Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Thomas D. Kraska, age 84, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026. Tom was born in Cicero, Illinois on October 18, 1941 to the late Chester and Genevieve Kraska.
Tom lived his life with purpose, a deep love for others, and generosity. He built a successful career in sales, spending 10 years in the cabinet industry and 28 years in commercial printing. He worked hard, took pride in what he did, and provided a strong foundation for our family. He retired in 2008.
He was a colorful person—inside and out. He expressed that in everything he loved, starting with his bold, patterned shirts—often Hawaiian or motorcycle-themed—and his collection of colorful ties, each one featuring playful, eye-catching prints. That same vibrant spirit carried into the motorcycles and bright cars he proudly drove, including two electric blue vehicles and a vivid orange one. Even his home reflected his spirit, filled with warmth and personality, with orange living room walls and a cheerful yellow kitchen. His many cars and motorcycles carried his personalized plates reading “KRAZE,” a fitting reflection of his personality and the way he lived life with energy and individuality. He wasn’t afraid to stand out, and that was part of what made him so unforgettable.
But what truly defined him was how he lived each day. Tom believed in acts of kindness—small, consistent gestures that showed people they mattered—but he also showed that same care through big, generous acts that made a lasting difference in people’s lives. He was always positive, always smiling, and often humming or singing, with a way of making others feel seen, valued, and loved. He didn’t just say he cared—he showed it in everything he did.
Family was the center of his world. He often said that his family was his greatest wealth, and he meant it. He built strong, meaningful relationships with each of us and gave his time, energy, and love without hesitation. He would do anything for his family, and we always knew we could count on him. Over the years, Tom created and carried on many family traditions that became deeply meaningful to everyone. He began hosting all the holidays, bringing everyone together around special meals and gatherings. There were always familiar traditions and foods—especially Polish sausage—that became part of every celebration. Each Christmas, he would make the trip to Georgia to his daughter’s home with his car full of presents, looking forward to being reunited with his three grandchildren and celebrating the holiday together as a family. He made it a point to never miss a birthday, calling each family member every year and leaving a voicemail if they didn’t answer, often with both him and Kathy singing “Happy Birthday.” For first birthdays, he carried on a long-standing Polish tradition, placing a shot glass, a rosary, and a silver dollar coin in front of the child, with the first item chosen believed to reflect their future personality and path. Father’s Day brought its own tradition, as he took great joy in ordering personalized T-shirts for all the fathers in the family, which they were then expected to wear proudly for family photos. These traditions reflected who he was—thoughtful, playful, and always intentional about making people feel included and loved.
Tom was also incredibly intentional with memory and time. He remembered dates, details, and moments from decades ago with remarkable clarity—often recalling events from 50 years earlier as if they had just happened. He had his own thoughtful way of communicating as well. When leaving voicemails, he would always begin by stating his name, the date and time, and the reason for his call, as if to preserve the moment for whoever listened later. He had a unique way of describing distance, often using miles instead of time, a habit shaped by how much he traveled throughout his life. These small but consistent habits reflected his deep attentiveness and the care he put into every interaction.
A gift for bringing people together followed him everywhere he went, and connection seemed to happen wherever he was. Beyond family, he built relationships in every part of his life—organizing Mass and luncheons that reunited his grammar class in recent years, meeting his insurance agents and old work friends for lunches, enjoying dinners with Kathy’s barn friends, and spending time riding with his Harley group—always making sure others felt included and no one was left out. Even when he became ill, he continued to find ways to gather the people he loved, bringing different groups of family and friends together for Perry’s Famous Pork Chop Friday Lunch.
It was rare for him to go anywhere without striking up a conversation that led to another, and then another. Talking to people came so naturally to him that it often felt endless in the best way. When he would finally pause a conversation, it was never really an ending—he would simply say it was good talking with them, and just as quickly he would be off starting a new conversation about something else entirely. He loved being around people and could talk with just about anyone, often happily doing most of the talking. Restaurant outings were rarely quick with him—he was usually the last to sit down and the last to leave, as he paused to talk with strangers along the way. A natural storyteller, he never hesitated to share a good story, even if it was one you had heard many times before. In every stage of his life, he created connection, and being together with others was what mattered most to him.
Tom embraced life fully and found joy in the outdoors and in the things he loved. He and his wife shared many meaningful trips and cruises, traveling to places such as Africa, China, South America, Machu Picchu, Poland, and Thailand, continuing to explore the world side by side. He also took countless road trips on his Harley, traveling to places like Sturgis, Colorado, Mackinac Island, Daytona for Bike Week, and the Smoky Mountains, where he rode the Tail of the Dragon. His love of travel continued on the road in his Corvettes, where he enjoyed day rides and exploring, always taking in the details along the way. Beyond travel, he enjoyed cooking dinners for his wife, sharing date nights, gardening, and camping with his family for many years.
Guided by a strong faith and a deeply spiritual heart, he lived with compassion and intention. He attended Mass every weekend—even while traveling—and after retirement, he went daily. He faithfully honored his loved ones by having masses said for extended family members on their birthdays and the anniversaries of their passing, attending each one with devotion. His faith was reflected not only in worship, but in action, as his generosity knew no bounds. He gave generously to many charitable organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He also established a scholarship fund at Ball State University for visually impaired students in his late daughter’s name.
We will remember him for the way he lived: fully, generously, and always with love.
Tom is survived by his devoted wife, Kathleen Kraska, his partner of 51 years and beloved spouse of 37 years; his son, Timothy Kraska; his daughters, Kristen (Steve) Schneider and Tammy Gaffney; his beloved grandchildren, Alec (Kelsey) Schneider, Nicholas (Melissa) Niemi, Brendan Schneider, Alexandra (Nicholas) Van Pay, Conor Schneider, Christopher Curtis, Dillon Curtis, and Jack Curtis; and his three great-grandchildren, Derek, Henry, and Hudson. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Chester and Genevieve Kraska; his sister, Dolores Merda; and his daughters, Lisa Kraska and Laura Kraska.
Visitation Friday April 24, 2026 from 10-11 A.M. at Notre Dame Catholic Church 64 Norfolk Ave., Clarendon Hills followed by a 11 A.M. Funeral Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery Justice, IL. Arrangements entrusted to Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral Home. Info 630-852-8000 or westsuburbanfh.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital in Tom’s name.