Tomislav “Tom” Ilich, 64, of Lisle, surrounded by his loving family and friends, passed away January 1, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Beloved husband of Mary (nee McGovern); loving father of Robert (fiance’ Cathleen Reibel), Kathleen (Alex) Falconio, Patricia and Thomas; cherished grandfather “G” of Paisley Mae; devoted son of Dusanka and the late Bora Ilich; dearest brother of Nada (Mark) Bobrowski; dear brother-in law of several and fond uncle and cousin to many. Tom was born September 6, 1960 and grew up in Brookfield where he attended Riverside-Brookfield High School, maintaining a lifelong devotion to the Bulldogs. In 1972 he “led’ his Brookfield Little League team to victory in the prestigious Roy A. Overholt Boys Little League Tournament, of which he reminded his many friends throughout the years. Thus began a lifetime love of sports. He was a loyal Cubs, Blackhawks, Bears, Notre Dame, Ohio State, University of Dayton, Marquette University and Montini Bronco fan. In his 20’s, Tom recruited a softball team, the Hi Flyers, leading them to numerous victories. Tom often shared memories about visiting his family’s homeland, Serbia, and then traveling to Sarajevo for the 1984 Winter Olympics. In 1986 he met his future bride and lifelong “Partner in Crime” Mary McGovern at Waldo Peepers in Stickney. Tom had a love of live music and supported many of the local suburban bands. Although he enjoyed REO Speedwagon, Tom Petty and John Mellencamp to name a few, he was a loyal member of the Parrotheads, traveling all across the country to see Jimmy Buffet in concert, 36 times!! Tom had a long career with Jewel and then owned and operated McGil Services for the past 15 years. He loved traveling with Mary and family to Key West, Clearwater, Marco Island (Stan’s) and Abbey Springs in Lake Geneva, where he could enjoy water, music and beverages. Above all Tom had a genuine love of people, young, old, rich, poor, even White Sox and Packer fans. He will be missed by all whom knew him. Visitation Thursday January 9, 2025 from 3-9 P.M. at Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral Home 4920 Main St., Downers Grove. Funeral Friday 10 A.M. at the funeral home processing to St. John Serbian Orthodox Church 405 Englewood Ave., Bellwood for a 10:30 A.M. Funeral Mass. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Info 630-852-8000 or westsuburbanfh.com
Tomislav “Tom” Ilich
January
02,
2025
VISITATION: January 9, 2025
Day: Thursday
Time: 3-9 P.M.
Location: Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral Home
4920 Main St., Downers Grove, IL. 60515 630-852-8000
FUNERAL MASS: January 10, 2025
Day: Friday
Time: 10:30 A.M.
Location: St. John’s Serbian Orthodox Church
405 Englewood Ave., Bellwood, IL
INTERMENT: Queen of Heaven Cemetery
Tom, it’s my honor to call you friend and Brother. You’re the best. Happy, love of life and music- along with your playful fire starting on Facebook… always positive. You never knew a stranger. You’ll forever live in our hearts. Godspeed, Brother. Until Valhalla.
Thinking of you Mary and family and sending my sincere condolences🙏🌹♥️
Mr. Ilich was the best.
My first encounter with him was witnessing Tricia text him at Dayton day drinks. “Watch how fast my dad will answer.”
Within seconds he’d respond, always. He was such an amazing dad and always there for Tricia. Whenever and wherever she needed him.
He always checked in with me on instagram too.The check ins became more frequent when I visited Tricia in Dallas or during her infamous London visits.
The way he loved his children and made his children’s friends feel special is a gift and a blessing I will cherish.
We are so happy he could join our wedding last year. We will be praying for Mr. Ilich and the Ilich family.
Love,
Biz (and Bret)
Tom Ilich is quite an original person, one of a kind you could say for sure. If you had the good fortune of meeting him for the first time, you would get that impression right away. Tom wanted to be your friend from the start. And he didn’t give you much choice in the matter.
I am one of the lucky ones that got to meet him back in the early 80’s when he showed up with his gang of ” Hi Flyers” at Waldo Peepers Pub in Stickney…and pretty much took the place over that night and for many years to follow! Dan Krcmar was my partner at Waldos and we knew right away what a great group of people wandered in the bar that night. That was the start of something special with that group of “regulars/ friends” growing over the years into what we considered family. You All know who you are if you’re reading this tribute to Tom. If there was one thing Tom would make clear, it was that once you are a friend, it is forever, and you are family. I will say that Tom helped me understand that by his words and actions, and it stayed with me all those years of being in the business and beyond.
Tom would treat you with respect, even as he demanded your time and friendship. He was kind of a force to be reckoned with for sure and always in the best way. To know him was to love the guy. He wasn’t afraid to tell you ” I love you man” so you had to give it back.
Like so many of Waldo’s family, Tom was always involved and at the heart of all the goings on with an amazing group of people getting together for a Friday night out, or a bus trip to the Stadium for a Hawks game, Comiskey for a Sox game- even though he was Cubs all the way, picnics, weekend sport trips out of town…Tom was always in the mix getting everyone involved and making sure they were along for the ride. I think Tom thought he was part owner of Waldos- I mean he made sure to let me and Dan know he should be!
Above and beyond that family of friends, I know that Tom was the same way with everyone he met. He really had this innate ability to make people feel welcome and part of whatever was going on at the time and become part of the group. That is pretty special.
One personal note I have to mention is that I left Chicago in 2005 for a job in Hawaii, and every summer when I would return for a visit, (because everyone knows you don’t return to Chicago in Winter for a visit,) I would let Tom know when I’d be in town. And every time I returned, Tom made sure to contact the old Waldos gang and get everyone together for a little reunion. I think he needed that more than me honestly. He loved having his memories of the good old days. But the event I will remember most is the reunion he put together when Danny Krcmar passed away. I knew who to call to put that together and Tom came through of course. Forty years later…the gang still showed up because Tom made the call. And then he paid the tab! He was also sneaky that way.
All of that said, what Tom truly is – the most loving family man ever. Father, son, brother, uncle, or grandpa- he was proud to be all of the above and then some. My heart goes out to Mary and the kids, Mom, Nada, and all extended family. We know he lived and worked so hard for all of you. Please take it to heart that he will be missed by so many.
Thanks for everything T.
Aloha,
T Holland
He was my store director at jewel osco years ago prayers to the family
My condolences for the Illich family