Jack F. Daly

Jack F. Daly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, July 6th 2024 in Joliet, IL at the age of 77. 

Jack was the loving husband of Lynne (Hutcheson) Daly, father of Ken (Anita) Daly, Sarah (Sean) Van Gundy, Mike (Tina Trout) Daly, Suzy (Nate) Lowden, and Tim (Kelly) Daly. He was the loving grandfather to Carolyn and Emma Daly; Kaelee, Owen, and Eli Van Gundy; Hannah and Peyton Lowden; and Jaycee and Dylan Daly. He is preceded in death by his father Jack Crookston, mother Marie Daly, stepfather Dennis Daly, brother Mark Daly, and is survived by his sister Carol Daly, sister-in-law Nicole Alex, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

 Jack was born on May 21st, 1947 in Chicago, IL. His family relocated to Long Island, NY before returning to Riverside, IL, where he graduated from Riverside Brookfield High School in 1965. Jack was a true family man, marrying his high-school sweetheart in 1968 before starting his family of five children in 1971. He was a dedicated husband and father who took great pride in caring and providing for his beloved family. 

 Jack graduated from the Career Academy's School of Broadcasting and made his career in radio. He started as a Newsman at WKKD in Aurora, IL before joining the news staff at WJOL in Joliet, IL. Jack later moved into advertising sales at WJOL/WLLI and eventually became the Sales Manager before leaving to become the General Manager of WJTW in Joliet, IL. Jack returned to WJOL/WLLI as the General Manager and ended his long career in radio as the General Manager of WJDK/WCSJ in Morris, IL.

 Jack was dedicated to serving his community and was always willing to lend his radio voice and personality as host and emcee for several events including the Annual Easter Seals Fundraising Telethon and the Cornerstone Celebrity Luncheon. He also served as a Board Member for the Guardian Angel Community Services organization for more than 20 years, was a member of the Exchange Club of Joliet where he served as President, was selected twice as Exchangite of the Year, served on the Development Committee for the Exchange Club Prevention of Child Abuse Center, and also served as President of the Downtown Development Council. 

 Family and friends will remember Jack for many things, some notably include: as a planner and reservation maker; for being determined (aka stubborn and sometimes bossy), traits often blamed on his Bohemian/Czech heritage; for keeping a close eye on the latest savings at Menards; for acquiring glasses for his home bar; as an avid sports fan, especially for his home town Chicago teams; and for feeding his many bird and squirrel buddies around the yard. While Jack had the gift of gab and a unique ability to connect with people wherever he went, one of his more remarkable traits was his listening skills, oftentimes retaining information in order to dispense advice at just the right moment. Though Jack will be remembered for many things, the most important will be as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and dear friend to many.

 Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Jack F. Daly on Thursday, July 11th, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Rd, Joliet. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, July 12th, 10:00 a.m. at Queen of  Apostles Catholic Church, (St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church), 18 Woodlawn Ave., Joliet, IL.   In lieu of flowers memorials to Guardian Angel Community Services, 168 N. Ottawa St., Joliet, IL 60432 https://www.justgiving.com/guardianangelcommunityservices would be appreciated.