Jan Zajac - 76

Crete, Illinois

Jan Harry Zajac, age 76, passed away suddenly on June 26, 2023. He was born on June 11, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois to Chester Zajac and Stella (Surma) Zajac. He was raised in Roseland, Illinois, where he graduated from Mendel High School. Jan attended the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University. He was active in theater and the arts throughout his youth.

Jan married the love of his life, Deborah Bernardi, an artist and art educator, on June 25, 1977. in Chicago, Illinois. The arts played a central role throughout their life together.

Jan’s entrepreneurial spirit led quickly to business ownership with partner Dan West. In 1976 they established West & Zajac Advertising, Inc., a full-service agency providing a wide range of creative and media services to clients in industrial, medical, automotive, real estate, financial, and consumer markets. Jan retired from West & Zajac in 2009.

A true “people person,” Jan was happiest at work when calling on his clients. He delighted in learning about the inner workings of their companies, production processes, and industries. Many clients became lasting friends.

Jan liked to say, “Life is a journey, and life’s greatest tragedy is not having enjoyed the trip.” Jan and Deborah loved to travel together. They visited 41 foreign countries, ranging as far as Australia, China, and South America, and visited all 50 states. Jan and Deborah traveled independently in their earlier years and then developed an appreciation for the cruise life.

Jan was a talented artist who was passionate about depicting the human form. He enjoyed collecting and particularly liked finding objects with unusual stories. He liked to cook and friends and family will attest to his skill. At home or away, he enjoyed fine dining, good wines, and the companionable pleasures of the table.

He loved learning about history through documentaries and reading. He enjoyed archery, a skill he taught his nieces and nephews. Those who knew and loved Jan will remember him as kind, generous, and charismatic, a true gentleman.

Jan was preceded in death by his parents Chester and Stella Zajac and older brother Eugene Zajac.

He is survived by his wife Deborah and brothers Gerald (May) and their daughter Marisa and James (Sarah). Survivors also include Eugene’s wife Marcella and son Jesse (Kelly) and their son Bronson; Deborah’s brother John and his son Philip (Krisi) and  their son Luca, and daughter Rebecca; and Deborah’s brother Michael (Roberta) and their children Blaise, Bryce (Alexandrea) and their son Owen, and Nicole.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Panozzo Bros, 530 West 14th Street, (US Rt 30, 3 blks E of Western Ave) Chicago Heights, IL, 60411.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jan’s name to Paralyzed Veterans of America (www.pva.org) and the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation at 15430 S 70th Avenue, Orland Park, IL, 60462 or www.treasurechest.org would be appreciated by the Zajac family.