Robert Erwin Borgstrom

1936 - 2025

Robert Erwin Borgstrom
Born: June 3, 1936
Died: November 9, 2025
Robert Erwin Borgstrom, 89, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025. He was born on June 3, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, and was the oldest son of the late Erwin and Myrtle (Sheehan) Borgstrom.
Everyone affectionately knew him as "Borgie," a man whose deep Catholic faith was guided by the priests and teachers of Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, where he graduated in 1954, and strengthened by the Christian Brothers of Lewis University. At Lewis, he played baseball for the legendary coach Gordie Gillespie, made lifelong friends, and graduated in 1959. During those college years, he met Priscilla McGrath, and they married in 1960–the start of a 65-year journey filled with faith and family–and always ended their days together in prayer. In that same year, Borgie proudly joined the U.S. Navy, where he was commissioned as an officer. Their early years of marriage were full of Naval adventures, most memorably a two-and-a-half-year station at Sangley Point in the Philippine Islands, where they welcomed their third and fourth children. Upon returning to Joliet, Illinois, Borgie joined his father-in-law, J.L. McGrath, at McGrath Office Equipment. Over the years, he and his four sons all worked there together–a source of great pride and several hilarious stories that became family favorites. He ran this business as he lived his life–with fairness, integrity, and generosity.
In 1965, Borgie and Priscilla moved to Morris, where they raised their eight children and fostered a "family first" outlook on life. Remarkably, Borgie made everyone feel like family–so much so that siblings often had to make room at the table(s) for neighbors and surprise guests, even during holiday dinners. Everyone was welcome in their home.
Borgie was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church and served on the school board for years. He was proud to have been a member of the board that chose the eventual, long-standing principal, Kim DesLauriers. He also loved coaching girls basketball for nearly a decade at ICS and strengthened the competitive spirit of all his players. Borgie was an avid fan of Morris Community High School athletics and never missed a chance to cheer on his children and grandchildren, in Illinois and Wisconsin, with his signature raspy voice. He also loved the Chicago Bears and is remembered for taking many local kids to their first games at Soldier Field.
Borgie had a passion for travel and loved planning extensive trips. One of his favorite memories was being photographed by Time magazine during his visit to China amid the Tiananmen Square student protests in 1989. He loved being wherever the action was.
For the past thirty years, other than his own home, working in his yard, or hanging with his kids and grandkids, Borgie's happiest times were winters with Priscilla in Gulf Shores, AL. There he woke early to make the first t-time of the day, fished, read, played cards, savored Priscilla's great cooking, and just enjoyed good times with the best of friends.
Borgie astonished us all by living a disciplined life: up by 6 a.m., in bed by nine, exercising moderation, which added life to his years. He was all-time pitcher at grand kids' Wiffle-Ball games until he was 85. Walked for miles on the beach, swam in the Gulf, and played tennis into his 80s. He only slowed down around 8:30 each evening, and then in 2023. All who knew him would describe him as an adventurous man of great strength, humor, generosity, and was one of the best guys you could ever know.
Borgie was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, James Borgstrom. He is survived by Priscilla "Squib", his ideal wife of 65 years. Also surviving is his sister Marian and brother-in-law Robert Coady, and sister-in-law, Suzanne McGrath Whalen. Additionally, his eight children: Robert (Sarah) Borgstrom, Jeffrey Borgstrom, Marian (Joseph) Topp, Mark (Susan) Borgstrom, Christopher (Karen) Borgstrom, Sara (Eric) Davy, Joan (Gregory) Lines, and Kathryn (Ronald) Thomas–who are filled with gratitude for the love and guidance he provided. He also leaves a legacy of 31 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren who were each convinced they were his very favorite.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on November 29, 2025, at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church in Morris. Family will be welcoming guests at 9:30 a.m. As a final expression of generosity, Borgie has chosen to donate his body for anatomical research. Final internment will take place at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. In addition to taking a moment to offer a little prayer right now for our dear Borgie, please consider Immaculate Conception School as his preferred memorial.
For further information, please call Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, (815) 942-5040 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.