Dr. John P. Strelecky, age 79, of Winter Garden, Florida passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
He was born Aug. 31, 1941 in Chicago to the late John and Phyllis (nee Krzyzewski) Strelecky.
Dr. Strelecky was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was an avid fisherman who loved sharing this hobby with his son. He graduated from the University of Illinois dental school and established his dental practice in North Riverside.
He was the founder of the North Riverside Community Theater, a troupe that is still producing shows under the name North Riverside Players. Dr. Strelecky directed over 25 musical plays.
“Because of him, thousands upon thousands of theater players and patrons from all over Chicagoland were entertained over the last 30 years and we are still going strong,” said Alan Meyer, president of the North Riverside Players’ board of directors.
Later, Dr. Strelecky and his wife, Kathy, owned Our Christmas Tree Farm in Ottawa, Illinois, for 15 years until they retired to Winter Garden, Florida, in 2005.
Dr. Strelecky is survived by his wife, Kathryn Strelecky; his daughter, Anne (Paul) Bridges; his son, John P. (Xin “Cindy”) Strelecky Jr.; his daughter, Rachel (Larry) Hutter; his grandsons Paul “PJ” Bridges, Matthew Bridges, Cole Bridges and Lawson Hutter; and his granddaughters, Danielle Hutter and Sophia Strelecky.
Services have bene held. Interment with military honors was at Winter Garden Cemetery in Winter Garden, Florida.
Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Chapel, Winter Garden, Florida, handled arrangements.
