Daniel J. Kwiat

Daniel J. Kwiat, 80, of Hickory Hills and Chicago, IL passed away Wednesday, August 18 th . Beloved husband of Carolann Kwiat (nee Bonior) for 52 years. Devoted father of Kevin (Jennifer) Kwiat, Sharell (Ken) Sandvoss, and Kimberly (Marc) Rieck. Beloved Grandpa of Jonathan, Julia, Tyler, Ryan, Alexis, Elaina and Gareth. Loving son of the late Charles and Rose Kwiatkowski. Dearest brother of Ralph (the late Phyllis) Kwiatkowski, and the late Charles (Irene) Kwiatkowski, the late Elaine (the late Pete) Lipa, and the late Alice (Stanley) Labak. Devoted friend and fond uncle to many nieces and nephews. Daniel was one of five children raised on the South Side of Chicago. He attended St. Anne’s Grammar School, and left Chicago to attend St. Bonaventure Minor Seminary for his freshman year. He returned to Chicago to graduate from Thomas Kelly High School in 1958. He studied at Bogan Junior College where he met his close friends for life, Bob Bitunjac and Rich Vish, who together with Dan, enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in August of 1963. In the mid 1960’s, Dan met Carolann Bonior, and immediately knew she was the love of his life. She was working at The Warner Corporation, and he encouraged her to join the Young Republicans, where they spent time together. He missed their first date in December of 1966 due to a skiing accident that left him with a broken ankle. After a misunderstanding of the situation and subsequent reconciliation fit for a sitcom episode, their courtship continued on crutches until their engagement in March. They were married November 11, 1967 at St. Camillus Church in Chicago. Dan received his Bachelor in Accounting from Northwestern in 1970 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1973. After working for the State of Illinois, he started his own public accounting practice and was well loved by his clients. He served as presidents of the Illinois CPA Society South Chapter and the Hickory Hills Lions Club. He also dedicated his time to the Holy Name Society, as Leader of Song at St. Patricia, at the American Legion Post #991, and more recently as an active member of Starved Rock Yacht Club (S.Y.R.C.). Dan loved his toys, from his numerous vans to boats, campers and RVs. He was an avid collector of computers, staplers, video equipment, sewing machines, hats, skiis, lapidary tools and semi-precious stones. Dan was happiest when with extended family at the campground, boating on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, and spending time with “CLUB”, nurturing friendships that have surpassed more than half a century. He played piano and guitar, loved to sing alongside his siblings, and embraced his Polish heritage. He also traveled extensively and cherished the many trips made with family and friends, particularly joining Al and Maria Herman to fulfill his lifelong dream of visiting Poland in 1999. In his later years, he enjoyed watching his tomatoes grow and feeding the birds in the backyard. Dan was so proud of his three children and loved them deeply. From time spent in Indian Guides and Indian Princesses in their early years to supporting them as they built families and careers of their own. He was blessed with seven grandchildren with whom he shared his philosophies and life lessons. He was a gifted storyteller with a strong faith in God, quest for knowledge, positive attitude, and undying love for family. He was a cancer survivor who braved many physical battles, but his spirit never waned. Even as the world faced the COVID pandemic, Dan relentlessly sewed over 700 masks and distributed them to local healthcare centers and everyone he met. Dan was known for doing what he wanted, when he wanted, how he wanted. We are all lucky to have had him in our lives and he will be missed dearly. The Visitation for Dan Kwiat will take place Sunday August 29th from 2:00pm to 8:00pm at The Palos Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 South Southwest Highway Palos Hills, IL 60465 (located next to McDonald’s). Friends and family are asked to meet at the Funeral Home Monday morning at 9:00 AM for the procession to St. Patricia Catholic Church, 9050 S. 86th Avenue, Hickory Hills, IL 60457 for the 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial. Procession to Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, IL. to follow, where Dan will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers, the Kwiat family kindly asks that you consider making a donation to S.R.Y.C. (Starved Rock Yacht Club) Charities, American Legion Marrs-Meyer Post 991, or Misericordia in Dan’s name.Orrico Kourelis Funeral Services Inc. is entrusted with all arrangements. For further information please contact 877/974-9201 or 815/260-0668 or www.orricofuneral.com