John "Jerry" Jerome Leligdon Jr.

John Leligdon lived his life with love for his family, integrity in his work, and passion for all he did. Family, friends, and co-workers all called him “Jerry”. His energy, smile, and sense of humor impacted so many people in his lifetime.

Raised by his parents John and Bernice on the south side of Chicago, Jerry grew up a White Sox fan. As a young man, he enlisted in the Marines. When he returned from service, he met the love of his life Anne, who he affectionately called Anna. They married in November of 1960 and would have celebrated 64 years of marriage this coming November.

Jerry and Anna started their life together in Chicago before moving to Buffalo Grove in the Northwest Suburbs. There they built a house and a family. Their children include: Daughter Fran, the twins John and Jim, and their youngest son Jeff.

Jerry started working as a painter by trade. When the family moved to Buffalo Grove, a neighbor noticed he was good on a ladder. He suggested that Jerry apply for the Buffalo Grove Volunteer Fire Department. He became a fireman, and soon joined the Arlington Heights Fire Department as a professional fire fighter. After 26 years of service, he retired as a Captain and Shift Commander.

There were many family gatherings at the house in Buffalo Grove as it was filled with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, 16 cousins, grandkids, and lots of Lasagna, Pierogi, Love, and Laughter.

In his free time, he continued his painting business. Eventually, he traded paint brushes and buckets for fishing poles and coolers as he began running Bella Mora Charters on Lake Michigan. With the help of sons John and Jeff, they successfully ran two fishing boats for many years.

Upon retirement, Jerry and Anna discovered Sun City, Arizona. They began traveling there as snowbirds, and eventually became full-time residents of Sun City. Their home there became the new family gathering place, welcoming more grandkids, and making new friends.

He loved golfing with Jeff, John, and some of his best friends – new or lifelong – in the Sun City community. He was happy playing in Poker tournaments with Jim. He enjoyed spending time with Fran and her family. When he had some free time, he’d watch an old western or good football or baseball game.

Jerry loved to travel. When the family was young, there were many road trips to fish in Arkansas or Canada, camp in Disney World’s Fort Wilderness, and even a very special family trip to Italy in 1973 to meet Anna’s relatives. Once they became empty nesters, Jerry and Anna explored Europe, spent lots of time in the Caribbean, embarked on two U.S. road trips (1 East Coast and 1 West Coast), and took 16 amazing trips to Hawaii (but who’s counting).

As a family, we feel so Thankful, Fortunate, and Lucky to have lived such a full life with Jerry. Thankful for his commitment as a husband and family man, Fortunate to grow up where we did and how we were raised, and Lucky to have spent a lifetime learning from and getting to know this wonderful man.

Jerry is survived by his wife Anna, brother Dave, sister Bonnie, his four children, eleven grandchildren, and 5 (plus 1 on the way) great grandchildren.

He will be forever missed and always remembered.

Please consider donations to one of the following organizations:

Stand Up to Cancer

https://standuptocancer.org/#

Alzheimer’s Association https://alz.org