Joseph "Joe" Lee Florek

The Man, the Myth, the Legend. Just call him Joe. A simple moniker for a complex man. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago in an era gone by. He met the one true love of his life and wife of 52 years, Noreen (Van Kooten) Florek, at Fenger High School. He was called on by Uncle Sam and proudly served his time at Fort Benning, GA. He was a master craftsman and jack of all trades who could turn an outhouse into a penthouse. He lived his life by the montra of work hard, play harder. Joe had an infectious smile that was contagious to all who had the pleasure of sharing a drink with him. He was known for his sense of humor which was much needed as a life long Bears fan. He raised his three chidren, Dawn, Jen and Bill, in Tinley Park, IL where he spent his career with a paint brush in hand reminding everyone, 'Painters do it with loving strokes!' Joe loved his Harley's loud, cocktails stiff and family near. He spent his retirement years in a state of bliss on Florida's many gulf shore beaches, chilling out on the bank of the Imperial River in Bonita Springs where he woud tell anyone who would listen, 'it is always 80 degrees and sunny!' He was known simply as Ga by his beloved grandchildren, Zack and Allie Miller, children of Jen (Ed) Miller, Zach, Josef, Brooklyn and John Florek, children of Bill (Jennifer) Florek, and Robin and Aidan Beachwood, children of Dawn (Doug) Beechwood. He will leave his family in good hands knowing the value of hard work and importance of seeing projects through to completion. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. There will be a celebration of his life held privately on Saturday October 17, 2020. Cremation arrangements have been handled by Vandenberg Funeral Home. For questions or to sign the online memorial book, visit www.vandenbergfuenralhome.com .