INFORMATION FROM PHIL HASKETT (RET)

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Solomis "Sol" Karadjias, CPD, 62, Born in London, England; Beloved husband of Connie (nee Cloutsiniotis); Devoted father of Toni "Theoni" and Bill "Vassos"; Loving son of the late Vassos and Theoni; Cherished son-in-law of Patricia (the late Peter); Adored brother of Polixenia Laoura (Gus) Horemis; Dear brother-in-law of Sue (Con) Panos and Helen (Andrew) Kalaitzoglou; Uncle of Kristina, Alexander, George, Pam, Kylie, Pamela, and Peter, cousin and friend of many. Visitation, Thursday June 20, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Colonial Wojciechowski Funeral Home 8025 W. Golf Rd. Niles, IL. Family and friends will meet Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Ascension Greek Orthodox Church 1207 N. Riverwoods Lincolnshire, IL. for 9:00 a.m. Funeral service. Interment will take place at Elmwood Cemetery, Elmwood Park, IL. Arrangements by NICHOLAS M. PISHOS, FUNERAL DIRECTOR, LTD. (Hellenic Funeral Service), Info: 847-833-9522.


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John William Nelson, 74, beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at his home in Chicago’s North Park. Born on November 18, 1949, John was a legend of a man, whose generosity and kindness knew no bounds. John (affectionately as Big John) leaves behind a legacy of love, humor, and service to others. His nieces, nephews, and young cousins were his entire world as he became a key figure in each of their lives. He was so proud of all of them and, together with the children, (many of them now grown up), his family and friends will remember him as an exemplary human being. He embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, witty sense of humor, and an unending generosity that could be seen through the many children’s movie nights at his place, his homemade specialty spaghetti dinners, and the unwavering loving care and attention he devoted to each child’s needs. He will be fondly remembered as an entertainer of all with his limericks, stories, and jokes; even as adults, many of the children whose lives he touched are still waiting to run away to the circus with him, marveling about the frog who jumped into his throat while fishing and thereafter took up permanent residence, wondering about Boom Boom, his mysterious imaginary girlfriend, or even the roaches who lived in his bathtub that he absolutely had to get home to take care of when it was time to leave. John was a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps where he served in Vietnam as a mechanic on an aircraft carrier. His spirit of service to others continued upon his return home as he went on to become a Chicago Police Officer for 30 years, before retiring to become a Nanny (Manny) to his nephew Liam Joseph Manning, and later to Logan Seamus and Luke Hamish Manning as the family grew. This marked the continuation of his legacy as a key figure of unconditional love for all of the children of the family. John is survived by his sister, Mary Jo Davenport; his nephews and nieces, Jolene (Tim) Manning, Sean (Maddelena), Scott (Jordan), Aaron (Andrea), and Stephanie Davenport, Kevin (Christina) Dandurand, Megan (Gregg) Fibiger, Mary, Pattie (Sean), and Jim Sauve; and his beloved great-nephews and great-nieces, Liam, Logan, and Luke Manning, Molly and Matthew Davenport, Francesca, Gianna, and Maria Jo Davenport, Joshua Pitej, KJ and Marissa Dandurand, Mike and Jack Fibiger, Tammy and Guy McIntyre, Aricka and Amber Ream, Brent, Duane, and Amy Porter; beloved cousins, Cynthia, (Michael), Christine, John (Cheryl), Jessica, Theresa and Mary Anne Benuzzi, Marilyn Melligan, Tom (Betty) Sauve, Janita (Dan) Ream, and Nelson (Glenna) Porter.

Waiting for him at the Door to Heaven were his parents, Clarence and Mary Nelson; his sister, Roberta Dandurand; his brother, Robert Nelson, brothers-in-law, Rodman Davenport and Gary Dandurand, nephews, Keith Davenport and Tommy Sauve, uncles, John McIntyre, John, Harvey, and Russell Nelson, aunts, Margaret Sauve, Hazel Porter, Ruth Schneider, and Aletha Wilson and beloved cousins, Jack and De De McIntyre, Anne McIntyre, Winn Porter, Alice Bowker, and Thomas Melligan. John’s departure comes as a great shock and a deep wound, one that is gravely felt by his entire family and countless others who loved him deeply; his memory will continue to be a beacon of warmth and joy for all who had the pleasure of knowing him. As John prioritized finding joy in life, sharing that joy with others, and generously providing for others’ needs, we can continue to honor him by being there for others no matter what, loving one another unconditionally and spending quality time with one another, and especially with the children in our lives.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 10am until the time of service at 2pm at Davenport Funeral Home, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL.



Steven Woods, age 63, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024, of Chicago, IL; Amtrak police officer and retired C.P.D.; close friend of Maria Magana; loving father of David Magana and Jasmine (Enrique Nevarez Jr.) Magana; cherished grandfather of Benjamin Nevarez; fond brother of Dorian (Hicela) Woods and Mario Woods; caring uncle of nieces and nephews. Memorial visitation Monday, June 24th, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. from Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St. Oak Lawn. Everyone to meet for Memorial Mass Tuesday, June 25th, 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name Cathedral Church, 735 N. State St. Chicago. For info (708) 636-1193.

AND…

From the CPD Daily bulletin June 16, 2024.

ALWAYS REMEMBERED!

Richard J. Burke. . . . . . . . . . . 1919

Thomas W. Burke. . . . . . . . . . 1921

John J. Blyth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1956

Robert J. Strugala.. . . . . . . . . 1974

SPECIAL EVENT!

CPD Fathers’ Day Mass at Gold Star Families Memorial and Park at 1000 hours TODAY, 16 June 2024. All active and retired CPD members, Gold Star Families, Chaplains Ministry supporters, and their families are welcome, as is the public. Mass will be finished by 1030 hours to accommodate on-duty worshipers on their lunch break. While this is a Catholic Mass, ALL are welcome to honor dads, grandfathers, and father figures whose names are permanently inscribed on the walls of the CPD memorial. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic lunch if you want to stick around. Call Fr. Dan Brandt, CPD Chaplain, in case of inclement weather, at 773-550-2369 for status updates. Ample free parking is available on Museum Campus Drive. Uniformed CPD officers will direct you. The CFD 5-11 canteen will provide water, Gatorade, coffee, and snacks. The mounted unit horses will also be looking forward to seeing you. God bless all our fathers and father figures, living and deceased! Fr. Dan Brandt CPD Chaplain 773-550-2369 www.ChicagoPCM.org.

EAP NOTICE!

During the summer season, there are many opportunities for celebration and gathering, including graduations and family barbeques. For Chicago Police Department members, this season can bring stressors from not being able to always attend these events due to schedule changes, as well as additional stressors that can come with managing expectations others may have of you for both work and personal obligations. During the next few months, you may experience an increased level of anxiety, stress, anger, and/or depression as you navigate an increasingly busy time personally and professionally. If you are having difficulty coping during this summer season, the Professional Counseling Division/Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here for you 24/7. FREE, confidential services are available to all Department members (sworn and civilian) and their immediate family. EAP has professionally trained clinicians, sworn alcohol and substance use counselors, certified peer support members, and chaplains, and is just a phone call away. Services can be obtained at any of the three EAP Locations: 1759 W. Adams, 5440 N. Cumberland, and 11540 S. Western. Other resources, including the “Tips to Stay Sober This Summer” handout attached to AMC # 309188, are also available by calling the EAP number at 312-743-0378. Promoting and ensuring the wellness of another requires all of us to get involved. Let’s make a concerted effort to be there for each other. Stay safe and be well!!!