John H. Lenich

FUNERAL HOME

Blake Lamb Funeral Home - Oak Lawn

4727 West 103rd Street

Oak Lawn, Illinois

John Lenich Obituary

ENICH John H. Lenich age 83, Navy Vereran USS Enterprise CV6 Air Craft Carrier WWII. Belove dhusband of Loretta, nee Barton. Devoted fater of Suzette (James) Mahneke and John P. Dear brother of the late Joseph and Nicholas. Retired from Chicago Police Dept., 4th District and Youth Division and Member of VFW Post #5220. Please omit flowers. funeral Wednesday 9:15 a.m. from Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St., OakLawn to Christ the King Church for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.. Visitation Tuesday 3:00-9:00 p.m. For information call 708-636-1193.

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Published by SouthtownStar from Sep. 15 to Sep. 16, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Lenich

3 Entries

Bruce Tedone

September 27, 2008

I appreciate reading all these memories of John H. Lenich. I remember his sharp features, firm handshake, and joy for a good laugh. I feel like I'm back breathing the air back on the South Side of Chi town. I was a college friend of John P. and have been lucky enough to have stayed in touch. I still recall the three of us meeting at a San Francisco Hotel, and heading off to Berkeley to see a Nebraska football game. It was a hot day. We had to hike a long way up many steep stairs. Finally, John P. said enough. I was ready to head back to my home in San Luis Obispo, 200 miles South on California's Central Coast (and the greatest place to live that's not on the S. Side of Chicago). After catching our breaths, we made it to our seats. Cal was no match for Nebraska, and we ended up enjoying the game. We enjoyed a nice dinner a block from the hotel on North Point Street, a restaurant I have frequented a few times since. But the best part was a Cal fan held up a sign that read: Nebraska, you may have a better football team, but you're still going back to Nebraska. John H. thought that was hilarious.

I remember how happy he was celebrating John P.'s college graduation, and the joy in the house. I recall thinking that a Chicago cop shouldn't be this funny and fun to be with.

It is sad to lose another member of our greatest generation, but I have to believe that he lives on with all of us. Thank you for letting reminisce about this great man, and his great family.

KATHY SOJKA

September 16, 2008

DEAR MRS. LENICH, SUZETTE,JIM,AND JOHN, I WAS SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER MR. LENICH AS BEING VERY KIND AND HANDSOME. IT WAS SO VERY OBVIOUS HOW MUCH HE CHERISHED SUZETTE. WE BOTH WERE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE WONDERFUL FATHERS WHO THOUGHT WE WERE THE BEST....WHAT A GREAT GIFT. I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. PLEASE TAKE CARE,KATHY STASIK SOJKA

Michael Lenich

September 15, 2008

Dear Aunt Loretta, Cousins Suzette and John,

Our deepest and most sincere sympathies to you all.

"... the last of the Lenich brothers is now gone." Uncle John was the last connection to father, and he brilliantly kept that alive for me, and always brought a huge smile to my wife Linda's face whenever we saw him. The last time we did see him was around 2002 at a cafe in Beverly where I was playing guitar with friends in a band. He stayed the entire 2 hours and was just as gracious and pleasant as ever. Oh I can still see his smile and remember the hug he gave us.

Your parents were so wonderful to us, especially when my dad passed away in 1983. And when we started having annual lamb roasts, we were glad they were able to attend. They were so much fun! And it was fun catching glimpses of my father in Uncle John - in many ways, it was like having my dad with us again.

And I remember a cold November night, around 1969/1970, when my friends and I walked up to "Little Ray's Pizza" on Commercial Ave in South Chicago. We had ordered three of Ray's famous beef sandwich and were waiting while they were being prepared. And as we sat on top of an old steam radiator to keep warm, two Chicago Police Officers walked in to pick up their orders. And although I hadn't seem him in years, I didn't need a name badge to know one of the Officers was Uncle John. I had to say something, so I managed to walk over and introduce myself. It only took a split second before a huge smile came to his face and I remember well, he said, "Michael! How are you doing?!!?", as he shook my hand, and then said, "Are these your friends?", and walked over to meet and greet them. Wow, it was sooo nice how warm and friendly he was. We chatted briefly, then all our orders came up. He turned to Ray and said, "I got this - this is my nephew Michael!" He paid for all the sandwiches, shook my hand again, bid farewell and walked out the door. I remember it like it was yesterday... and I didn't see him again until 1983. although I used to hear about him whenever I'd get pulled over by a Chicago Cop...

It was the first year of the "Stop and Frisk" law and I was 16, looking like I was 12, so when I was driving with my friends, we routinely got pulled over to check my driver's license. They'd check me out, check out the car, then say, "You know John Lenich?" I'd say, "Yes sir, he's my uncle." And they'd say, "Well he's going to hear about this!" And I'd think, "Hear about what?!??"

Many years later, I told Uncle John about that and he always laughed saying, "Oooo we used to tell all the kids that!", and then he'd laugh some more. I'd say, "So they never told you?", and he'd say, "Nawww.." and laugh some more. ^_^

Thank you John for your note letting us know of Uncle John's passing. Thank you too for letting us know how pleased Uncle John was with the e-mails we'd send and Linda's latest book featuring a photo of my dad and yours when they were very small, growing up in South Chicago. Linda was so proud to have been able to use that photo your dad gave us when my dad passed in 1983 in her book. It is one of our favorite photos, and we so cherish it AND the moments of personal communication your dad relayed to us as he reached in his shirt pocket and gave it to us => "This is a favorite photo of me and your dad. We were so small then, I don't think we were over 6 years old. I want you to have it." And we immediately had it preserved and framed, and it has hung prominently on our wall since. So clear, the faces of your father and mine, and how tenderly you father is holding my father's shorter arm. And the airplane pedal car they were in... just a great all round photo. ^_^

Again, our deepest condolences to you all.

With much love, respect and appreciation,
Mike & Linda Lenich
105 W Danaher St, Unit 311
Ludington, MI 49431-2298
630-235-7098