Joseph G. Gliwa

Visitation for Joseph G. Gliwa, Jr, 88, of Palatine for over 50 years, will be on Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Hwy, Palatine. Prayers will be on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 9:30 AM also at the funeral home and process to St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 1201 E. Anderson Drive, Palatine for a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. The Entombment will follow at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles.

Joe was born on September 5, 1936, to Joseph G. Gliwa, Sr and Marie Gliwa. He passed away at home surrounded by his family on July 21, 2025.

A gifted athlete from a young age, Joe distinguished himself as an All-State running back at Holy Trinity High School in Chicago. His exceptional performance on the football field earned him a scholarship to Purdue University, where he completed his Bachelor's Degree. He later pursued further education and earned a Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University.

Joe's passion for football and dedication to mentoring young athletes led him back to Holy Trinity as an assistant football coach. In 1964, he became the head coach at Saint Viator High School, a position he held until 1971. Under his leadership, Saint Viator achieved its first football championship in school history in 1969 a milestone that remains a proud moment in the school's athletic legacy.

In 1972, Joe took on the role of head coach at Hersey High School. Over the course of his tenure there, he guided his teams to six championships and was named Mid-Suburban League Coach of the Year five times. His strategic insight and unwavering commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on countless student-athletes.

Joe’s contributions to high school athletics were recognized with numerous honors. He was celebrated as the coach of the 1969 Saint Viator Hall of Fame Football Team and inducted into several prestigious halls of fame: the Holy Trinity Hall of Fame, the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame, and the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Joe shared a 69-year marriage with his beloved wife, Barbara. Together they raised two daughters, Tracey and JoAnn, and their family grew to include five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Joe and Barbara found joy in traveling together and spent 17 treasured summers at their home in Spooner, Wisconsin.

Joe embraced life with joy and gratitude. Whether coaching on the sidelines, fishing with family up north, or strolling around Twin Lakes feeding ducks and greeting dogs, he brought warmth and optimism to every moment

Joe was the beloved husband of Barbara Gliwa for 69 years; loving father of Tracey Banville and Jo Ann (Kenn Brotman) Gliwa; cherished grandfather of Christoper (Kacie) Banville, William (Grecia) Gliwa, Lane (Regan) Banville, Emily Stone, and Griffen Pschigoda; dear great-grandfather of Eli, Hayden, Emma, Lillian. Additionally, Joe was expecting another great-grandchild in 3 weeks. He is also survived by his sister, Lorraine (the late Joseph) Topor and sister-in-law, Joni Gliwa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Richard Gliwa.