John (Jack) Edward Cudahy died on February 14, 2026 at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. He was born, as Jack would say, on the second of May, 1950 in Waukegan, IL. Jack spent his youth in Gurnee, IL and later moved to Lake Villa. His parents, John (Jack) Cudahy, Sr. and Eileen Paustian (nee Rudd), stepfather Victor Paustian and brother William Cudahy preceded him in death. He is survived by his two children Brian Kilgo-Kelly and Olivia (Michael) Samms, grandsons Grayson and Easton and many cousins. Jack is also survived by his longtime partner Colleen Murphy. They spent more than a decade together enjoying life and supporting each other.

After serving our country as a member of the United States Air Force for four years at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Jack decided to make Mountain Home, ID his home for the ensuing four decades. He started and operated two businesses–Big O Tires, a heavy-duty tire retailer, and a drywall contracting company before returning home to Gurnee to help care for his mother.

Jack was a voracious consumer of news and valued being informed–reading two newspapers cover to cover each day. He loved sports, especially football, and was a diehard Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan. At a young age, his stepfather Victor introduced him to fishing–an endeavor that would be a passion of his for most of his life. Spending 40 years in the Mountain West, Jack developed a great love of the outdoors.

Equanimity, intelligence, common sense and decency were Jack's defining qualities. His philosophy on life was simplicity defined–don't sweat the small stuff and no matter how bad the day might be there was always tomorrow. Whenever someone said something profound, he would reply with a wry smile and say, "True story." Jack possessed a great sense of humor and always appreciated the value of a good laugh.

His mortal remains along with those of his brother Bill will be interred in a grave next to their mother at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville, IL. May God's gifts of grace and peace be with Jack now that he enjoys the Lord's eternal warm embrace.

An Irish blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.