EVERGREEN PARK—James K. Matkaitis, “Jimmy”, “MAT”, “Mac”, passed away while undergoing treatment for cancer on April 22, at OSF-Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park, where he was also born on June 5, 1953.
Jimmy is survived by his beloved sisters, Nancy (Jim) Sorensen and Kathy (Kurt) Uhlir, and loved by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dolores Matkaitis, and his brothers Larry (Valerie) and Jerry (Ruth).
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, he attended grade school at St. Christina in Mt. Greenwood, where he also served as an altar boy.
He graduated from Brother Rice High School in the class of 1971 as a National Merit semi-finalist and Illinois State Scholar. He went on to graduate from Northern Illinois University in 1975. Jimmy worked at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange upon college graduation. Later in life he created a small internet business where he prided himself on his great customer service reviews.
Jimmy, a resident of Evergreen Park, was an avid Chicago Bears fan. His interests included water skiing, snow skiing, golfing, traveling, cooking, reading, making new friends, and talking politics.
He had many friends and kept in frequent contact with them. “Jimmy had a big heart and an easy laugh," "a great guy," "a good man,” and “a friend for life.” These are just some comments his friends shared.
He was easygoing, always positive, enjoyed people and made many lifelong friends from his childhood years. Jimmy maintained friendships from his NIU fraternity family, his CBOE friends, his neighbors, and anyone else who was lucky enough to cross paths with him.
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