Walter “Wally” Duzansky, age 87, of Hanover, IL (formerly of Chicago and Harwood Heights, IL), passed peacefully at home on July 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 103 Savanna Road, Hanover, IL 61041. Friends may arrive after 9 AM until 10:45 AM, when the parish rosary will begin. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Elizabeth, IL.

Wally attended St. Ignatius College Prep and Fenwick High School in Chicago. He went on to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he played football until an injury ended his time on the field. After college, Wally started his own carpet cleaning business. His entrepreneurial journey led to forty-eight years of service with ServiceMaster. He became Regional Director of Housekeeping for five Chicago-area hospitals, including Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center. At Rush, he volunteered with the Director of Community Affairs.

He was the driving force behind the Science and Math Excellence (SAME) program to underprivileged inner-city schools. Wally was highly recognized for his service and dedication, receiving the President George Bush Points of Light Award. He also served ten years (eight as President) on the Board of Education at Pennoyer School Elementary, where his daughters attended. Wally was a proud 4th-degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He spread faith and led numerous fundraising events.

Wally was the beloved husband of Leah Rhea, née Carsello, for sixty-five years, loving father of Leah Ann (Jeffrey) Malik and Lisa (Douglas) Nixon, and cherished grandfather of Shane (Olivia), Ryan (Jordan), Daniel, John, and Kenney.

Wally lived by his favorite words: “When you do good for yourself, the good dies with you. When you do good for others, the good lives on.”

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.furlongfuneralchapel.com.