Hon. Edward H. Marsalek 1924 - 2022
Honorable Edward H. Marsalek, 98 years old, July 22, 1924-September 4, 2022.
Loving husband of Ann (Pollace) Marsalek for over 62 years. Loving father of Judge Diann Marsalek (Roger McAuliffe-Deceased), Carolyn Marsalek, and Edward Marsalek (Joyce Wonsil). Loving grandfather of Nicholas, Alex, and Peter Marsalek (deceased). Son of Frank and Karolina Marsalek (both deceased). Loving brother of Stanley (Jean), Betty (John) Lusak, Wanda (Alex) Weigel, Mary and Elizabeth (all deceased). Loving uncle to John (Mary) Lusak, Karen (Bill-deceased) Rill, Sandy Porten, Tom (Sandy) Weigel, Julia (Jim) Olsta, Frank DeMilio, Joey DeMilio, Tim (Loree) Kelly, Chris (Karen) Kelly and Michael (deceased) (Missy) Kelly. Great uncle to many.
Ed was born in Chicago. He graduated from Prescott Elementary School and Lane Tech High School. Both of his parents died when he was young so his sister Betty and her husband John, raised him. His family lost a family business during the depression. He joined the United States Marine Corp in 1943. He fought in World War II in the South Pacific before being discharged as a Corporal in 1946. He returned to Chicago to attend Wilbur Wright College in 1948 and the University of Houston in 1949. He graduated from the University of Houston and returned to Chicago. He attended John Marshall Law School and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1953. He worked in a small law firm for a few years. In 1960, he became an Assistant Attorney General and rose to Chief of the Consumer Fraud Division. He helped draft the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act which was signed into law in 1961. He then worked as a Deputy Director for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. He also founded Marsalek and Lusak law firm where he practiced until he was appointed as a judge. He was appointed as an associate judge in 1986. He ran and was elected a full circuit judge. He was retained for several elections. He served in Traffic Court, Bond Court, First Municipal, Domestic Relations and was the Supervising Judge of Housing Court before his retirement in 1998. Ed was a mentor to many new judges and well respected by his peers. Ed was also a member of the Judicial Inquiry Board from 1982-90. He was a member of many professional organizations including the Advocates Society of Polish Lawyers, Chicago Bar Association, and Catholic Lawyers. He was a member for many years of the Chicago Society PNA and was the Person of the Year from this organization in 2016.
Ed was the President of the 44th Ward Democratic Organization for many years. He worked closely with John Merlo, Bernie Hanson, and John Cullerton. He ran for alderman of the 44th Ward in 1975. Ed was active in the United States Marine Corp 6th Division Jasco where he served as the President. He attended reunions with his former Marines for many years. He was instrumental to get the children of the former Marines involved in the organization to ensure its continuation.
During his retirement, he traveled to many places in the United States and Poland. He loved spending time at his summer house in Wisconsin with his family and friends. He enjoyed taking the pontoon boat out for rides on the lake. He loved his companion, Frank, a German Shepherd, who was always by his side. He loved to watch or listen to the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears games. He loved celebrating holidays, birthdays, and events with his family. He had a strong love for family and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Edward's name can be made to St. Alphonsus Church and the Polish Museum of America.