March 25, 2002
BENSENVILLE (March 25)–A sudden heart attack Saturday claimed the life of Local 1433 Legislative Representative Bruce P. Jankowski, 44.
Fellow local member Stuart Wallenberg said Brother Jankowski apparently collapsed in the garage of his Bensenville home. He was pronounced dead at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village.
Brother Wallenberg said Brother Jankowski hired out as a switchman with the Milwaukee Road’s Bensenville Yard more than 20 years ago and continued to work at that facility following the Milwaukee’s takeover by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Named to the post of legislative representative only a month ago, Brother Jankowski formerly had served four years as the local’s president and another four years as its chairman.
“He was an energetic and determined member of the local,” Brother Wallenberg said. “He would do almost anything to help his fellow employees.” UTU Illinois Legislative Director Joseph C. Szabo said much the same thing, noting that “Bruce was a very dedicated union man. On a number of occasions he endangered his employement status in order to assert the principles he believed in. He worked very, very hard for his people.”
A memorial prayer service for Brother Jankowski has been scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at Geil’s Funeral Home, York Road and Green Street, Bensenville.
A spokesman for the funeral home said Brother Jankowski is survived by a daughter, Christina, 12.
