John J. "Jack" Blazejak Jr.

1939 - 2025

John J. 'Jack' Blazejak Jr
Born: November 29, 1939
Died: October 11, 2025
John J. "Jack" Blazejak Jr, age 85 of Sandwich, IL, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, IL. He was born in Blue Island, IL on November 29, 1939, the son of John J. and Martha (Kletzke) Blazejak Sr.
Jack grew up in the south suburbs. He worked as a golf caddie putting himself through Saint Rita High School, where he graduated from in 1957.
At 21, he started a 14-year journey of night school which culminated in 1974 with a bachelor's degree from Elmhurst College. In 1975, he was appointed quality engineer at Abbott Labs in the Hospital Products Division. The late 1970s saw Jack taking an active role with the American Society for Quality Control, serving as chairman of the Chicago section, and later director of education. Following his 1980 graduation from the Keller Graduate School of Management, he was promoted to manager of quality engineering, and later to quality consultant.
In 1981, he started his own business, the Management Institute of Chicago where he taught quality control courses and seminars around the country. He continued to teach until retiring in 2001.
In 2002, Jack obtained his substitute teacher license, and in 2013, he received his paraprofessional certificate. In his 'retirement' he taught in the Plano, IL school district up to 2 months before his passing. From grade schools to the special education classrooms of Plano High School he loved teaching - whether it was to scientists and pillars of industry or math to 4th graders.
Jack is the author of, "Quality Resource Management" (1998) and "Emily and the Curious Ones Uncover Fractions" (2021).
He enjoyed ballroom dancing and cake decorating - especially known for his famous peanut butter and jelly cake.
He loved Mickey Mouse.
He loved sports and was an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox, the Green Bay Packers ,and for the last year and a half, the Iowa State Cyclones.
His love of his family and loyalty to his friends was unparalleled.
He had a wonderful heart filled with humility and generosity. He always saw the best in people. He was always the optimist and always the one to challenge the status quo and think outside the box.
Jack was the biggest supporter of his daughters and granddaughters in the adventures and mishaps through this thing we call life.
He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his daughters, Mary Walters of LaGrange, IL and Anne Tomlinson of Sandwich, IL; his grandchildren, Emily Tomlinson of Crestwood, IL and Kate Tomlinson of Sandwich, IL; his siblings, Bill (Marcia) Blazejak of North Aurora, IL and Geri (Leonard) Vavra of Mountain Home, AR; as well as his many nieces and nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Martha Blazejak Sr.; his two sisters and their husbands, Maryann (Harry) Hand and Betty (George) Maish; and his son-in-law Jay Tomlinson.
A celebration of his life will be held on October 26th, 2025, from 1 to 7 pm at the Fox Valley Community Center, located at 1406 Suydam Road in Sandwich, IL. If you'd like, please wear Mickey Mouse attire.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, you may donate in his name to the Saint Rita High School Annual Appeal for Tuition Assistance - 7740 S. Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60620 - www.stritahs.com
Arrangements made by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or 815-786-6461.