Family man created Cop Card program, served his country

Harry Paney loved photography, fishing, theater and especially his children and grandchildren.

"He was so proud of us all, so very affirming of us all, and we'll celebrate that love," said his oldest son Wayne Paney of Joliet.

Mr. Paney, 81, an Itasca resident for 56 years, died on Valentine's Day at his home from a stroke.

Family members plan to host a Celebration of the Amazing life of Harry E. Paney at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Itasca Holiday Inn, 860 W. Irving Park Road in Itasca.

Mr, Paney grew up in Los Angeles and enlisted in the Coast Guard when he was 17.

He won Purple Heart Awards for injuries, which left him with shrapnel in his leg and hearing loss in one ear. After he was discharged in 1946, he married Martha Parker and studied at Bethel College and the University of Minnesota.

He taught photography at Moody Bible Institute and worked at Arthur Anderson for many years. He also produced training films, and as a consultant with Arthur Anderson produced episodes of Sesame Street in New York and in France.

Mr. Paney also had a long history of volunteering. He was a Boy Scouts leader, helped out at Itasca Public Library and won a People's Choice Award at Spring Brook Nature Center in Itasca.

He was among the Daily Herald's Top Newsmakers of 2006 because he spent more than 100 hours taking photos of Itasca Police Department employees that eventually turned into Cop Card profiles for the community.

"It's a great loss," said his son Wayne Paney. "He left a great heritage and a great legacy for us, so we're grateful for that."

Mr. Paney never declined invitations from family members, loved taking his kids and grandchildren to theater performances in downtown Chicago, was a giver and would beam with pride every time a family member had an accomplishment, Wayne Paney said.

"He was a very generous dad, a very loving dad," he said.

Wayne Paney said his dad always insisted on the importance of quality and integrity.

"Those are two values I carry forward from him," he said.

Mr. Paney is survived by his children, Wayne Paney, Jan Paney, Sheri Danicek and Dale Paney; his former wife Martha Paney and many grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sons, Bill Paney and Scot Paney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Itasca Library Foundation or Itasca Police Cop Card Program would be appreciated.