Seymour H. Persky, age 92. Preceded in death by his beloved son Jonathan E. Persky. Cherished father of Abby Persky (Robert Delforge). Doting grandfather of Madeleine and Connor Delforge. Devoted companion of Bonnie Gilman. Adored father figure to Paul Gilman and Ralph Gilman and grandfather figure to Howard and Ricki Gilman. Treasured uncle and cousin to many. Co-founder of Parliament Enterprises, Ltd. Seymour was a lawyer, real estate developer and ardent architectural preservationist. He was extremely committed to charitable causes both Jewish and secular. Seymour was a long-term member of Roosevelt University's Board of Trustees, a member of the DePaul University College of Law, and the Dean's Advisory Council and DePaul's Endowment Board. He was a governing member of the Art Institute of Chicago and served on the Board of Overseers of the ITT School of Architecture and a member of the City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks. Within the Jewish community, Seymour had numerous leadership roles including Jewish United Fund, Jewish National Fund, The American Jewish Congress, Israel Bonds, and the Chicago Loop Synagogue. He also served on the Boards of the Israel Cancer Research Foundation, the Anti-Defamation League, Friends of the IDF, Skokie Valley Synagogue, YIVO, National Jewish Theater, Ida Crown Jewish Academy, Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School, Arie Crown Day School, Associated Talmud Torahs of Chicago and the Hillels of Illinois. Seymour was also recognized for creating the term "Wrigleyville" to describe the residential area surrounding Wrigley Field. Services will be held Wed. March 25 10:00 am at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home 111 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette. Interment will follow at Waldheim Cemetery 1400 Des Plaines Ave, Forest Park. Info: 847-256-5700 In lieu of flowers, contributions in Seymour's memory may be made to Chicago Community Kollel 6506 N California, Chicago, IL 60645 773-262-9400 or the Society of Architectural Historians, 1365 N Astor St, Chicago, 60610 312-573-1365 www.sah.org.

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Published by Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication from Mar. 24 to Mar. 25, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Seymour Persky

19 Entries

Tom Jacobs

February 9, 2025

It was about 1973 and it was raining and snowing near The First National Bank of Chicago building. I finally got a cab, opened the door and Seymour, a man I did not know jumped in in front of me! Nice move, actually. We got to talking, and met for lunch the following week. He paid as I paid for the cab dropping him off first! What a guy. So direct, so experienced, so interesting. Tom Jacobs, Vero Beach, Fl.

Barry Kennedy

January 3, 2016

I have always remembered Mr.Persky ever since I worked directly through/with him in 1971 while stripping and restoring an old brownstone/brick apartment building.
I am sure Chicago will miss Mr. Persky but remember him through the architectural projects he has inspired and left for us to cherish.
I will always remember Seymour as my boss in a job that I was affected by to this day.

Barry Kennedy 63
Cape Cod/Block Island

Keith Bringe

April 21, 2015

Seymour was a unique and invaluable character who embodied Chicago's story. There will never be another like him.

Oliver Null

April 19, 2015

I want to thank Seymour for his civic nature. He was one who shared his wisdom and wealth with the public.

March 27, 2015

I have many wonderful memories of Seymour but two stand out - the first is our lunches where we would trade jokes and speak in Yiddish. The second is his generosity when it came , to many things, but in my world, to the Chicago YIVO Society and the programming that we bring to our public.

Jake Morowitz

Dawn Skiba /Persky

March 26, 2015

I am very sorry to hear of the lost of a wonderful person and soul. I wish that I would have had the opportunity to know him and his family better.I send my condolences to family and friends.

March 26, 2015

I remember Seymour's first (??) building for Parliament Enterprises on Belden and Sheffield in DePaul and the big one on Addison west of Halsted. He taught an adult education class for the Sisters of St. Vincent DePaul on real estate at their Halsted & Belden Ave. facility. I attended, learned a lot and bought in DePaul, too. We were pioneers in the neighborhood's re-birth in the early 70's. Look at it now ! Thanks, Seymour. Sympathy to all his family.

Richard Sklenar and the former "Ribbett Enterprises" real estate partners.

Gayle Rose Wilson Shparago Epstein

March 26, 2015

I am so sad to hear that Mr Persky a very special man has left us He was so kind to a little neighbor girl who almost lived in his Skokie home, always there having play dates with Aba - Gail and Jonathan. I will forever love the name That was affectionately given to me by Mr and Mrs Persky.

Love, Gayle Rose Wilson / Shparago / Epstein

March 26, 2015

I WORKED WITH SEYMOUR FOR MANY YEARS.HE WAS A BRILLIANT KIND BENEFACTOR FOR MANY ORGANIZATIONS.IT WAS A THRILL KNOWING HIM
RAY AND MARLYNN FLEISCHER

Tara Harris (Persky)

March 25, 2015

I never had the opportunity to get to know Seymour and the rest of the Persky side of my family but always wanted to. I send my sincere condolences to the family there will always be a special place In my heart for all of you. Love, Tara

March 25, 2015

Seymour has lived a eventful and prosperous life. He has given much to Chicago and his friends and family. God Bless. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Pat Klebba (Persky)

Joyce Leviton Asher

March 24, 2015

My deepest sympathy for the loss of an amazing man. His compassion knew no limit.
I will miss calling him on May 22, our shared birth date.
Rest in peace dear Seymour
May his memory be a blessing

March 24, 2015

Seymour was a very special member of the Tribe, He will be missed and eternally remembered. Shelly Stern (Boychik)

Marc Swatez

March 24, 2015

Mr. Persky was a good friend and benefactor to The ARK and will be remembered by us for generations to come. Baruch Dayan Emet.

Renee (Buny Beider) Coyle

March 24, 2015

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

March 24, 2015

we will miss our dear friend and his joy for living..dinni and merwin

Bob Fitzgerald

March 24, 2015

My sympathy to the Persky and Gilman families. Seymour was a true friend, a man of deep faith, a mensch. Tutorials from him and his dear friend Danny Newman on Yiddish Theater are, and will remain, among my fondest memories. His kindness and generosity affected the hearts of many and will be with us forever.

March 24, 2015

Seymour the world will miss you your frienship to me will never be forgotten. Norm Unterberger

William Dunn

March 24, 2015

Sorry to hear about your loss. I always admired the charity and giving your father brought to the community.

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