Jack Polan

Jack Polan, 95 (aka Ervin Jacob Polan), died peacefully September 14th, surrounded by loved ones.

 

But that was just a few of his names.

 

Dad, Poppa, Papa, Grandpa, Zayde, Uncle Jack, Mr. Polan were what you’d normally hear shouted in his direction. He was, without a question to those who knew him, a perfect specimen of a family man. He lived for his kids, his grandkids, and when those kids had kids, his great-grandkids, too. The man was never without a laugh or a joke. He was unshy and candid. Generous and loyal.

 

He was a Chicago man through and through, having grown up there with his brothers Seymour and Jukie, and passed his love for the Chicago Cubs to every later generation, for better or (mostly) worse. His poker skills, unfortunately, did not get passed on.

 

Every Thanksgiving, when asked what he was thankful for, he would tell the same story. “I’m thankful for my family. When I tell my friends about you guys, and how we always come together, they always tell me how lucky I am.” He was the glue sitting at the head of the table. And all we can hope is that enough of his lessons, his wisdom, his generosity rubbed off on us so we can always remember how to be more like Jack.

 

We were the lucky ones.

 

He’ll be laid to rest next to his wife Mary Ann, whom he never stopped loving.

 

He’s survived by his children Daryl Salrin, Michael (Gerry), Jody Schultz (Bob), and Susan; his grandchildren, Kari, Jamie (Corey), Kellen (Masha), Kendall (Jack), Annie (Cory), Allison (Drew), Stephen (Amanda), and Lincoln; and his great-grandchildren, Curren, Welles, KJ, Noah, Banks, Alo, Eloise, and a to-be-named future addition, along with the memory of his great-grandson Indie.

 

Also survived by his brother-in-law, Bob; niece and nephews, David, Jeri, Greg, Mark, Gary, and David B.; and by cousins and friends who he loved dearly and who adored him.

 

Love you always Dad, Poppa, Papa, Grandpa, Zayde, Uncle Jack, Mr. Polan…

 

We welcome anyone who would like to attend his service. For those who would like to, we invite you to honor Jack by wearing a Cubs hat—something we know would have made him smile.

 

A reception will follow at a separate location nearby. Details will be provided.

 

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, if you would like to honor Jack’s memory, our family invites you to make a donation to City of Hope, an organization that was especially meaningful to him in honor of his late wife, Mary Ann. It would be a beautiful way to honor Jack, and the love and life they shared together.

https://ourhope.cityofhope.org/Honoring_Jack