Emmanuel John Smaczny

Emmanuel John Smaczny, 73, passed away November 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 24, 1950, in Salzburg, Austria to the late Gerard Bertold and Gertrud Dora (Klein) Smaczny. 

John grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. He was a notable athlete in numerous sports, including baseball, football, boxing, golf, racquetball, and handball. He was a man with multiple skills…mechanic, handyman, contractor, architect, etc. John would find a “broken” tool/equipment in the alley; take it apart, fix it and put it back together. If you needed a specific tool, he had not one, but seven and knew exactly where to locate it in his house. In the past 13 years, he faced many medical challenges, but kept fighting and fighting and fighting. He’s been waiting many years to go fishing again with his friend John Davis. Dad, go fish, have a cigar and catch a big one. We’ll miss you and love you always.

John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Daniel (Lynne) Smaczny; daughter and son-in-law, Denise (Jonathan) Nagode; grandchildren, Allison Smaczny, Tabitha Smaczny, and Emma Nagode; brothers, Charles (Judith) Smaczny and Michael (Stella Reeves) Smaczny; nieces and nephews, Kim (Jason) Carpenter, Jennifer (Ryan) Anido, Lisa (Chris Caggiano) Smaczny, and Mitch Reeves. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Johannes Smaczny.

The memorial is pending for a later date. Interment is private. Arrangements entrusted to Sambrano Funeral & Cremation, Gurnee, IL. Please sign the guestbook at LauraSambranoFunerals.com; 847-571-7719.

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