Obituary of Thomas Frank Bleck

Thomas Frank Bleck, 94, passed peacefully on May 11, 2024 in Milwaukee, WI. Tom was born in Waukegan, IL on August 13, 1929 to Henry and Edna (nee Kilbert) Bleck. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Virginia (nee Pavlik), his four siblings Eugene, Jack, Carol Gabriel, and Daniel; granddaughter Katie Bleck; and great grandson Archie Kelly. He is survived by his loving children Thomas G. Bleck (Marcia), Wadsworth, IL; James H. Bleck (Jane), Chelmsford, MA; Catherine M. Bleck (George Muschler), Cleveland Hts., OH; Marilynn A. Cobbs (Cabell), Irvine, CA; Robert F. Bleck (Patricia), Libertyville, IL; Susan M. Gibbs (Dan), Scottsdale, AZ; Linda M. Bleck (David Mai), Mequon, WI; John W. Bleck (Diane), Tomball, TX; and Charles D. Bleck (Linda), Chicago, IL.; his grandchildren, Gary (Tamara) Bleck and Karen (Dave) Banick; Carolyn (Alex) Kosowski, Stephen Bleck, Elizabeth (Bo) Mostowy, and Chrisine (Justin) Sayres; Cari (D. Mike) Kelly, James Muschler, and Ana (Grant) Nerderman; Kathrynn (Andy) DiGenova, Thomas (Michaela)Cobbs, and Jaclynn Cobbs; Julia (Kyle) Valley, Brian (Heather), Jesse, and Emma Bleck; Hannah (Kyle) Margolies and Will Gibbs; David and Sarah Mai; Lillian and Lucy Durand and Jack Bleck; and Vivien and Henry Bleck. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Ben, Anna, and Julia Kosowski; Josie and Alice Banick; Claire and Emily Mostowy, Vivian and George Sayres; Quincy, Finley, and Ginny Kelly; Harley DiGenova and Margot Cobbs; and Ellis Bleck.

Tom attended St. Anastasia Grade School and Waukegan Township High School. Upon graduation from the University of Illinois with a BS in Architectural Engineering he married the love of his life, Virginia, on June 16th , 1951 and they celebrated 62 years of marriage until her death in 2012. Tom served in the US Army Corp of Engineers in France from 1952-1953 during the Korean War. Once he was discharged, he moved back to Waukegan to join his family and worked for the design firm of Ganster and Henninghousen. In 1956 Tom founded his own architecture firm in Waukegan, IL and was later joined in the early 1960’s by his younger brother, Dan, and became Bleck & Bleck Architects. His career spanned over 40 years designing many banks, libraries, schools, churches, homes, factories, and theme parks. His largest clients were Six Flags Great America and Ocean Spray which led to work across the country. Throughout the years, all nine Bleck kids worked at the office in some capacity learning the value of hard work from their father. In his retirement he also consulted with his two architect sons and was the Building Commissioner for the Village of Beach Park. In addition to designing, Tom loved to build things. He built two family homes, many model airplanes with his boys, and could fix just about anything with his “I can do that” attitude. Tom was also an accomplished landscape watercolor artist and enjoyed capturing the scenes of places he had visited. He was a huge football fan, playing high school football, then coaching his younger brother’s team, and continued throughout life as a Bears and Illini fan. He also loved to play basketball, especially with his kids, and built a half-court in the backyard. His large family enjoyed many games with him as the leader.

Tom led his life by example as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to all. He enjoyed family gatherings, vacations and fishing trips. He enjoyed driving trips across the country with Virginia to visit their children and grandchildren. He loved to share his life memories and stories with his family. He had a great sense of humor and brought smiles to the faces of those around him and was known for being kind, humble and friendly, treating everyone with respect.

He was a member of Our Lady of Humility Church in Zion, IL for many years and then St. Joseph’s Church in Libertyville, IL.

Visitation will be held at McMurrough Funeral Chapel,101 Park Pl, Libertyville on May 16^th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm . Funeral with be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 121 E. Maple Ave., Libertyville, IL. On May 17th, at 10:30. Interment with military honors to follow at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville.  Funeral info (847) 362-2626. Please sign the guestbook at libertyvillefuneralhome.com

The Mass will be livestreamed via the following LINK