Brian J. Summers

Brian John Summers of Itasca, IL was born September 30, 1954 in Libertyville, IL to Raymond John and Sally Ann (Cushing) and died August 5, 2026 after a recent diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma. Brian married Elizabeth Wolnski on October 18, 1975 in Lombard, IL, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last fall. Brian and Elizabeth raised three exceptional children, Brian Patrick, Katherine, and Kevin, who were the center of their lives. Each of their children expanded the family by marrying the best in-laws one could find. Brian and his wife, Tracy (Buchholz) added daughters, Peyton and Regan. Katie and Douglas Schmitt are parents to the oldest grandchild, Beckett. And Kevin and Kate (Palm) are proud parents of Rhys and Elinor. Many holidays, sporting events, and family celebrations created a home bursting with family participation and love. Brian spent his early life in Brown Deer, WI until his family moved to Lombard, IL in 1969. There, he met the people who became lifelong friends, and he was introduced to Elizabeth at Glenbard East High School. After graduating from high school, Brian started a lifelong career in industrial boilers as a service technician and eventually migrated his way into sales which would become his abiding passion. His career in the boiler industry took him and his family from Elgin, IL to Richmond, VA to Grand Haven, MI, and eventually back home to Illinois in the 1990s. He eventually started his own company in 2008, BEC, partially named after his first grandchild. The friendships he made all over the country remain steadfast to this day and are a testament to his success. Brian was a huge sports enthusiast and endured the ups and downs of his favorite teams, the Chicago White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He passed down this passion and loyalty to his children and grandchildren and saved his biggest sideline cheers for Beckett, Peyton, Regan, Rhys, and Elinor and their respective teams. The joy of golf was shared with his family as well. His biggest golf thrills came from playing golf with family and friends, and being able to tee up at Pebble Beach, Royal Portrush, Spyglass Hill and many local courses along the way. Bird watching was innate when a casual walk would turn into spotting or listening for his favorite birds. His hobby took him on trips to see birds in other areas, and he studied them as closely as he did boiler room blueprints. He took courses through the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology and collected dozens of bird carvings. Most recently he began experimenting in bird photography. Due to his sense of humor and good nature, Brian never left a person without a good laugh. He truly knew how to make people chuckle with a story or a witty observation. He was kind to all strangers and loved ones alike. He was smart and always took care of his brothers and sister. He will be missed by all the people his life has touched. Brian is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter-in-law Tracy (Buchholz), daughter Katie (Doug) Schmitt, son Kevin (Kate), grandchildren Beckett Schmitt, Peyton and Regan Summers, and Rhys and Elinor Summers, sister Suzanne (Jack) Evans, brother Tom Summers, brother-in-law Joseph Wolnski (Jane Christino), brother-in-law Robert Wolnski, and brother-in-law Alfred Wolnski (Janet).

He was preceded in death by his first son, Brian Patrick, brother Bruce Summers and his wife, Cindy (McCarter), brothers Terry and Scott Summers, and his parents. Visitation will be held Monday, August 10 from 4pm to 8pm at Nelson Funeral Home, 820 Talcott Road, Park Ridge, IL. Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, August 11 at 10am at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 551 N. Rush St., Itasca, IL. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations in Brian’s memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) or the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (give.birds.cornell.edu).