Phil A. Kuzlik

Phil A. Kuzlik, age 69, of Chapin, SC, formerly of both Chicago and Elburn, IL, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2010. BORN: He was born on November 24, 1940, in Chicago, the son of Theophil and Marianne (Alaksiewicz) Kuzlik. EARLY YEARS:EDUCATION: Phil was a graduate of St. Rita High School in Chicago, IL. In addition to his formal schooling, his informal education came from the "school of hard knocks" and included mechanical, plumbing and electrical training. MARRIAGE: Phil was united in marriage in 1960 to JoAnn Lezon in Chicago, IL. They were blessed with five children. Following their divorce in 1980, love found Phil again when he met Pam Olson and following a whirlwind courtship, were married on February 14, 1981 and enjoyed the next twenty-nine memory making years. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: Although Phil originally lived in Chicagoland area for the first twenty-five years, he and his family called the Kaneland communities home for many years. In October of 1998, Phil and Pam moved to their present home Chapin, SC.OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Phil owned his own business, Phil’s Truck Repair, for many years, fixing all things broken. Later he would lend his "jack of all trades" expertise to many businesses, a job he brought with him when he moved to Chapin, SC. Retirement was only a word to Phil, and although technically he retired before he left for South Carolina, Phil found a "family of friends" while working for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in Victims Services. He also donned his signature Santa Suit every holiday season making the spirits brighter with every smile and hearty "Ho Ho Ho". MEMBERSHIPS: He was a member of the Community Congregational Church of Elburn and Christ Community Church in St. Charles. The past many years he served as church usher and member of the greeter team at East Lake Community Church in Irmo, SC. He also was a member of the Citizens Academy for both the Columbia Police Department and Richland County Sheriffs Department as well as the Citizen’s Academy of the FBI.LIFE NOTES: Phil had a heart that was larger than life and hug to match. He was famous not only for his "impersonation" of Kenny Rogers but when he played the part of "Santa" during the holidays when he brought forth a one-of-a-kind of holiday joy and excitement in children of all ages. Phil was a deep believer of bringing the "Christ" back into Christmas, always remembering that "He is the reason for the season." It didn’t have to be Christmas for you to receive a gift as Phil was first in line to help anyone with anything all throughout the year. SURVIVORS: He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Pamela Olson Kuzlik,Five children:Denise (Jack) Feltes of Sugar Grove, IL, Bob (Stephanie) Kuzlik of Dixon, IL, Kathryn (Scott) Hofmann of Elburn, IL, Michael Kuzlik of St. Charles, IL and Pam "Pammy" (Chris Busch) Kuzlik of Cleveland, TN;Two step-sons:Jerry (Linda) Carroll of Lakeland, FL and Randy (Toni) Carroll Guyton of GA;Twelve grandchildren:Anthony Stover, Anna Feltes, Sarah Feltes, Emma Feltes,Julie Kuzlik, Victoria Kuzlik, Chase Hofmann, Ciarra Busch, Dylan Busch, Adeline Carroll, Isaiah Carroll and Joshua Carroll;Two sisters:Therese Kuzlik and Luanne (Allan) Thiel-Dehar;A score of unofficial "adoptive" children and his beloved dogs, Maggie and Molly. PRECEDED:He is preceded in death by his parents. VISITATION / FUNERAL A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday September 25, 2010 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made and mailed to any of the following charities: Palmetto Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 100199, Dept. 274, Columbia, SC 29202 or the East lake Community Church, ACTS Metro, 10057 Broad River Road, Irmo, SC 29063. Tributes may also be forwarded in his name to P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119 or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday September 25, 2010 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL.