Category: Tributes

Jesus Villagomez, a truck driver who spent 38 years with Corn Products International and devoted his life to family and faith, died May 15 in Justice. He was 91.

Michael Edward Polinski, a teacher in Germany who was known for his kindness, curiosity and gift for connecting with young children, died April 16, 2026, in Germany. He was 33.

Theresa M. Piwowar, a dedicated parish secretary at Saint Blase Church in Summit for many years, died May 9, 2026. She was 75.

Miguel “Mike” Gallaga, a devoted husband and father whose quiet strength and steady faith guided his family through decades of life together, died May 8, 2026, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois. He was 85.

Sebastian Borzęcki, a south side Chicago native who built a career as a real estate and automotive photographer and was known for his creativity, warmth and loyalty, died May 16, 2026, in Justice, Illinois. He was 43.

Thaddeus J. “Ted” Bojanowski Jr., a Summit resident who served as the village’s Community Development Director and was a respected attorney and civic leader, died May 15, 2026. He was 91.

Theresa Mary Regalado Flores, a Pilsen resident who raised 12 children and became the matriarch of a sprawling family spanning four generations, died April 24, 2026, in Chicago. She was 87.

Mike J. Kulaga, a Channahon resident who spent most of his life in Chicago, died May 16, 2026. He was 95.

Jose Victor Hernandez, a Chicago entrepreneur and political operative who rose from aldermanic aide to co-founder of multiple consulting and construction firms, died May 9 in Chicago. He was 36.

Janina Mikowski, a Polish immigrant who came to America as a teenager and spent decades as a seamstress and retail worker while raising three children, died May 13 in Palos Heights, Illinois. She was 77.