Kenneth A. Julian, formerly of Oak Park and Oak Brook, then Chicago and Ormond Beach, Florida, passed away after a long illness; Beloved husband of Loretta, nee Nielsen for over 46 years; loving father of Viki Gonia, John (Vicki), Ken (Jenna) and Anthony (Lisa) Julian; proud grandfather of Grace, Ali, Anthony, Jack, Charlie, Kadie, Elisa, Will, Jimmy and Emily. Proclaiming his desire to be an engineer at age 11, Ken followed an unwavering path, working for his father, Victor, who began Julian Electric, Inc. in 1959, on weekends and summers, to the University of Illinois where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Industrial Administration, to Grumman Aerospace in New York where he worked on the lunar module, waking his infant daughter from sleep to watch it land on the moon. He returned to Illinois and to Julian Electric in 1970. Together with his father, then his children, he built a thriving and successful business and holds several patents. He did not believe in sick days. Ken loved fishing, the beach, working, traveling and coaching his sons’ baseball teams. He treasured time spent with family. He graciously tolerated and supported his wife’s love of classical music, especially the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He created memories his wife, children and grandchildren will carry with them always. Visitation Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. until time of funeral 9:00 a.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (½ mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment Queen of Heaven/Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery, Hillside. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, 420 E. Superior St., Arthur J. Rubloff Building, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com
Kenneth A. Julian
