John "Rich" Yorick

John "Rich" Yorick, 86, of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023, surrounded by his family. John was known as “Rich” to his family and friends, and as “Uncle Richard” to his nieces and nephews. Nobody ever called him “John”, and if a caller used that name, we knew it was a salesperson and could tell them he wasn’t home.

Rich was born in Detroit Michigan on July 4, 1936. He attended Wilbur Wright Trade School and Wayne State University. He played on a golf league, was a Lineman on a semi-pro football team, and raced cars.

Rich met his wife, Ann, in Detroit and they started their family in 1957. Rich was in the Michigan Air National Guard where he flew the T-38 Talon reconnaissance jet, otherwise known as the “Mosquito”. He loved to tell the story how he flew low along Lake Michigan, buzzing the boats and cabins. Rich flew freight planes when he moved the family to Illinois. Then he became a pilot for Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 1965. He was promoted to Captain in 1980 and then retired in 1990.

For anyone that knew him, the name Rich Yorick went hand in hand with “excellent and dedicated golfer”.  He was forever working on his swing and even in his 70’s he would say, “I think I figured it out”. Rich played in the annual Inter Airline Pilots Golf tournament and regularly came home with first place trophies. Rich could often be found in his backyard, with an Iron in his hand, launching acorns into the lake. Rich passed his love for golf to his son and grandson, and he played golf up to the last years of his life.

Rich also had several other hobbies. He grew a lush vegetable garden each year, played racquet ball, and was a member of the local computer club. He was the founder and coach of the Lake In the Hills Lakers Youth Hockey League. He was also a serious bowler and coin collector.

Rich is survived by his brothers, Michael (Cindy) Yorick and Ronald (Marilyn) Yorick; his sisters, Mary Barbara Stanley and Margaret Elizabeth (Bud) Mullens. He leaves behind 4 children, Suzanne Yorick, Teresa Yorick, Richard Yorick, and Sheri (Michael) Souvigny; his 7 grandchildren, Debra Smith, James (Kelly) Smith III, Amber (Clayton) Suetos, Chelsi (Andrew) Yorick, Skye (Shaila) Yorick, Jordan (Rebecca) Souvigny, and Kiera Souvigny; his 14 great-grandchildren, Kaleb (Kim) Cuda, Sydney Goldthorpe, James Smith IV, Tieraney Mahr, Alayna (Hayden) Peters, Serennity Suetos, Tobias LaBuff, Lyric Soles, Melody Soles, Alaynna Yorick, Jacob “Cloud” Yorick, Axel Yorick, Oliver Yorick, and Benjamin Yorick and his 2 great-great-grandchildren, Hadley Craig, and Chad James Peters; also many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Rich is preceded in death by his father, Michael Yorick, and his mother, Elizabeth Ann Yorick.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Heart Association.

Cremation rites were held privately.  

A "Celebration of Life" will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Cary Country Club, 2400 Grove Lane. Cary, Illinois 60013. Flag Presentation and Prayer service will begin at 11:30 AM, followed by a Luncheon at 12 Noon. Please visit http://www.carycountryclub.com/event-space/

Contact Sheri to RSVP and for more information at ssouvigny@yahoo.com or please call 630-808-6837.

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