Jeffrey Stanton Katz

Jeffrey Stanton (Jeff) Katz, 68, passed away on Saturday June 21, 2025, after an eleven year battle with Thyroid cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of forty-four years Sheila and two sons, Matt (Jackie) and Sam (Dorota). He also leaves behind his faithful canine companion Talulah Barkhead, and many dear family members and good friends. Jeff received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Illinois. He taught undergraduate math courses at the University while attending law school. More importantly though he met Sheila on campus while playing with tinker toys (true story), and the two quickly became inseparable, getting married the following year. Despite being a licensed attorney, numbers were always Jeff’s overarching interest and he enjoyed a long career in the insurance industry swiftly passing the exams necessary to achieve the highest designation, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. He worked for many years for CNA in the big red building in the Chicago skyline. His career would also take him to other parts of the country: Atlanta where he worked for Munich Reinsurance, and Armonk, New York, where he worked for Swiss Re, from which he retired as a Senior Vice-President. Through his career Jeff travelled the world, garnered the respect of his peers and proved a valuable asset to each company for which he worked. An avid tournament contract bridge player since high school, Jeff and his then playing partner won the North American Pairs Rookie championship in 1988. He would continue to enjoy the game for the rest of his life with Sheila as his most frequent partner. Jeff also enjoyed playing tennis and golf, particularly during his retirement. At Pelican Landing he also was known as a fierce trivia competitor. He had an impeccable memory but was unfailingly a team player. He also had a much-appreciated offbeat sense of humor, enjoyed reading a good mystery novel, and was very well mannered, at all times, a shining example of civility, except for the occasional cursing brought on only by the inexplicably foolish actions of his fellow drivers. A Celebration of Life will be held in Chicago in July. To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences, please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Jeffrey Stanton Katz

September 26, 1956 - June 21, 2025