Joel I. Salk

Joel I. Salk passed away peacefully at home on July 16 with his wife Lorabelle (nee Mayerson), children Scott (Diane), Andy, and Ellen by his side. He is also survived by his grandchildren Ben Garfin, Ari Garfin, Sasha Salk, Edie Salk, and Henry Garfin. Joel was born in Chicago on July 6, 1930, son of Mildred (nee Jaffe) and Charles Salk. He grew up in the Austin neighborhood and delighted in talking about his days on the Austin High School basketball team where he was known as “The Big JS.” He attended the University of Illinois in Champaign for one year, transferring to Roosevelt University in Chicago where he graduated in 1952. While at Roosevelt, a classmate fixed him up on a blind date with her best friend, which led to a glorious 68 year marriage to Lorrie. The young newlyweds built a house on Dartmouth Road in Flossmoor where they raised their family and lived for over 35 years. Soon after getting married, Joel partnered with his dear uncle, Harold Jaffe, to form Jaffe Commercial Finance Company in Chicago Heights. Eventually, recognizing it was becoming increasingly challenging to compete with the banking industry, and without any experience in banking, he acquired River Oaks Bank and Trust in Calumet City, spearheading growth that, fifteen years later, attracted The Exchange National Bank to acquire River Oaks. In 1991, Joel, in part to partner with his son Andy, returned to community banking by acquiring First Eagle Bank in the western suburbs. A new headquarters was built in Chicago’s burgeoning West Loop and the bank recently celebrated it’s 30 year anniversary. Joel would continue going to work every day until the start of the pandemic. While Joel loved his work, it paled in comparison to his love of family. He was a devoted son to his mother Mildred Jaffe Salk (he called her twice a day for 40 years), who passed away in 2017 at age 112. He was also exceptionally close to her four brothers, Uncles Bernard (Goldie), Elmer (Hazel), Harold (Billie), and Dorman (Shirley) Jaffe, as well his father’s sister, his Aunt Edith Salk. The apples of Joel’s eye were his wife Lorrie (“Sweetness”), his children, his daughter-in-law Diane, and his grandchildren. While Sunday night family dinners were the norm, Joel and Lorrie built a summer home in New Buffalo, MI, to spend even more time with the kids and grandkids. Joel had many interests, including history in general and World War II specifically. He was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. Indeed, Joel completed an “Executive MBA program” at Harvard University while in his 50’s. He was also passionate about his Jewish heritage. While President of Temple Anshe Sholom, he used his entrepreneurial acumen to facilitate a merger with another synagogue. Joel relished a lively debate and most found his extensive knowledge and impeccable logic formidable. His kindness, generosity, and sense of humor endeared him to many. The family wishes to thank our parents’ extraordinary caregivers of the last few years, Rutsy Morrison, Bebie Ybanez and Mildred Loya. At Joel’s request, a private funeral with immediate family was held. Memorial contributions in Joel’s memory may be made to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, USHMM, PO Box 1852, Highland Park, IL 60035-7852, https://www.ushmm.org.