Racine – Charles Edward Roback, 47, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2008 following a valiant fight with cancer. He was born in Chicago on September 29, 1960, the son of Edward and Mary (nee: Harrison) Roback. Charles was raised and attended school in Crystal Lake, Illinois; and had lived in Racine since 1995.
Charles lived and worked coast-to-coast in the food service industry until he came to the Racine Marriott Hotel where he was the Executive Chef for 10 years. He delighted in cooking to please others, always paying attention to the smallest details and going the extra mile. His work and his customers were among the most important things in his life. In his free time, Charles enjoyed caring for his flower garden, reading, and American history.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Kathryn Roback of Crystal Lake, Illinois; sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Michael Nawrocki of St. Charles, Illinois; niece and nephew, Laura and Edward Nawrocki; as well as other relatives and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Leo Roback.
The celebration of his life and the Funeral Mass will be held at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Burial will take place alongside his father in Fox River Grove, Illinois on Thursday. Visitation will take place in the funeral home Monday evening from 5-7 p.m., and in the church Tuesday from 10-11 a.m. Memorials in honor of Charles to the American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road Des Plaines, IL 60018; or the Froedtert Hospital Foundation for Neurosciences, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226 are encouraged.
Charles’ family thanks Dr. Mark Malkin and Dr. Wade Mueller of the Froedtert Lutheran Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Michael Mullane, for their skilled treatment and compassionate care given to Charles and his family.
Doris Nelson says
Aneesa Nuruddin says
I feel, that I have lost a VERY good friend and TEACHER. Charles was my mentor, I will surely miss him and his dry wit….I am SO SORRY that i was not there to say my last good byes to my “CHEF”…ALL his close friends know how I felt about Charles. I love and applaud his mother for her strenghth and love during this time of seeing about HER child that her strenght and love and compassion was not abated. I only WISH that i had of known…but…GOD plans and man plans and GOD indeed is the best of Planners. From God we come and to GOD we shall all return…Peace and Blessings of God be on Charles. Love always and Forever….aneesa