Edward C. Hosty, 50, of Chicago, formerly of River Forest, died peacefully on Oct. 25 after a brave battle with cancer. Ed graduated from St. Luke School, a proud Bearcat of the Class of ’88. He graduated from Fenwick High School in 1992 and was proud to see his sons become the fourth generation in his family to attend Fenwick. Ed was a talented athlete whose journey began at St. Luke and Fenwick. He went on to play basketball (1 year) and football (4 years) at Princeton, graduating with the Class of ’96. A loyal friend, he was loved and appreciated by many, who gathered to visit him in his final months. A passionate Bears, White Sox, and Blackhawks fan, he attended many games over the years. His greatest pride was in his boys. He loved nothing more than cheering them on from the sidelines, often with an enthusiastic shout, and coaching them during their younger years. Watching them play brought him a deep sense of purpose.
He loved hosting gatherings for friends and family, and had a unique ability to make everyone feel welcome. He was a fine chef, specializing in perfectly cooked beef tenderloin, Cox family dip, and Juicy Lucy Burgers, and learned Italian traditions such as seven fishes or sugo from Aunt Marilyn. His famous vodka/lemonades for Lincoln Ave. Fest were a crowd favorite. He achieved excellence in all he undertook.
Ed was the husband of Laura (Lassandro) Hosty; the father of Edward Jr. (EJ), Francesco (Frankie), and William Hosty; the son of Susan (Cox) and the late Thomas Edward Hosty III; the brother of Thomas E. IV (Kathleen) Hosty, Joan (Michael) Beacom, Luke Hosty, and Susan Hosty; the former sister-in-law of Kathleen Hosty; the son-in-law of the late Ross and Loretta Lassandro; brother-in-law of Aaron Lassandro and the late Tony Lassandro; uncle of Hannah, Eileen, Tommy, and Emmett Hosty, Mary Helen, Mike, Dave, and Grace Beacom, Luke, Cici, and Claire Hosty, and Aries Lassandro.
Visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road (2 blocks west of Mannheim), Westchester, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 3 until 8 p.m. On Thursday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m., funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke Church, with interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hosty Family Trust to support the boys’ education.
Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko-Director.