Kenneth E. Macek

Kenneth E. Macek, 87, of Wheaton, Illinois passed away peacefully Friday, May 26, 2023.
Ken was born on October 4th, 1935 in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania to Florence McCoy Macek and Matthew Macek. He was the eldest son and big brother to six brothers and sisters. His father owned Macek Brothers Construction, and installed guardrails on the PA Turnpike when it was first built; his mother was a homemaker.
Ken grew up in McKees Rocks and was an avid soccer player and horseback rider through college and beyond. He graduated college from Slippery Rock University and received a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Over his 50 years in education, he was a high school teacher, assistant principal, principal and soon thereafter in his first superintendent role. He retired from public education after 24 years as the superintendent of Jefferson-Morgan School District in Greene County. To no one's surprise he found retirement unfilling, and accepted "the best retirement job in the world" as principal of Cardinal Wright Regional School in the North Side of Pittsburgh for the next 10 years. Ken felt a calling to education - his love for his schools and relationships with teachers, staff and his families is one of the many things that brought him joy.
The most important part of Ken's life was his family. He met his wife and best friend, Catherine (Kay) Ridge Macek, at a dance when he was twenty and she was eighteen. They married in
1960 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before Kay's passing in 2011. Together they made countless memories and shared many milestones including building their house in Fox Chapel, riding their horses Sheba and Rocket, welcoming their son and daughter to the world, hosting a huge annual New Year's Day party, embarking on summer family road trips to the Jersey shore with many family friends, and traveling the world together, including three trips to Wuhan, China, to name just a few.
Ken could talk to anyone about anything and he easily made friends. He was fiercely loyal and followed his moral compass in all he did in work and life. He had an impressive green thumb and enjoyed Saturday mornings while riding his lawnmower and putting to work any friends Ken and Joyce had sleeping over. His most impressive hobby was his model train structure in his basement. When Kay wouldn't allow him to use any more floor space, his solution was to build up, which was the start of his working model ski resort. He loved all the Pittsburgh sports teams, enjoyed so many hockey games with Kay, attended an impressive number of his children's sporting events for many years and took loving care of the family sheepdogs, Brutus and then Bentley.
Ken was a devoted husband, father and grandpa (pap pap). Ken and Kay worked tirelessly to provide all they could for their son, Ken, and daughter, Joyce. Eventually, their four grandchildren became the center of their world. Ken moved to Wheaton, Il in 2012 to be close to his son's family after Kay's passing. An educator at heart, he joined the St. Michael Parish School's school board in Wheaton and served there for 6 years. Ken proudly talked about all of his granddaughter's achievements and loved spending as much time with them as he could. He kept the memory of Kay (nana) alive for his family and reminded his grandchildren how much hard work pays off, if they can give 110% to whatever they are passionate about.
Ken was preceded in death by his sister Loretta Macek, father, Matthew Macek, his mother, Florence Macek, his wife, Catherine Ridge Macek and his brother, Roy Macek.
Survivors include: sisters Debra McSweeney and Carol Devilling, brothers Barry Macek, Dennis Macek and Ronald Macek, children Kenneth (and Joyce) Macek and Joyce (and Matthew Craft) Macek; grandchildren Riley, Emily and Allison Macek, Sadie Craft and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends on Saturday June 10, 2023 at Christ The King Parish, St. Scholastica Church at 9AM, prior to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Ken's honor can be made to the Boy Scouts at alleghenyhighlands.org/donate or Allegheny Highlands Council, 50 Hough Hill Road, PO BOX 261, Falconer, NY 14733 or to Reading Partners Seattle at donations.readingpartners.org/seattle or 3250 Airport Way South, Unit 642, Seattle, WA 98115. Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)