PAUL C. KOTECKI

1947 - 2014

BUFFALO GROVE - Memorial visitation for Paul C. Kotecki, 66, of Buffalo Grove for 16 years, will be held Sunday, June 1, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL 60067. Paul was born August 10, 1947 in Chicago and he passed away unexpectedly May 24, 2014 in Buffalo Grove. Paul graduated from Maine Township High School East in Park Ridge in 1966 and later attended the DeVry Institute in Chicago. In 1968 he went to work for Middle States Telephone Company, later Central Telephone Company, where he held the positions of lineman, cable splicer, PBX tech, and manager of assignments. Paul left Centel to join a start-up telephone company and then went to work for Helix Camera as facilities manager for their six stores until his retirement. Paul was the fixer of all things and the go-to-guy for neighbors, friends, and family. He was an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, a mechanic, and an expert craftsman in woodworking and machining. Paul loved clocks and radios and computers and was a techno-geek, always staying on top of the latest trends in electronics. He was also a talented photographer and loved the family's annual Thanksgiving and Christmas photos. Paul traveled the world over for deep sea diving trips and was a biking enthusiast for many years. Paul is dearly loved and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Machell K. (nee Geissler) Kotecki, step-daughter, Christi (Carlos) Nunez; grandchildren, Matthew, Jessica and Rebecca Nunez; brother, Stan (Lisa DuBrock) Kotecki; and sister Theresa Kotecki. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Alvis Kotecki. Memorials may be made to Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279, Baltimore, Maryland 21298-9581. For information, call the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, Palatine, at 847-358-7411, or visit www.ahlgrimffs.com.