SSMMA extends our deepest condolences to the friends and family of former Crestwood Mayor Chester K. Stranczek, who passed away during the Labor Day weekend.
Arrangements are as follows: Funeral Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 9:30 a.m. from the Hickey Memorial Chapel, 4201 W. 147th St., Midlothian to St. Christopher Church 10:00 a.m. Mass. Interment St. Benedict Cemetery. Visitation Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. For questions, please call 708-385-4478. Please click here to sign or view his guest book.
Columnist Phil Kadner discusses Mayor Stranczek in the Daily Southtown.
The following is a summary of Mayor Stranczek’s life, submitted by current Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta:
The former Mayor Chester Stranczek left this world, and his family, on September 5, 2015. Our condolences to his wife Diane, sons Michael and Robert, and with their families for their loss.
Not everyone knows or remembers all of the good he did in his lifetime, so in his honor, let’s take a look back because everything Chet did for Crestwood he did from his heart and what he thought was in the best interest for our Village.
As many know, he was Mayor for the Village of Crestwood from 1969 -2007, having served as a Trustee for 12 years prior to being elected Mayor. In 1961, Mayor Musilek asked then Trustee Stranczek if he would be willing to resign as Trustee to accept the appointment of Public Works Director, which was a one man department. He handled everything from water/sewer to street repair and snow removal until 1966 when Crestwood started getting water from Chicago through Alsip and Sanitary District took over the sewer system.
He was one of a few South Suburban Mayors who was a strong, independent leader for decades, much like Mayor Vacco of Evergreen Park and Mayor Oremus of Bridgeview. Bringing Crestwood from a small, sleepy community to a growing, thriving community called for some bold decisions, some controversial. Read more here.
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