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In memory of

John George Sofianos

Palos Park, IL, USA

August 31, 1938 - April 9, 2021

Aug 31, 1938 - Apr 9, 2021

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John George Sofianos, 82, of Palos Park, Illinois, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, godparent, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2021. John dealt valiantly with three debilitating diseases, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Lewy Body Dementia.

John was born in Hammond, Indiana on August 31, 1938 to Constantine “Gus” and Marie (Schaeffer) Sofianos, the third child of seven. Growing up in Indiana near the Illinois border, John and his siblings were raised with a strong work ethic that John carried with him throughout his life. As a child, John had a mischievous and sharp wit that persisted into adulthood, to the distinct pleasure of his children, nieces, nephews, and friends. A childhood antic that became legend among the Sofianos family was the fact that John once ate a dozen oranges in one sitting. After attending high school at Bishop Noll in Hammond, Indiana and Miami of Ohio and Roosevelt Universities, John began his lengthy and successful career working with his father in the restaurant business as an equipment salesman for the Byczek Equipment Company.

John married the love of his life, Gail (Emlund) in 1963, and together they raised two daughters and a son. John designed an open, light-filled house in Palos Park where they raised their family. Even though he worked long hours and most days of the week, John enjoyed hosting gatherings of family and friends on his backyard deck for grilling and swimming. An intellectual as well as social man, John reveled in a good game of chess and learning about history and world events. Gail and John enjoyed traveling together as well as socializing with other couples and dancing. They even won many cruise ship twist contests over the years.

Twenty years into his career, John started his own restaurant design and equipment company, J.S. Designs, Inc., which he operated for over 35 years. Over time, John assisted with the creation and outfitting of hundreds of restaurants and food service operations throughout the Midwest and beyond, as varied as Mike Ditka’s original Chicago restaurant, Charlie Trotter’s, Portillo’s, The Patio restaurants, The Medici in Hyde Park, Enrico’s in Frankfort, the Museum of Science and Industry cafeteria, Joliet Junior College’s culinary arts kitchen, church rectory kitchens, banquet halls, country clubs, and even a couple of his own restaurants. John prided himself on doing business the “old fashioned way,” as he had a hand in every aspect of his company, including drawing neat and detailed blueprints by hand as well as preparing carbon copied invoices on an electric typewriter well beyond the time when computer assistance became available. John was a loyal and dedicated business and family man who always took a phone call, no matter what the time, and turned his full attention to the issue at hand, whether it be an urgent need of a customer or a concern with one of his children or extended family members.

A lover of life and experience, John traveled to five continents and owned a boat and a horse at different times of his life. He learned to ski in Austria as an adult and enjoyed treating his family to annual Colorado ski trips for a time. John was fond of road trips and desserts, and thus always had time for a quick detour for a slice of banana cream pie, a hot fudge sundae, or a Fannie May chocolate Pixie along the way.

Volunteerism was an important part of his life. During John’s time as the neighborhood homeowners association president, he was instrumental in the incorporation of Chinquapin Hills into Palos Park. John was a little league baseball coach and an activity chairman for the local Cub Scout troop. John’s beloved only son, Michael, died suddenly in 1994, and the unexpected loss deepened John’s appreciation for his family, career, and giving back to the community. For several years, he served on the board of St. Coletta’s of Illinois, helping to support children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. John wanted the world to be a kinder and gentler place, and he also rejoiced at opportunities to witness history first-hand. He watched from the stands as the U.S. Hockey Team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics, “the miracle on ice”, when there for business in 1980, and when President Obama delivered his acceptance speech in 2008, John was in the audience in Grant Park in Chicago.

Fiercely proud of the accomplishments of his children, John was also a kind and loving grandfather to his only grandchild, Julia Swartz, who fondly called him Papa John and basked in the radiance of his love and attention. When his daughter, Theresa, remarried, he welcomed step grandchildren Arlo and Ada Wohlgenant into the family as well. John will be remembered for his warmth and confidence; his handsome looks; his unique walk, which announced his presence with joyful authority; his generosity and care for family, friends, and colleagues; and his dedication and conscientiousness in serving others.

John is survived by his wife, Gail; his daughters, Theresa Sofianos Wohlgenant and Kathryn Sofianos; his granddaughter, Julia Swartz; his brothers, Leo (Judie), George (Barbara), Tom (Diane); sister-in-law, Jackie; brother-in-law, Charles Emlund (Louise); sister-in-law, Merri-Lou Pennington; brother-in-law, Walter Emlund; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; step grandchildren, Arlo and Ada Wohlgenant; and other extended in-laws and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Marie; son, Michael; sisters, Christine, and Claire Walko; brother, James; brother-in-law, Julian Walko; brother-in-law Carl Emlund; parents-in-law, Robert and Frances Emlund; sister-in-law, Roberta Anderson; and son-in-law, Mark Wohlgenant. A memorial service will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Coletta’s of Illinois Foundation in memory of John. Please go to the "Give" section of this website in order to contribute.

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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to St. Coletta's of Illinois Foundation.

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