Richard Gaska

Richard "Rick" Alan Gaska, 62, of Montgomery, Illinois passed away on November 29th, 2024 following a battle with pneumonia and younger-onset Alzheimer's Disease.

Rick was born on July 16th, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois; the son of Richard and Nancy (Sokolowski) Gaska and the oldest of four children, his siblings Gail, Cathy, and Marty. Growing up, Rick enjoyed playing sports, especially baseball and hockey with neighborhood friends. Rick, a proud Bulldog, attended Wauconda High School where he became friends with David Carlino, his lifelong best friend. Rick graduated from Wauconda High School in 1980 and went on to Monmouth College.

In college, Rick studied Physics and Business. He was an active member of the greek fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, or ZBT, where he met his future wife, Denise (Huntley) Gaska. Rick graduated with a degree in Business in May 1987. Rick and Denise were married on July 25th, 1987, at Rozetta Baptist Church in Little York, Illinois, with Rob Langworthy, chaplain of Monmouth College, officiating.

Rick was a loving and selfless husband of 37 years, Denise's rock and beloved life partner. Rick and Denise raised their family of three children, Carol Marie, Sophie, and Jae, in Morris, Illinois, for twenty years. Rick loved being a dad, and was deeply proud of his children. He was a volunteer of his children's sports teams, attending music recitals, concerts, and performances without fail. He was a devoted dad, and his humor, intelligence, and easy-going way made a warm and loving home.

Rick's faith in Christ was a significant part of his life. He lived out his faith through service and love for his neighbor. Rick was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Morris, where he served in a variety of capacities, including sound booth, Sunday school, youth group, Appalachia Service Project, and more. As a cancer survivor, he helped lead the church Relay for Life fundraising team for many years. One of his most meaningful roles as part of FUMC was his work in Stephen's Ministry where he administered care to fellow church members through grief and hard times. His ministry and volunteer work in the Morris community was extensive, serving at We Care of Grundy County, Grundy PADS, Morris Soccer Association Board, Morris High School band boosters, and countless other ways he stepped up; a life marked by service.

Rick's career was primarily in logistics and he was part of the RR Donnelley and LSC Communications team in Bolingbrook for seventeen years. He enjoyed recreational softball, the local YMCA, and even made his debut on the Morris Theatre Guild stage. Rick enjoyed watching the Blackhawks and the Bears on the weekends with his family and friends.

In his years living in Ames, Iowa, he treasured his volunteer time at Food at First food pantry, giving rich significance in his life in the years post-career as he struggled with the impacts of dementia. Rick and Denise enjoyed their community in Ames, where Rick was part of the Kiwanis Club and served on their HOA board. Watching his daughter, Sophie, raise his granddaughter, Toviana, was the sparkling highlight of Rick's time in Ames.

After three years in Ames, Rick and Denise returned to Illinois and became part of the Resurrection Church of the Fox Valley in Aurora, where their son-in-law, Jake, serves as the Discipleship Pastor.

Remaining to cherish Rick's memory are his wife, Denise (Huntley) Gaska, his children Carol Marie (Jacob) O'Marrah, Sophie (Thomas) Johnson, and Jae Gaska; Granddaughter Toviana Johnson; parents Richard and Nancy Gaska, father-in-law Clarence Huntley; siblings Gail (John) Suffredin, Cathleen (Patrick) Oriatti, Martin (Kimberly) Gaska; nephews Steve Suffredin and Kevin Suffredin, and nieces Morgan Walker, Rachel Oriatti, Megan Gaska, Jacquelyn Huntley, and Alison Huntley Stonecypher. He will be missed by beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as by his best friend David Carlino with his children Katie and Allison.

Preceding Rick in death are his mother-in-law Carol (Campbell) Huntley, brother-in-law Doug Huntley, and nephew Jacob Oriatti.

Visitation will be held December 6th, 2024 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Resurrection Church of the Fox Valley in Aurora, IL, and Memorial Service will be held December 7th at 10:30am at Resurrection Church of the Fox Valley, with dear family friend and Sophie's father-in-law, Pastor Steve Johnson of First Covenant Church of Mason City, presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rick's memory may be directed to Food at First in Ames, IA or the First United Methodist Church of Morris, IL, to be used for Stephen's Ministry needs.