Love of sports bested disease for Libertyville man
A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis never dimmed Irwin Czosek's love of sports or life.
Czosek, 74, of Libertyville, died Wednesday at the Westmoreland Nursing Center in Lake Forest. At the wake today will be a collection of his medals -- more than 100 -- earned over nearly a quarter-century in events for the handicapped throughout the U.S.
"He never wanted to give up," said his widow, Marilyn. "It was amazing."
Archery, billiards, table tennis, bowling and rifle marksmanship were among the sports in which Czosek excelled. His success was based on part natural ability and part determination, family members say.
Even when traveling by air, he insisted on carrying his own luggage, said his daughter, Janet, who accompanied him on many trips.
"He was loved by everybody, whether they were disabled or not disabled," she said. "He was a people person. Loved life. Didn't complain."
He was born in Chicago, graduated from Lake Forest College and was an Army veteran, serving in the Korean conflict. He was a traffic manager, tracking merchandise for Pioneer Electronics in Elk Grove Village.
"He loved being on the phone," Marilyn said. "He would talk to almost anybody, anywhere."
Symptoms of the disorder, which affects the central nervous system, began in 1976. He was diagnosed in 1980 and needed to use a wheelchair by 1983.
He was and remained an ardent baseball player and fan. He ran a league in Mundelein, where the family lived for 11 years. A Cubs fan, he made several trips to spring training in Arizona.
"We went to every baseball field there is, I think," Marilyn said. "He always loved sports -- baseball, basketball, handball. He golfed, he bowled, he did all of that."
About 20 years ago, he began competing in the Wheelchair Games and Senior Olympics, and was a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
In 2005, Czosek earned medals in 9-ball, table tennis, air guns and archery at the 25th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Minneapolis, the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. It featured nearly 500 athletes from virtually every state, as well as Puerto Rico and Great Britain.
Early on, he searched for sponsorships to defray expenses. In recent years, the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the VA Medical Center in North Chicago also helped.
Czosek's final competition was last year in Anchorage, Alaska. He did it as much for the camaraderie as for the competition, Marilyn said.
"They need that," she said.
His love of sports filtered to his five children and 12 grandchildren. Janet played volleyball at Western Illinois University on a scholarship, and son David, a pitcher, played rookie ball for the Kansas City Royals.
"He passed on his sports to all of us," Janet said. "We're a very close family."
Visitation is noon to 4 p.m. today at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. Instead of flowers, contributions can be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.