Matthew T. Husar

Matthew T. Husar, a lifelong resident of Chicago and the south suburbs, died July 4, 2022, at his home in Palos Heights following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Husar, 70, was born Feb. 3, 1952, in Chicago to John Z. and Kathryn Husar. After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School on Chicago’s Southwest Side, Husar earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography in 1977 from Eastern Illinois University at Charleston. Husar had a lifetime affection for railroading and spent most of his life working in railroad-related fields. At one point he served as a trainmaster for the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad. He later got involved in railroad safety work and served for a time as a railroad accident investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board. Husar spent 26 years with Metra Commuter Rail before retiring in 2012 as Superintendent of the Rock Island Line. Additional titles held were Director of Operations and Assistant Superintendent of the Metra Electric Line. Husar served as treasurer of the Chicago Railroad Superintendents Association where he was a member for more than 23 years. An avid biker, bird watcher, nature lover and amateur aviation spotter, Husar also was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Palos Heights. He was actively engaged in the church’s Big Build homebuilding program and a regular attendee of the bible study group. Husar is survived by his wife, the former Donna Gallinaitis of Palos Heights; daughters Emma, Madeline and Claire Husar of Palos Heights; daughter Chyanne Husar, son-in-law Jason Fess and granddaughter Eloise Husar Fess, all of Brookfield; sister Jez Husar and partner Kent Heath of Freeport; brothers Mike Husar and his wife, Barbara, of Chicago, Fred Husar of Lyons and Edward Husar and his wife, Deborah, of Quincy; mother-in-law Anna Gallinaitis, brother-in-law Willie Gallinaitis and his wife, Evelyn, of Westmont; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Husar was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest brother, John P. Husar, a longtime sports writer and outdoors columnist for the Chicago Tribune. Visitation Thursday 4:00 to 8:00 pm with a 7:00 pm Remembrance Service at Good Shepherd Church (7800 S. McCarthy Rd Palos Hts). Lying in state Friday 9:00 am until time of Funeral Service at 10:00 am at Good Shepherd Church Palos Hts. Interment Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to any of the following organizations: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://www.pancan.org/ Rails to Trails Conservancy: https://www.railstotrails.org/ American Eagle Foundation: https://www.eagles.org/. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home (708) 974-4410.