Donald Richard Demski

Donald R. Demski, age 91, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Don was born in Chicago on November 10, 1932. He was a graduate of Steinmetz High School and the University of Illinois. Commissioned a 2nd lieutenant upon graduating from Illinois, Don spent eight years as an officer in the Army and Army Reserve.

In 1964, Don married the love of his life, Marlene Allessi, a school teacher. Together, they raised three children, Julie, Mary Kay, and Steven, moving to Arlington Heights in 1971.

Don spent 40 years as a marketing executive, mainly at United Airlines and McDonald’s Corporation. He was with these two companies during their periods of most dynamic growth: United, during its transition from piston to jet aircraft in the 1960’s, and McDonald’s, during its massive roll out of stores across the USA and the world. Don retired from McDonald’s in 1996.

For the past 25 years, Don and Marlene have enjoyed welcoming family and friends to their winter home in sunny Jupiter, Florida.

Since retiring, Don pursued a number of his life-long interests. He was an avid reader, a history buff, and expert on the Old West. He and Marlene traveled extensively, both independently and on cruises and tours. He spear-headed several reunions of his high school class. For over ten years, he taught classes at Roosevelt University’s Institute For Continuing Learning (ICLRU) on a wide range of subjects and areas of expertise.

Don is survived by Marlene, his wife of 60 years, children Julie Castin (Andy) of Jupiter, FL, Mary Kay Hanlon (Tim) of Lake Forest, IL and Steven Demski of Austin, TX, and grandchildren Anna, Nicola, Matthew, Abby and Lucy. He was preceded in death by his parents Gertrude and Edward Demski, and older brother Edward Demski, Jr.

Visitation will be held at the Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004, on Sunday, October 6 from 2:00-5:00 p.m., followed by a funeral mass at St. James Catholic Church in Arlington Heights on Monday, October 7 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will also be offered at the church prior to the mass from 9:00-10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Ronald McDonald’s Children’s Charities would be appreciated.