John "Jack" Holme

Holme, John "Jack" 89, died peacefully in his home on June 23, 2012. A sculptor who sought to turn ordinary discarded items into something beautiful, Jack lived for adventure, family, dancing, and to make a meaningful contribution. He was born April 26, 1923 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy during WWII before attending University of British Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. On a Canadian government scholarship, Jack continued his studies for a Master of Science in Industrial Design at Illinois Institute of Technology. Jack had a passion for the outdoors and on an American Youth Hostel trip, met the woman who would become his wife and the love of his life, Selma Zucker. Jack and Selma were married in 1955 and settled in St. Joseph, Michigan, where Jack worked for Whirlpool as an Industrial Engineer and later as a Market Researcher. Always drawn to his creative side, Jack retired from Whirlpool after 35 years and moved to Darien, Illinois where he engaged full time in his artwork. He sculpted in metal, bronze, wood and eventually found most pleasure in working with what he called "junk" or found objects. Jack was never one to give up and saw every obstacle as an opportunity to grow. Diagnosed in 1992 with Parkinson's disease, he continued producing some of his largest and most impressive pieces. Jack's commissioned sculptures are permanently installed at Skokie North Shore Sculpture Park (Illinois), Naperville Century Walk (Illinois), Peoples State Bank (St Joseph, Michigan), Fitzgerald's Park (Cork International Sculpture Symposium, Ireland), The Chiropractic College (Lombard, Illinois) and in private collections throughout the world. In addition, he has had sculptures displayed in many galleries, including a current exhibit at OnView in Park Ridge, Illinois. In 2009, Jack was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Selma Holme, he is survived by his daughter Jennifer Holme and her partner Robyn Miller, his son Kevin Holme and his wife Tammy, and five grandchildren: Mikaela and Gabrielle Holme-Miller of Amherst, Massachusetts, and Amanda, Caroline and Alex Holme of Winnetka, Illinois. A celebration of Jack's life will be held today, Wednesday, June 27, at 11:00 a.m. at The Mather, 450 Davis Street, Evanston, Illinois. Memorials in honor of Jack may be made to The American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 or to a charitable organization of your choice. Arrangements made by Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home & Crematory, Naperville, Illinois. For information please call 630-355-0264 or www.beidelmankunschfh.com