John Anthony Janis
Services
Obituary
John Anthony Janis, of Brookfield, Illinois - Father, Brother, Friend, Scholar, Athlete – passed to eternal life on July 18, 2018, in a senseless and tragic car crash near Flomaton, Alabama. He was 54.
Johnny’s entire life was a victory lap. Born prematurely on January 26, 1964, at Our Lady of Loretto Hospital in Chicago, “Pee Wee” was in critical condition, and almost died within his first few hours. For the last several years, Johnny was plagued with a succession of serious illnesses, many of which should have killed him, yet he persevered through every sickness with faith and fortitude, a positive outlook and irrepressible humor, which were an inspiration to his family and friends
Johnny grew up in the Grant Works neighborhood of Cicero, Illinois. From an early age, he developed a passion for both watching and playing sports, of which baseball was his clear favorite. He excelled as a first baseman, and his “cat- like” reflexes, hand-eye coordination, remarkable flexibility and steady glove, readily translated to make him a legendary street hockey goaltender as well. Although a “Southsider,” by birth, he was a lifelong, fanatic follower of the Chicago Cubs, a chronic mental illness which plagued him until his death. His stoic demeanor and fortitude in the face of adversity and set back, were no doubt byproducts of this unrequited love for the Cubs, which was finally reciprocated in kind on November 2, 2016.
Johnny was a Life Scout in BSA Troop 302, Cicero, Illinois, where he first acquired a taste for the “tonic of wildness.” He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and served for many years on the staff of Owasippe Scout Reservation, “America’s Premiere Scout Camp,” where he was much beloved by campers and staff alike, and where he forged lifelong memories and friendships. Being essentially a “big kid” his entire life, he was able to relate to, and empathize with, young people in a unique way which was inspirational and life-changing.
Johnny possessed a genius-level intellect, and encyclopedic recall of facts- both profound and mundane- which were virtually unheard-of prior to the invention of smartphones and Google. He effortlessly excelled in every scholastic setting, and his genius was first recognized when he was promoted directly from first to third grade at Roosevelt Elementary School, forcing his brother Billy to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life lest he be lapped. Johnny graduated from Fenwick High School and DePaul University with high academic honors. Of late, he has applied his unique command of facts, figures, names and dates to vanquishing all challengers on Trivia Night at Brixie’s.
Johnny loved the Cubs, the Beatles, the Cubs, DC Comics, street hockey, the Cubs, the Blackhawks, fitted ball caps (preferably with Cubs logo), the Cubs, Portillo’s, the Friendly Confines, the Cubs, baseball jerseys with any old logo (so long as it is the Cubs), painting, and the Cubs, not necessarily in that order.
Johnny’s greatest love however was reserved for his sons Timmy and Trevor, and most especially, for “the apple of his eye,” his beloved daughter Maddie. He was a tender and devoted Dad who only wanted the very best for all his kids, and whose only serious regret in life was that his failing health rendered him progressively unable to do even more for them.
His devotion to family extended to his parents, Robert Gerald Janis and Marjorie Ann Saine, both of blessed memory, his brothers Michael and Bill, his nephews and nieces Rachel, Robert, Colton and Dominique, and innumerable uncles, aunts and cousins.
Due to the sudden and unexpected nature of Johnny’s passing, we were unable to fulfill his wish that the Chicago Cubs bullpen serve as his pallbearers, so they could let him down one last time….Eamus Catuli!
In Paradisum deducant te Angeli….
Visitation: Tuesday, July 24, 2018 from 3 P.M. to 8 P.M. and Wednesday July 25, 2018 from 9 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, Illinois 60513. Funeral Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 10 A.M. Mass St. Louise de Marillac Church, LaGrange Park.
Interment St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to: The Madeline Kathleen Janis Education Fund C/O Jennifer Lee Lapacek 9138 Sheridan Ave Brookfield, Illinois 60513. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
Johnny’s entire life was a victory lap. Born prematurely on January 26, 1964, at Our Lady of Loretto Hospital in Chicago, “Pee Wee” was in critical condition, and almost died within his first few hours. For the last several years, Johnny was plagued with a succession of serious illnesses, many of which should have killed him, yet he persevered through every sickness with faith and fortitude, a positive outlook and irrepressible humor, which were an inspiration to his family and friends
Johnny grew up in the Grant Works neighborhood of Cicero, Illinois. From an early age, he developed a passion for both watching and playing sports, of which baseball was his clear favorite. He excelled as a first baseman, and his “cat- like” reflexes, hand-eye coordination, remarkable flexibility and steady glove, readily translated to make him a legendary street hockey goaltender as well. Although a “Southsider,” by birth, he was a lifelong, fanatic follower of the Chicago Cubs, a chronic mental illness which plagued him until his death. His stoic demeanor and fortitude in the face of adversity and set back, were no doubt byproducts of this unrequited love for the Cubs, which was finally reciprocated in kind on November 2, 2016.
Johnny was a Life Scout in BSA Troop 302, Cicero, Illinois, where he first acquired a taste for the “tonic of wildness.” He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and served for many years on the staff of Owasippe Scout Reservation, “America’s Premiere Scout Camp,” where he was much beloved by campers and staff alike, and where he forged lifelong memories and friendships. Being essentially a “big kid” his entire life, he was able to relate to, and empathize with, young people in a unique way which was inspirational and life-changing.
Johnny possessed a genius-level intellect, and encyclopedic recall of facts- both profound and mundane- which were virtually unheard-of prior to the invention of smartphones and Google. He effortlessly excelled in every scholastic setting, and his genius was first recognized when he was promoted directly from first to third grade at Roosevelt Elementary School, forcing his brother Billy to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life lest he be lapped. Johnny graduated from Fenwick High School and DePaul University with high academic honors. Of late, he has applied his unique command of facts, figures, names and dates to vanquishing all challengers on Trivia Night at Brixie’s.
Johnny loved the Cubs, the Beatles, the Cubs, DC Comics, street hockey, the Cubs, the Blackhawks, fitted ball caps (preferably with Cubs logo), the Cubs, Portillo’s, the Friendly Confines, the Cubs, baseball jerseys with any old logo (so long as it is the Cubs), painting, and the Cubs, not necessarily in that order.
Johnny’s greatest love however was reserved for his sons Timmy and Trevor, and most especially, for “the apple of his eye,” his beloved daughter Maddie. He was a tender and devoted Dad who only wanted the very best for all his kids, and whose only serious regret in life was that his failing health rendered him progressively unable to do even more for them.
His devotion to family extended to his parents, Robert Gerald Janis and Marjorie Ann Saine, both of blessed memory, his brothers Michael and Bill, his nephews and nieces Rachel, Robert, Colton and Dominique, and innumerable uncles, aunts and cousins.
Due to the sudden and unexpected nature of Johnny’s passing, we were unable to fulfill his wish that the Chicago Cubs bullpen serve as his pallbearers, so they could let him down one last time….Eamus Catuli!
In Paradisum deducant te Angeli….
Visitation: Tuesday, July 24, 2018 from 3 P.M. to 8 P.M. and Wednesday July 25, 2018 from 9 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, Illinois 60513. Funeral Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 10 A.M. Mass St. Louise de Marillac Church, LaGrange Park.
Interment St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to: The Madeline Kathleen Janis Education Fund C/O Jennifer Lee Lapacek 9138 Sheridan Ave Brookfield, Illinois 60513. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com