In Memoriam - Jack Leahy

It is with sadness that we have learned of the death of Dr. John "Jack" Leahy, retired professor of the Religious Studies Department. Jack passed away on January 13 at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife, Elayne Morrey; three step daughters, Margaret Morrey, Bridget Morrey and Mary Granbush; 11 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

Jack joined the DePaul faculty in 1971 and served until his retirement in 2006. Best known for his long commitment to student-centered learning, Jack pioneered the teaching of business ethics for undergraduates. Jack was academic mentor to the SNL college from 1985-1987. From 1991-1998, Jack served as director of the foreign study program. Under his guidance, the program grew rapidly, established numerous study abroad programs, and oversaw faculty study trips designed to enhance multicultural learning. Drawing on his personal background as the son of Irish immigrants, Jack was a strong advocate for and instrumental in developing the Irish Studies Program, and taught a course on the "troubles" in Northern Ireland. From 2001-2003, Jack was faculty director of the Community Service Studies minor. In all of these educational efforts, Jack treated others with humanity and grace.

Jack was active in the Illinois chapter of the American Association of University Professors, and served as its president from 1999-2000. Upon his retirement from DePaul, Jack received the Via Sapientiae award.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 16, 3 - 6 p.m. with a memorial service from 6 - 7 p.m. at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 West Park Avenue, Libertyville, IL.

Our condolences go to the family, friends, former students, and university colleagues who mourn the loss of Jack. May he rest in peace.

Source: Office of Mission and Ministry, January 14, 2019
Photo source: DES Luncheon, October, 2010

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John T. "Jack" Leahy, 85, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019 at Advocate Condell Medical Center. He was born June 24, 1933 in Chicago and had been a Libertyville resident for the past 43 years. Dr. Leahy was a Professor Emeritus at DePaul University. Surviving are his wife of 45 years, M. Elayne Morrey; 3 daughters, Margaret Morrey, Bridget Morrey and Mary (Kevin) Grambush; 11 grandchildren, Sarah, Daniel, Jordon, Nora, Elizabeth, Stanley, Marianna, Gabriella, Lee, Erin and Jacklyn; 6 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Sister Mary Leahy, Sheila (Joseph) Ruskuff and Margaret (Richard) Frederick. He was the dear uncle of many and will be dearly missed by all of those who loved him. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Ann and Patty Morrey. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 at the Burnett-Dane Funeral Home Ltd., 120 W. Park Ave. (Route 176, one block west of Milwaukee Ave.), Libertyville. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm during the visitation. Info, 847-362-3009 or please share a memory at https://www.burnettdane.com/obituaries/John-Leahy-6/.

Published in Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on Jan. 15, 2019

Book Club Meeting December 5

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, provided insights into his work defending innocent men and women convicted and sentenced to the death penalty in the American prison system. The experiences documented in the book showed us the failure of our legal system to provide for those who lack the economic, social, or political resources to gain equal justice in the courts of our nation, particularly in the South. While some of the details were emotionally difficult to read, our discussion helped us gain some hope, knowing that there are those such as Stevenson who are willing to fight the battles to get falsely convicted prisoners exonerated. His admonition to his readers to develop a proximity to those who are disadvantaged, to understand what produces these unequal judicial outcomes, made an impact on us all.

Our next book will be The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.  Here is a link to a review from The New York Times. We will meet Wednesday, February 6 in Room 115 of the Richardson Library.  Remember that we now start our group at 11 am.  We gather at 11, with discussion from 11:30 to 12:30, so please bring your brown bag lunch!  For further information contact Kathryn DeGraff or Helen Marlborough.

We will continue to review the titles on our list for consideration for upcoming discussions. Please let Kathryn, Helen, or anyone else in the group, if you have a favorite book you would like to share with your DES colleagues. As you can tell from the posts, we are interested in a wide range of fiction and non fiction. We enjoy our sessions thoroughly and always have room for more people and more insights.

In Memoriam - Nicholas Kostopoulos, Sr.

It is with sadness that we have learned of the death of Nicholas Kostopoulos, Sr., who served in Public Safety at DePaul from 1987 until his retirement in 1998.  He is the father of Nicholas Kostopoulos, Jr., who currently serves in Public Safety.  Nick passed away on December 24 at the age of 92.  He is survived by three children and three grandchildren.

Services have been held.  Online condolences may be submitted at  https://www.cumberlandchapels.com/obituaries/Nicholas-P-Kostopoulos?obId=3964871#/celebrationWall

Our sympathy goes to the family, friends, and university colleagues who mourn the loss of Nick.  May he rest in peace.

Source: Mission and Ministry email January 2, 2019

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Obituary for Nicholas P. Kostopoulos

Nicholas Peter Kostopoulos, Age 92, at rest on December 24, 2018. Beloved husband of the late Ann (nee Wright). Loving father of Steve (the late Angela), Nicholas Jr. and Thomas and the late Michael Kostopoulos Cherished grandfather of Paul, Carissa and Kevin. Fond brother of the late Thomas. Visitation Friday, December 28th, 2018 from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 12:00 noon at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove. Info www.cumberlandchapels.com or 708-456-8300.

Source: https://www.cumberlandchapels.com/obituaries/Nicholas-P-Kostopoulos?obId=3964871#/obituaryInfo

Book Club Meeting, October 10

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez was our book for October. We agreed that Marquez was a magnificent storyteller, able to weave the tales of Buendia family over the century they lived, loved, and died in the mythical town of Macondo. Some of the characters sought love, others sought solitude as shown through Marquez' adept use of reality and fantasy in this classic of magical realism. The novel showed its characters moving as if they were swimming through time as lives moved together or fell apart. Some really appreciated the technique, others found it somewhat challenging to follow. But we agreed on its importance as a novel.

Our next book will be Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.    Here is a link to a review from The New York Times.  We will meet Wednesday, December 5 in Room 115 of the Richardson Library. Remember that we now start our group at 11 am.  We gather at 11, with discussion from 11:30 to 12:30, so please bring your brown bag lunch!  For further information contact Kathryn DeGraff or Helen Marlborough.

We will continue to review the titles on our list for consideration for upcoming discussions. Please let Kathryn, Helen, or anyone else in the group, if you have a favorite book you would like to share with your DES colleagues. As you can tell from the posts, we are interested in a wide range of fiction and non fiction. We enjoy our sessions thoroughly and always have room for more people and more insights.

Photos from the Fall 2018 DES Luncheon

A grand time was had by all. Thanks to the Office of Mission and Ministry for their sponsorship; the Office of Events Planning for orchestrating a lovely luncheon venue; and, to the DES Steering Committee for coordinating the program on Preservation Chicago presented by its Director, Ward Miller.

Enjoy a few photos from the day.

In Memoriam - Howard Sulkin

In Memoriam

Dr. Howard A. Sulkin, 1941-2018

Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership mourns the loss of Dr. Howard A. Sulkin, the Institute’s President and CEO from 1984 to 2009.

Dr. Sulkin was a specialist in organization theory and adult education, who received his MBA and Doctorate from the University of Chicago. During the 25 years of his presidency, Spertus Institute greatly expanded its offerings to foster learning through both traditional means and through arts and culture.

In 2007, he realized the dream of opening a magnificent new building for Spertus Institute, designed to serve the growing needs of students, participants, and visitors. This building has been recognized with local, national, and international critical acclaim including an array of architectural awards. Architect Mark Sexton called Sulkin a great client. “He started with the big idea that the building was a gift to everyone who would live in or visit Chicago. That’s a profound way of thinking for an institution — usually it’s more about the institution and less about the impact.”

Sulkin was passionate about forging partnerships and collaborative relationships with organizations in the Jewish world, the arts and academic communities, and with those pursuing interfaith understanding. He served as Board Chair of Chicago Parliament of the World’s Religions, was on the planning committee for the 1993 Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, and traveled throughout the world on behalf of the work of the Parliament.

Prior to his tenure at Spertus Institute, Sulkin was a Vice President and founding Dean of the School for New Learning (SNL) at DePaul University. A competency-based educational program for adults, SNL was and remains an important initiative, having become an internationally aclaimed leader in self-directed learning.

To his dear wife Connie, his children, grandchildren, and many friends and colleagues, all of us at Spertus Institute extend our deepest condolences.

Y’hi zikhrono livraha. May his memory be for a blessing.

Source: Spertus Institute website, October 26, 2018
Photo: Dan Rest from grand opening of the Spertus Institute building

In Memoriam - John P. Masterson

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death last week of John Masterson a professor emeritus in the English Department.  John taught at DePaul from 1959 until his retirement in 1987.  From 1972-1977 he served as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  He was a member of the DePaul Emeritus Society.  Dean Masterson is survived by Jean his wife of 62 years, siblings, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Memorial visitation Saturday, October 27th, 9:00 am until time of memorial mass 10:00 am at Divine Infant Church, Newcastle & Canterbury, Westchester, IL.

May he rest in peace.  Our deepest sympathies to the Masterson Family.

Source: Mission and Ministry email, October 21, 2018

Photo: DES Luncheon, October 21, 2011

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John P. Masterson, beloved husband of Jean for 62 years; loving father of Mary Beth (John) Riordan, Michael (Roberta) Masterson, Maureen (Sam) Pulia, Laura (Shane) Benning; dear grandfather of Katy, James, Sean, Ashtyn, Montana, Joe (Melissa) and Steve (Gianna); great-grandfather of six; fond brother of the late: Mary (Al) Marinari, Sr. Kathleen S.P.S.M.W. and James "Edward" (Elsie) Masterson; brother-in-law of Gerald (the late Jessie) Wegrzyn; uncle of many. Retired Professor Emeritus at DePaul University. Memorial visitation Saturday, October 27th, 9:00 am until time of memorial mass 10:00 am at Divine Infant Church, Newcastle & Canterbury, Westchester. In lieu of flowers, memorials to University of St. Mary of the Lake preferred. Arrangements entrusted to HURSEN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY. Funeral info: 800-562-0082 or www.hursen.com.Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on Oct. 21, 2018