Eugene “Gene” McCormack, 85, died on Aug. 13, 2025. Known to many as Skip, Dad, Grandpa, or Coach Mac, Gene was a kind and empathetic man with a smile that lit up any room he entered.
Born on April 26, 1940, to the late Mary and Gene McCormack, big brother to Linda (Ron Samolinski) and Teresa (Mike Brunick), he was a lifelong learner with a deep passion for knowledge. A voracious reader, as a child in Ottawa, Illinois the public library was a beloved place for him. He would often marvel at a word spoken that caught his attention. He would stop and say, “Oh, good word!” For decades, he was a gifted and loved high school math teacher, sharing his wisdom at East and West Leyden, IHM, and OPRF high schools. He happily tutored many of his grandchildren, from Algebra 1 to Calculus. He loved to coach, mentoring young athletes in basketball, football, and baseball, keeping up with many of the team members after the whistles stopped. He was a constant supporter at his grandchildren’s sports and activities, often keeping score at baseball games or giving a warm hug after a tough race.
For 62 years, he was the husband of Nancy (Hertzner) and loved telling the story of how he met her in English class at Marquette High School. He and Nancy raised their three children on Wesley Avenue in Oak Park surrounded by Ascension Parish families who became lifelong friends. He cherished nature (dogs especially) and his summer vacations — packing in sunset boat rides on Berry Lake and buying donuts for all the kids.
He was a dedicated volunteer at both the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio and PFCU, a testament to giving back to his community. His legacy will live on.
Gene was the father of Jeffrey (Amy), Kelli (Chris), and Kristin (Greg); the grandfather of Sydney (Corey), Maeve, Sean (Faith), Sammy (Natalie), Vivian, Henry, Ruby, and Violet; and the great-grandfather of Jamie, Lainey, Nolan, Elsie, Addison, Payton, and Sophie. His love for his family was palpable to all.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ascension-St. Edmund Parish.
Services will be held at Ascension Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 30, followed by the funeral Mass at 10:30. Luncheon afterward at the Carleton Hotel, 1110 Pleasant St., Oak Park.