George Schnitzius

George W. Schnitzius, 90, died Thursday January 12, 2017 at the Generations Nursing Home, Des Plaines, Illinois, of complications due to heart and kidney failure. He graduated from Loyola Academy as President of his class in 1944 and Loyola University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He loved sports and music – football, track and golf – and playing his saxophone in dance bands. He was inducted into the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served as a First Class Electrician Mate setting up electronic and radar communications in the South Pacific. He received 4 Pacific theatre commendation ribbons. He and his wife Mary Louise were married at St. Bellarmine Church in 1951 and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past June. He served in executive leadership positions throughout his working career in the printing industry, and was founder of the strategic management firm H.R.I, Inc. and Professional Graphics Institute. His leadership in the printing industry resulted in numerous professional graphics and management awards and citations, including the prestigious National Printing Award for four successive years (1967-70). As an active Park Ridge, Illinois community member, he served as President of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Park Ridge YMCA, and fundraiser for the Park Ridge United Way. He served on the Holy Family Inner City Board of Directors and was prominent in supporting the Orchestra of Illinois and was the recipient of the Illinois Legislative Citation for his work as president of the Illinois Kidney Foundation. He was an active Catholic parishioner at Mary Seat of Wisdom (Park Ridge) and St. Patrick Church (Wadsworth), serving as a lector, lay and eucharistic minister, parish council member, choir member, and leader for parish and Jesuit men’s spirituality programs and retreats.George is survived by his wife Mary Louise, and his four children Michael, Thomas, Mary Margaret and Anne Marie, brothers Robert(Elaine) and Edward(Mary Kay), and 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. For many years he and his wife loved holding annual Labor Day weekend family reunions at their Wisconsin rural retreat. Grandpa’s garden tractor rides were one of the grandchildren’s favorite memories along with the strong connections that were made each year with all of the extended family.He was preceded in death by an infant son John, his parents Mathias and Caroline, his brothers Martin and Mathias, and his sisters Marilyn, Caryl and Rita.Visitation Friday, January 20th from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Cumberland Chapels ( FRIEL FUNERAL DIRECTORS) 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge. Funeral Services Begin: Saturday 9:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home and will proceed to Mary Seat of Wisdom Church, Park Ridge. Funeral Mass 10:00 A.M. Interment with Military Honors All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Saint Labre Indian School, Ashland, Montana, 59004 stlabre.org. Funeral luncheon following at Edelweiss Restaurant 7650 Irving Park Rd., Norridge, IL 60706.