Stephen Stasenko Stack

Longtime Lincoln Park resident, Stephen "Steve" Stasenko Stack, passed away surrounded by love on October 9, 2021, in his hometown of Erie, PA. He was 87.

After graduating from Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie in 1956, Steve attended Case Institute of Technology (later known as Case Western Reserve University) in Cleveland. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi, Theta Tau, Blue Key and Pi Delta Epsilon. Steve graduated from Case in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME).

In his 30s, Steve discovered a passion for travel. If he wasn't traveling for business, he was traveling for pleasure. He was one of the proud purchasers of Pan Am's around-the-world ticket. His travels took him from India, where he met Prime Minister Nehru, to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, where he met Jane Fonda.

After a distinguished career in mechanical engineering, Steve purchased Wrigleyville-based SeamCraft, Inc. in 1976. At the time, he described his new venture as, "an industrial sewing company producing 'low-tech' accessories for 'hi-tech' products." The company was one of the great loves of his life and he served as its president until he sold it to a group of treasured employees in 2014.

In the late 1970s, Steve purchased a Victorian townhome in the McCormick Seminary on the DePaul campus in Lincoln Park. The historic domicile would serve as his home base and the source of many happy moments and memories for the next 45 years.

Steve was an active and involved Chicago resident. He was a member and served on the board of Lake Shore Ski Club. He was also a regular at the club's local social events. While skiing filled the winters, Steve packed summers with tennis and sailing. He served on the board of the Fullerton Tennis Club in Lincoln Park for nearly 15 years. Steve was also a multi-decade member of the Corinthian and Chicago Yacht Clubs.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, Steve became a highly respected voice of advocacy for small business owners in Illinois. His advocacy took him from Springfield to Washington DC. He was frequently quoted in local and national publications and was a sought-after expert on the rewards and challenges of small business ownership.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents as well as the love of his life – his wife, Lois Sims Stack. He is survived by his Stasenko-Sasala and Baranowski double cousins and cousins, his stepdaughter, Amy Dugdale, son-in-law, Alexis, twin grandchildren, Luke and Sophia, dear cat, Oreo, and a large circle of longtime neighbors and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following organizations in Steve's honor – The Village Chicago or The Tree House Humane Society.

For more information about Steve and memorial services planned, please visit https://stevestack.org/.