George M. Petrich

George M. Petrich, 93, passed away at his home in Burnham, IL on August 28, 2024. He was born in Chicago on November 20, 1930, the first son of Michael and Ann (Klasna) Petrich. 

George is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Rosemary (Zevnik) Petrich, his brother Elliott (Marilyn) Petrich, his children Mark (Katherine) Petrich, Stephanie Petrich, and Anne Marie (Vincent) Marinelli, grandchildren Joseph (Alexandra) Petrich, Maria (Nicholas) Jones, Angela (Jacob) Lamirande, Veronica Marinelli, Luis Kauffman, Andy Kauffman, and Olivia Kauffman, and great-grandchildren Joseph, Augustine, Leo, and Lily Petrich. George was preceded in death by his brother Bill. 

George grew up in South Chicago and spent most of his life in the Chicago area. He attended Orville T. Bright School and Bowen High School. He fondly recalled good times as a child playing at Trumbull Park. George had many jobs growing up including setting pins in a bowling alley, working as a waiter at the South Shore Country Club, and steaming iron ore cars in Duluth. George was an avid reader, a meticulous writer, and a language enthusiast. Favorite authors included G.K. Chesterton, Milovan Djilas, and Ambrose Bierce. George studied at Roosevelt College, University of Minnesota at Duluth, and the John Marshall Law School where he graduated in 1960. His law career covered seven decades including service as a judge in Burnham and a swearing-in ceremony for the United States Supreme Court Bar. 

George’s law office was in Hegewisch for many years. He was a proud member of the Chicago Hegewisch Lions Club and served as president. George was a parishioner at Mother of God Catholic church in Burnham and a supporter of many parish activities. He was passionate about his Serbian heritage which he experienced as a child and his enthusiasm for the culture and language grew during his time living with his grandmother (Barbara Petrich) while attending college in Duluth. He traveled to Europe many times visiting Serbia, Slovenia, and Croatia.

George is dearly missed by his family and friends. His love of a good pun, intelligent sense of humor, and wide range of interests made him delightful to be around. His devotion to his family made him a great father and his children are proud and grateful to have had George as their “Dad”. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Memory of George may be sent to the Chicago Hegewisch Lions Club c/o John Wrona, 13333 S. Baltimore Ave, Chg. IL 60633