Dr. Vincent Andrew Varitek, Jr., born on January 13, 1944, in Coral Gables, FL, went to rest comfortably and peacefully in the arms of the Lord on July 8, 2026, at his home in Lindenhurst, Illinois. He is preceded by his father Vincent, his mother Lenora, his sister Patricia, and Marylyn, his adoring wife of 52 years. He is survived by his sisters Julia, Katherine, Cecilia, and Teresa (Mike); his sons Matt (Joy) and Kevin (Kim); his daughters Monica (Rob) and Joan (Stan); his grandchildren Heather (Staci), Kevin Jr (Maureen), Makenzie, Victoria, Simon, Tristan (Chloe), Daphne, Chloe, Jackson, Reece, Breanne, Eugene, and Oscar; his great-grandchildren Damien, Isaac, Anthony, Aaden, Asher, Jameson, Leia, and Hudson; and many more beloved family members and dear friends. He will be remembered and honored by all whose lives he touched, and he will be forever loved by all whose lives he truly made.

His faith, his family, and his selflessness were central to the way that he lived his life. His father served in the Army Air Corps, and his childhood included several moves to different bases around the country. A few years after graduating from C.F. Brewer High School in Fort Worth, Texas, he enlisted in the Army, completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, and was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio to teach microbiology. While there, in 1966 he met a young Catholic lay missionary with whom he would share life’s journey. She cooked dinner for him and a group of friends, and after he polished off five helpings, told his best friend on the way home that he was going to marry that girl. He and Marylyn married in 1969 at Our Lady of Peace in Columbus, Ohio, and settled in Pocatello, Idaho, where he would continue his higher education and they would start their family.

Their sons Matt and Kevin were born in Pocatello while Vince earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Idaho State University. In 1974, the family moved to Durham, North Carolina where their daughter Monica was born and Vince would earn his Ph.D. from Duke University. Vince did post-doctorate work at Duke for another six years, continuing to chase scientific knowledge while providing for his family.

Vince accepted an offer of employment at Abbott Laboratories in 1983, and the family moved to Wildwood, Illinois. Within the next year, the birth of their daughter Joan made the family complete. Vince’s employment journey included over ten years at Abbott Labs, during which time he earned multiple patents for his work developing clinical tests for doctors’ use, and over ten years working in the paint department at Ace Hardware in Round Lake as the friendly face helping customers’ home improvements come true. Whether working with cutting-edge science or by providing thorough customer service, his fundamental values of hard work and consideration for others were exhibited every day.

Vince found his greatest joy in the love and happiness shared within his family. As his children each progressed through school, work life, and family life, he celebrated every success, encouraged commitment and dedication to classwork and persistence through challenges, and never wavered in his desire to see each one reach their potential with his continued focus on their well-being.

As a lifelong learner, he constantly demonstrated interest in the experiences and stories shared by other people, from a shrimp boat captain in South Carolina to a Navajo backcountry tour guide at Monument Valley. That care for others was returned to him many times over, as his friends from St. Gilbert Parish and Victory Lakes enjoyed their time spent with him and provided comfort. His sense of spirituality grew and intensified over the years. He recognized the work of the Creator in people of different cultures, faiths, and practices, and found many ways to express that all humanity is connected to each other.

Vince set a lasting example of faith, commitment, thoughtfulness, and especially, one of love for his family. His love and his wisdom will be carried on for generations to come.

Visitation at Strang Funeral Home in Grayslake on July 17 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a funeral Mass to be said at the Chapel of St. Gilbert’s Catholic Church in Grayslake on July 18 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be held privately.

For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.

To view the mass via live stream click here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCMP0PFhS_wyXxgsTzbPEEyw

Donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul in Vincent A. Varitek, Jr.'s memory.