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Gary Michael Hand

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Posted By Hitzeman Funeral Home On December 20, 2013 @ 12:25 pm In Obituary | 14 Comments

Gary Michael Hand, age 68, of Elmhurst, formerly of La Grange Park. Vietnam Navy Veteran. Beloved husband of Alexandria Hand, nee James; dear father of Michelle (Dean) Maggos and Denise (Ed) Hovorka; loving grandfather of John Maggos, Michael Maggos and Alex Maggos; brother of Rochelle Lock, Tom (Jane) Hand, Don (Sharon) Hand, Barbara Hand, Ken Hand and Terry Hand ; uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Friday, December 27, 2013 from 3:00 P.M. until Time of Service 8:00 P.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd. 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Interment Private. Memorials appreciated to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital [1], 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or American Cancer Society [2], 225 N. Michigan Ave.,  Chicago, IL 60601. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com [3]

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Condolences for the family of “Gary Michael Hand”

Condolence from Rene Guhrs and Family on December 20th, 2013 3:39 pm

Sandra and Family , my deepest sympathy to all of you from all of us.
Words can not say what I feel.
May you all find comfort in the love that surrounds you and the caring words of friends!
Sincerely
Rene ,Pete and Pat

Condolence from Tom and Patty Bailey on December 20th, 2013 5:36 pm

Aunt Sandra and family, I am so sorry about your loss. It’s a shock and something that can’t be explained. I have so many good memories of Gary. Started with the visits to the house in LaGrange Park when Patty and I were first dating. I loved your Dad, especially his sense of humor.

He’ll be missed but please know that you all are loved and that Gary is in a better place. No pains and no worries.

Tom and Patty,

Condolence from Dave & Nan Wheaton on December 21st, 2013 4:49 am

Sandy, We are so sorry to learn of Gary’s passing. We had such fun with the two of you at the Hunley Reunion in Norfolk several years ago and were looking forward to seeing you two again at another get together. Know that you and your family are in our prayers!!

Condolence from Shannon Soger on December 21st, 2013 1:15 pm

I’m so sorry for your loss Michelle and family. May you all find comfort in knowing Gary is at peace with God. Heaven has another angel looking over us.
Lots of Love,
Shannon Soger
School District 100

Condolence from Nicole and Jeff, and the boys on December 21st, 2013 3:14 pm

We love you Uncle Gary!!! We will miss you always, and have these really happy memories of you, my dad (Don), and your twin brother, Terry, always goofing off and hysterically laughing together, having these inside jokes that no one else understood. That always puts a smile on my face. Rest in peace, and lots of love and hugs to everyone who loves you, xx

Condolence from Dr James and Nancy Discipio on December 23rd, 2013 2:43 pm

Michelle and Chief, Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jim and Nancy Discipio

Condolence from Sue (will) lautermilch on December 26th, 2013 7:39 pm

Michelle
So sorry to hear of your loss
My condolences go out to you and your
Family
Sue lautermilch

Condolence from Josephine on December 27th, 2013 10:12 am

Michelle my love and prayers to you and your family. You are in my thoughts. Love Jo

Condolence from Dan Juday on December 27th, 2013 2:18 pm

I am very sorry to hear of Gary’s journey to be with our heavenly Father. I worked in the same department with Gary for a number of years at International. He was always the perfect gentleman with a smile on his face and a good sense of humor. Our prayers are with his family in their time of need.

Dan & Marcia Juday

Condolence from Ino Han on December 27th, 2013 4:53 pm

I am sad to hear of his latest news.
We worked number of years at the Melrose Park Plant with fun & diesel smell.
He was a fine person with great sense of humor.
We’ll going to miss him dearly.
Love, Ino

Condolence from Chuck & Kathi Parisi on December 28th, 2013 9:27 am

Michelle, Sandra, Don, Terry, please
accept our prayers and condolences.

I have great memories of getting to know Gary and his family at Christmas and New Years celebrations at Don and Sharons.

Condolence from Kraus Family on December 29th, 2013 10:30 pm

Please accept our belated prayers and sympathies. It is a tremendous loss and our thoughts are with you all of you.

Condolence from Jim Schlusemann on January 1st, 2014 12:12 pm

Gary Hand was my Industrial Engineering supervisor at Navistar, a cherished friend – smart, funny, giving teacher and great to be around. His companionship was greatly enjoyed and appreciated and he will be sorely missed.

He guided my career, starting in my mid 20’s when we first met at Navistar. I was in my late twenties, Gary late 30’s. I recall teasing him about being old and in his 30’s. Our birthdays were spaced such that when I turned 30, Gary was 39 for four more months. Gary keyed in on that and often reminded me through my 20’s that we would both be in our 30’s together soon! We repeated this inside joke in our 40’s, 50’s and soon would have done so for our 60’s. I’m so sad that this private joke of ours now ends.

At Navistar, Gary gave me key guidance in those early formative years of my career that stayed with me and were a foundation for successes I had afterwards. He taught me never to bring a problem to your bosses office without also bringing some possible solutions to be discussed. I used that advice and it helped me very much in my career. I remember him telling me how he would wake up early before work every day and read Civil War history books. He also told me many stories of his time in the Navy. He was a great story / history teller and used that skill when teaching and guiding me at work.

We spent some time on my boat on the Chain-o-Lakes in the mid-80’s. I recall being on the boat with Gary during a thunderstorm once. The lightening worried me – I recall jumping a few times after a loud, close clap of thunder. Gary told me in a relaxed manner “you don’t have to worry about those thunder claps. They aren’t yours. You won’t hear the one that kills you!” So ??relaxing?? of him!

Sandy, Michelle, Denise and family I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that memories of Gary’s great life provide you with some comfort in this sad time.

Jim Schlusemann
(Retired) Engine Group Chief Information Officer
Navistar, Inc.

Condolence from Tam and Nancy James on January 7th, 2014 3:28 pm

Sandra, Michelle and Denise, Thinking about you in your time of sorrow.
Gary wasn’t just a Brother-in-Law to us, he was more like a brother. We had so many good times on vacation with the family Gary was a very interesting person his knowledge and the stories he told us some informative, some very funny. He had a great sense of humour and will be sadly missed.
Tam and Nancy (Scotland, U.K.)

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[1] St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=13805&pID=24591&sc_cid=kwp7479&sc_kw=st%20jude%20children

[2] American Cancer Society: https://donate.cancer.org/index

[3] www.HitzemanFuneral.com: https://www.hitzemanfuneral.comwww.HitzemanFuneral.com

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