Stanley Walter Gruszka Jr

Stanley “Stan” W. Gruszka, Jr., age 80 of Phillips, WI passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 1st at his residence. Stan was born on October 28, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois the son of Stanley and Harriet (nee Pociask) Gruszka Sr. Stan graduated from North Central College with a Bachelors degree and then earned his Masters degree at Northern Illinois University.

Stan retired from Naperville North High School after teaching and coaching for 34 years in Naperville. Stan built an incredible teaching and coaching career. He touched many student’s lives in the classroom, as a football, track and wrestling coach. From 1977 to 1990, Stan served as the Naperville North’s Head Wrestling coach. Where he was known as a force in the wrestling community. During that time, he built a legacy with five regional championships, three sectional championships, three DVC championships and in 1987 the wrestling team took second at the Dual Team State tournament. Later, Stan was inducted into the NNHS Hall of Fame, Illinois Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame and Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

Stan was an active member of the Soo Lake United Lake Association, where he served as president for many years, involved with the IWCOA and Wednesday morning coffee club.

He excelled at fishing, but above all, Stan loved being a husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa.

Stan is survived by his son Matthew (JulieAnn) Gruszka of Schaumburg, IL and by his grandchildren Luke (Sarah) Gruszka of Huntley, IL; Logan (Marilynda) Gruszka of United States Army; Lindsey (Jonathan) Hamilton of Huntley, IL and Lexus Gruszka of Schaumburg, IL and by great grandson Carson Gruszka of Huntley, IL and further survived by his siblings Andrea Kojder of Homer Glen, IL and Phillip (Kendra) Gruszka of Pittsburg, PA and by many other relatives and friends.

Stan was preceded in death by his wife Denise A. Gruszka and by his parents Stanley and Harriet Gruszka Sr.

Memorial Gathering for Stan will be held on Friday, June 19th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Phillips, WI.

Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com

HEINDL-NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES OF PHILLIPS, WI IS SERVING THE FAMILY.