Mr. Stephen Samuel Zarr

December 8, 1916 - November 9, 2016

Stephen Samuel Zarr passed into eternal life on November 9, 2016. Stephen was born on December 8, 1916 in Livingston, IL the third of eight children of Stephen and Rose Matesa Zarr. In the 1930s, Stephen worked in the national parks of the Western US in the Civilian Conservation Corps. This was a lifeline for his family, as Stephen sent half his salary home to his widowed mother. Stephen served as a Sargent in the Army Air Corps during World War II on the West Coast as an airplane mechanic supporting the Pacific theatre. After the war, he attended and graduated from The Chicago Technical College and later The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Stephen taught art at the high school level and then became a carpenter at the Art Institute of Chicago, constructing new exhibits and hanging masterpieces. After retirement, he returned to AIC as a security guard to work in the museum he loved. He was a talented artist, carpenter and all-around expert handyman, helping family with many home-improvement projects. Stephen regaled 3 generations of nieces, nephews and cousins with stories of his Tom Sawyer-like childhood and taught us how to swim, ice skate, fly kites, draw and downhill ski. He accompanied us on vacations in the U.S. and Europe and decorated his home with drawings of our artwork. He was the life of every party. Uncle Steve exuded sweetness, love, generosity and acceptance of everyone. He set the example for us on how to live, love and laugh, and this is his legacy. Visitation will be held at Muzyka Funeral Home, 5776 W Lawrence on Monday, 11/14 from 4-9 pm.