Joseph Michael Kurzeja, age 85, born January 27, 1936, passed away peacefully at home on June 24, 2021. His daughters were committed to lovingly caring for him. He lived with his youngest daughter Lynn and her family in Northbrook for many years. As his health declined, Lynn’s nursing experience and heart led the way to providing exceptional care.

Joe and his brother Walter came to the U.S. with their father, Stanley, in 1947. The two of them resided in Niles Seminary, Catholic Orphanage while their father worked to earn enough money to bring the rest of their family over from Poland. Joseph’s mother and sister joined them in 1949.

Joe lived in Chicago for most of his life and chose to attend Foreman High School because of their exceptional baseball program. His high school career batting average was .600 – truly a natural talent.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1959 and served 2 years in Germany. He was awarded the “Good Conduct Medal” for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service.

Joe took every opportunity to play ball. Early on, he started a softball league at GTE, his lifelong employer, and led his team to win the championship in 1963. Shortly after, he started “The Hornets”, out of Riis Park in Chicago. In the 80’s, the team moved to Northbrook, calling themselves “The Northbrook Hornets”, and adopted Meadowhill Park as their home field. The team played in different Chicagoland areas; and championships seem to follow wherever he went.

The Hornets organization was the most successful team ever out of the Chicagoland Area under Joe’s direction. In 1980 and 1982, they won the National Championship in the Stan Musial A.A.B.C. World Series, and third-place finishes in 1974, 1985, and 1987. In 1980 alone, their record was an astounding 70 wins, 7 losses.

The Hornets organization won 11 North-Side Chicago Park District championships over a span of 14 years. They won 9 city championships and 5 Stan Musial Regional Crowns. They also won 7 National Amateur Baseball Federation Regional Championships, taking second place in the NABF World Series in Louisville, KY in 1982 and 1983

In 1987, Joe was quoted in Chicago’s Leader Newspaper, as saying “It’s always a challenge when the last snow melts, and the temperature starts to heat up. Baseball gets back into all our minds. A new season. More thrills to see what’s in the cards. To see if we can do the job”. To this day his ball players can still hear Joe saying, “do the job!”

Joe’s ballplayers estimate he coached and won over 2,000 games over the decades. Players reported playing as many as 7 games in a weekend. Marty Miller, who played for Joe before becoming a Chicago Cub and major league scout, stated he owed a great deal of success to Joe, “If Joe told me to take a look at a guy, I knew he was going to be good”. Miller estimates he personally signed over 25 of Joe’s leads to the majors.

Joe met the love of his life, Chesine “Mary” Kalinsey on a blind date and the two married July 1, 1967. Together they raised two devoted daughters in Chicago while Joe worked at GTE as a supervisor. He gave 1000% to his family, baseball, work and fabulous “head of hair”. He raised his girls on the field and family vacations consisted of tournaments. No surprise, baseball became fun and exciting way of life for his entire family. While dedicating over 30 years of his life to baseball, he simultaneously managed to be an amazing caregiver to his wife, who suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis for over 20 years. He rarely complained and always showed up – like a soldier waiting to be released from his post.

Once his daughters were in college, Joe and his wife spent winters in Arizona and enjoyed watching horse racing and Cubs spring training, even though he was a lifelong White Sox fan.

Joe dedicated his time and heart into being a grandpa after his 5 grandkids came along. The kids affectionately called him “Baba”. Neighbors often commented on how Joe was always walking one of the kids around the block. Joe was “super nanny” for his daughters, on call 24/7.

For a little guy who came from nothing, his family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and incredible accolades expressed by all his ball players who have visited in the last 18 months while Joe was in hospice. With every visit, the immense love and admiration his players had for him became apparent and transcended all these years.

Dean “Deano” Kornacker, 25^th round draft pick by the San Francisco Giants in 1981, shared a glimpse of what Joe meant to him, stating “His love for the game was second to none. As every season came, us players always looked forward to playing, being a Hornet and seeing the whole family, including “Fluffy” the dog. It never got old. Joe knew good talent, and those players stayed and played for many years. We players were very fortunate to have played for such a special person who dedicated his life to the game of baseball. He will be missed but never forgotten”. Dean Kornacker was a Chicago/Northbrook Hornet for over 20 years.

We will miss you Joe; “Coach”, “Baba”.

Joe is survived by his loving daughters Jennifer (Bill) Dean and Lynn (Rich) Ciota, grandchildren Madilyn Annalise, Chesine Lily, Kalin Rose, Louis Richard, Quinn Gabrel, brother Walter (Nancy) and sister Anna Smuskewicz (the late Tom). We cannot forget to mention Joe’s best feline fan and grandkitty “George”.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks for donations to be made to Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, https://arpf.donorshops.com/product/Tribute/tributedonation.php in Joe’s name or directly to the family.

Memorial Service Celebration of Life

Meadowhill Park, 1501 Maple Avenue, Northbrook. Baseball diamond closest to Waukegan Rd and Volz Rd, just west of Waukegan Rd, north of Volz Rd and east of the pool.

Thursday July 1, 2021 at 12pm

In Honor of Joe’s passion for baseball, please dress casually and wear your favorite baseball attire. In true ballpark tradition – hot dogs will be served immediately following.

In Honor of Joe’s love of food, family and friends – we will be hosting a luncheon at Rich’s (son-in-law) new restaurant, Il Mio, that will be opening early Fall. The exact date to be determined. Dad would want all of you to be part of this momentous occasion.