Constantine (Connie) Gabriel Silich, age 74, passed away peacefully at home in Riverwoods, IL on March 27, 2024 after a long illness. He leaves behind his loving wife, Diane Phillis, daughters Natasha Silich and Natalie Silich-Buhr (Keith Buhr) who all miss him dearly, as do his siblings, sister Trina Paxton and brothers Donald Silich (Penny), and Ronald Silich (Betty). He was loved by his nephews Sam and Jack Silich, Sean Silich (Mia), Tommy Paxton, and nieces Jennie Paxton and Jennifer Silich. He was preceded in death by his twin brother John A. Silich, and his parents Constantine and Jennie Silich.
Connie was born in Chicago and later lived in Melrose Park, Morris and Zion IL during his long career as a Quality Control expert at many nuclear plants across Illinois and beyond with Com Ed/Exelon and later with Sargent & Lundy Consulting. He earned a B.A. in Business Administration at DePaul University.
Prior to his nuclear energy career, he was a Sargeant in the US Air Force serving as a communications specialist in Alaska during the Viet Nam war.
After his retirement, Connie moved to Bemidji, MN and enjoyed many years of fishing and outdoor activities. He was a can-do person who always challenged himself with new interests and arenas. This included skydiving, piloting small aircraft, and he had a particularly strong passion for fishing and hunting with his beloved brother Donald Silich. He also had a strong artistic side creating oil paintings and drawings, many beautiful pieces of which his family continues to enjoy today.
His final move was to Riverwoods, IL where he lived with his loving wife Diane Phillis and devoted golden retriever Parker. Connie especially enjoyed traveling the world with Diane and exploring many exotic places around the globe.
A private inurnment ceremony will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. The family will hold a Memorial Service for Connie near Riverwoods, IL sometime in the coming months. Memorial donations in Constantine Silich's name can be made to the American Heart Association (heart.org).
