Gerald W. "Jerry" Krygowski Sr.

Gerald "Jerry" W. Krygowski, Sr., Age 70, passed away on October 29, 2025.
Gerald Wayne Krygowski, known affectionately to his friends and family as Jerry, brought laughter and love into our world from the moment he was born on February 7, 1955, in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. His unexpected departure on October 29, 2025, due to a massive stroke, has left us with cherished memories and the echo of his hearty chuckles.
Jerry was the kind of man who could light up a room with his quick wit and easy smile. He was a loving husband to his wife, Nancy Krygowski, a dedicated father to his sons, Gerald Jr. (who preceded him in death) and Jeffrey, his girlfriend Rebeckah, and a doting grandfather to Jeffrey's kids, Alaina and Ryan. His daughter, Jillian Tzounos, her husband, Nikolas, and their children, Kyra and Dean, will deeply miss his funny stories and granddad jokes at family gatherings.
Jerry's intelligence was anything but ordinary. For over 40 years, he was part of the backbone of the city, keeping people moving up and down as an Elevator Mechanic and proud member of Local 2 in the Constructor's union. His colleagues knew him as a man who could defuse any tense situation with a well-timed quip or a perfectly recounted anecdote from his wealth of experiences.
His interests were as varied as his tool collection. Whether he was dominating the golf course with his unorthodox swing, rolling a strike in bowling with the finesse of a man who knew the lanes like the back of his hand, outbluffing the best of them in poker, or turning a simple piece of wood into a work of art, Jerry embraced life's pleasures with joy and gusto.
The words that best described Jerry - funny, handy, loving - only scratch the surface of a man who was a jester, a craftsman, and a beacon of love all rolled into one. His ability to turn the mundane into the extraordinary with his crafts was only matched by his skill to tell a tale that would leave you believing he had missed his calling as a stand-up comedian. Yet, there was no stage he preferred more than the one provided by his family's adoration and the company of good friends.
As we bid farewell to Jerry, we're comforted by the thought of him cracking jokes and charming angels with that twinkle in his eye. He leaves behind a legacy of humor, craftsmanship, and an unyielding zest for life that will continue to inspire all who were lucky enough to know him. Gerald Wayne Krygowski, a man who never needed a microphone to be the life of the party, has taken his final bow to rapturous applause from an audience that will miss him dearly.
Visitation, Sunday, November 2, 2025, 3:00PM to 7:00PM at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, Illinois.
Funeral, Sunday, November 2, 2025, 5:00PM Service and Time of Remembrance to be held at the funeral home.
Cremation rites to be accorded. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald "Jerry", please visit our floral store.