Edward Alex Milewski of Des Plaines, IL has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved him.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew him best.
Edward held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Belief, when lived, becomes a kind of inheritance.
Edward Alex Milewski, one week shy of his 91st birthday, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026, at Asbury Court Senior Living in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Born in Chicago to Stephania (Paluch) Milewski and Jan Milewski, Ed was grew up in the St. Hyacinth Parish community. After the early loss of his father at age four, Ed was lovingly raised by his stepfather, John Milewski, who cared for him and his sister, Frances, as his own. He was preceded in death by his beloved older sister, Frances (2011), and his longtime companion, Josephine Pauss (2012).
Ed attended Lane Technical High School and studied business at Wright Junior College before training through the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry. After initially working in commercial plumbing, he later built a long and respected career with the City of Chicago Water Department.
In 1957, Ed married Jean Forbes before entering the U.S. Army in 1958. The couple moved to Fort Lee in Richmond, Virginia, where they welcomed their first child, Barbara Jean in 1959. After completing his service in 1960, the family returned to Chicago, where their daughter Kathryn Ann was born in 1961. In 1966, their son Steven Edward joined the family, and they moved from their home on Natchez Avenue to a larger home on Newland Avenue in Chicago's Schorsch Village neighborhood. They were actively involved in community events, which included clubs and youth sports and activities through the Chicago Park District's Shabbona Park programs. St. Priscilla Catholic Church served as both the family's parish and elementary school. Ed and Jean later went their separate ways.
Ed retired in 1999 but remained as industrious as ever. As a landlord, he took pride in renovating and maintaining his properties. Skilled in many aspects of construction, he rarely needed outside expertise. There were few things that he couldn't build or fix himself. He generously shared his knowledge, especially with his son Steve, son-in-law John, and long-time friend Brian. He will be remembered for his charm, quick wit, warm laugh, and remarkable problem-solving ability.
He is survived by his children from his marriage to Jean: Barbara, Kathryn (John), and Steven (Eri); and by his grandchildren, Jessica (Aaron), Zachary (Danaë), Paul, Kimberly (Jason), Daniel (Hemingway), and Jeffrey (Sophia). Ed was a fun and caring grandfather who always took an interest in the activities and accomplishments of his grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Home, 6800 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. Guests are welcome to gather beginning at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow at Lone Tree Manor 7730 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=9236140&fr_id=154020&pg=personal
