Gerald Osowski Obituary (1941 - 2021)

Gerald Osowski, 79, of Lake Summerset, IL passed away peacefully at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, a victim of Covid 19, surrounded by his entire immediate family per restricted viral regulations. He was a 1959 Rockford East High graduate and attended the Univ. of Illinois and Univ. of Wisconsin at Whitewater before joining the Army National Guard OCS training program and becoming Liaison Officer for Headquarters Company. He had several deployments for flood and riot duty during his several years with the National Guard. He later became sales manager for Abana Products and Display Craft, Inc., before joining a business partner in purchasing Hazen Display Corp. where he served as President while they continually expanded the company until retirement in later years. Jerry loved speed competition—racing sports cars, sailing in regattas across the US, and racing radio-controlled boats and airplanes. He also enjoyed flight training during his early college years earning solo status. He and his business partner, Marvin Conrad, were NRA members and sporting clay enthusiasts and invented and patented their own gun equipment caddies. Jerry also enjoyed golf and playing at Monroe Country Club with local friends for many years. He also served on the Board of Directors of the State Bank of Davis for several years. While he and his wife lived 46 years at Lake Summerset, a lot of time was spent on committees and serving as President of the Association; he was very proud of the residential and recreational community it had become. Good quality time was spent with family and friends in water sports of all kinds, and he was a charter member of the Lake Summerset Yacht Club that provided weekly sailboat races for many years which led to BVI bareboat sailing cruises with fellow crewmembers. He especially enjoyed towing grandkids behind the pontoon and paddling his kayak around the lake. His love of cooking led to gourmet cooking classes in Chicago followed by forming the “Gourmet Club” at the lake where several friends served FORMAL dinners to their wives occasionally. Jerry also served as Master of his Masonic Lodge and a member of the Freeport Consistory in addition to Tebala Shrine. His presence will be sorely missed by Nancy, his wife of 55 years, son Jeff (Melissa) Osowski, daughter Jennifer (John) Amacher, granddaughters Emily and Alexis Osowski, and grandsons Jarod,Jacob and Jace Amacher and Drew Osowski, in addition to granddogs Maggie, Sparky and Duke. He also leaves surviving numerous cousins. Jerry was predeceased by parents Walter and Juanita Osowski, stepmother Frances Osowski, Father-in-law Glen Johnson and Mother-in-law Harriet Johnson. Cremation rites were accorded by McCorkle Funeral Home- Durand Chapel, with no formal social gathering at this time due to Covid. Private family celebration will occur at a later date in the year. In lieu of flowers to family, memorials will be suggested to The First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pecatonica, St. Jude Research Hospital, or the American Cancer Society.