Gene Sowa, 84, died Sunday, August 25th at Rainbow Hospice in Park Ridge, Illinois. Gene was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Dorothy, nee Glinka. Loving father of Sharon (Patrick Gallagher) Erickson, and Glen (Cindy) Sowa. Devoted grandfather of Lindsay Erickson, Brittany (Chris) Walker, Cheryl (John) Osgood, and Ellen Sowa. Proud great-grandfather of Brooke Erickson Walker and Hadley Joy Walker. Son of the late Florian and Louise Sowa. Brother of the late Charlotte (the late Irvin) Chesko, the late Adeline (the late Chester) Kumiega, the late Victor (Haline) Sowa; numerous nieces and nephews. Employed by Kraft Foods for over 46 years, Gene was one of the longest tenured employees in Kraft Foods history. He was a pioneer in the new advancements in photography and received numerous national accolades and awards, including a Masters in Photography from the Professional Photographer’s Association, and the Kraft Leadership Council Lifetime Achievement Award. He was often invited to be a guest lecturer at prestigious universities and was the lead photographer for Kraft Kitchens in both print and film media. In his retirement, Gene volunteered for the Special Olympics, and became the coordinator for the Kraft retiree annual golf outing. As a devout White Sox fan, Gene’s lifelong dream of attending a World Series championship came true in 2005. Memorial donations may be made to Rainbow Hospice, Park Ridge, Illinois. Private family services were held. Entombment at All Saints Mausoleum.