Conant wrestling coach loses life to cancer

Well-respected Conant High School wrestling coach Chris Hruska lost his battle with brain cancer last week.

Hruska, 39, died April 2 in his home, just less than a year after a tumor was found and he was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer April 15, 2010.

Born in Arlington Heights, Hruska coached wrestling at Conant — where he competed as a wrestler and football player during his own high school years — since 2003 and worked at a school in Woodstock.

Student athletes he coached were shocked by Hruska’s diagnosis.

“The kids love him. When they heard this, they were crushed by what was going on,” Conant’s football coach Bill Modelski told the Daily Herald in September.

Hruska’s brother, Mike, in September described Chris as “a pretty jovial guy, open guy and fun-loving.”

Mike Hruska said his brother kept his fighting spirit alive throughout chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He thanked community members for their support and fundraising to assist with his brother’s last battle.

Chris Hruska is survived by his parents, Dennis and Geraldine Hruska, his siblings Mike Hruska and Karen Avenatti and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. April 17 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg. Memorial donations can be made in Hruska’s name to the Bob and Edna Meadows Regional Cancer Care Center at Provena St. Joseph Hospital, 77 N. Airlite Street, Elgin, 60123.