Joseph S. Peck

Joseph Peck was born in November 12, 1926, the son of Joseph Stephen Pecenansky and Margaret Siebert who immigrated from Banovce, Slovakia in 1922 and were married in Chicago. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Navy to fight in World War II. Joseph was stationed in Miami and was a part of the air fleet that protected the US Eastern shores. His job was top secret, handling a new invention at the time which would later be known as radar aboard the plane to track the enemy. After the war, he returned to Florida and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Miami. Next, he earned his Master’s Degree in engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology. From the late 1950s and until his retirement in the 1990s, Joseph worked for the State of Illinois as a Civil Engineer, building many of the roads and bridges throughout Northern Illinois, and Chicago. On June 19, 1954 he married Barbara Regina Fuhrman, who was his sweetheart and the love of his life. In 1962, the couple built their dream home in Park Ridge, Illinois, where they remained residents for the rest of their lives. A devoted husband for over 60 years, he affectionately looked after Barbara until her recent passing in October 2018. Known for his great sense of humor and timing, Joseph delighted in cracking jokes and loved to make people laugh. He lived life to the fullest. He was an avid golfer and especially enjoyed the 19 th hole . As a family man, he took pride in raising his three sons, taking care of the family’s beloved dogs, dining, and dancing with his wife Barbara. After retiring, he and his grandson were inseparable. He appreciated spending time at the family retreat in Marco Island, Florida where he savored being kissed by the sun while laying out on the beach. Joseph learned to play the violin at a young age and when he grew older became a big fan of music from the Big Band Era. Joseph will be missed by friends and family. He left a lasting and profound legacy through his three sons: Mark, Scott and Dale; daughter-in-law Tina, and his grandson Joey. Visitation Thursday, May 16, 4-8 p.m. at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge. Funeral Friday, prayers 10 a.m. at funeral home. Interment to follow in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine, IL.  

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