1928
Wayne
2024
Wayne Bessette
October 26, 1928 — August 15, 2024
Wayne Edward Bessette died on Thursday, August 15th at the age of 95. Wayne was a good man who was loved deeply and will be missed dearly by his family.
Wayne grew up in Oak Park, IL, and graduated from IIT. Wayne was married to June (McDonough) Bessette for 64 years before her death in 2019.
Wayne and June met in Cincinnati, OH, where he landed after being discharged from the US Navy. After their wedding, they moved to Montclair, NJ, but then moved three times between Cincinnati and Chicago before settling in Chicago.
From Chicago, Wayne traveled in a car (windows down because there was no air conditioning) up and down the East Coast selling industrial chemicals. Eventually, Wayne changed careers and became a financial planner. After retirement from finance, he worked as a starter at local golf courses in exchange for rounds of golf. During golf’s off-season, Wayne volunteered as a Township AARP tax consultant. In between working and family life, Wayne and June traveled extensively, visiting 43 of the 50 United States and 17 countries across 5 continents.
Wayne was an avid reader and lifelong learner. No Googling for Wayne; he learned the old-fashioned way with library books and attending classes, although eventually he succumbed to online classes and a Kindle. Wayne’s learning turned him into an amateur photographer and a home chef. His motto was, “If you can read, you can do anything.”
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, William and Agnes (Hickey) Bessette; his brother, Bill Bessette; and his wife, June Bessette.
Wayne is survived by his four children, Suzanne Bessette-Smith (David), Liz Bessette Kaiser (Kurt), Michelle Bessette-Brooks (Stan) and Marty Bessette (Shay); 7 grandchildren: Guy Guisto (Ivonne), Jim Guisto (Joe) and Micheal Guisto (Christina), Ari Smith, Zoe Smith (Logan), Quentin Brooks and Cecilia Brooks; and 2 great grandchildren, Michael Jr. and Rosie Guisto.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 23rd from 3-8PM at Countryside Funeral Home, 1640 S. Green Meadows Blvd., Streamwood. Funeral Mass will be 10AM on Saturday, August 24th, at St. Marcelline, 822 Springinsguth Rd., Schaumburg. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made in Wayne’s name, to Alexian Brothers Hospice Center, 901 Martha St., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.
Wayne grew up in Oak Park, IL, and graduated from IIT. Wayne was married to June (McDonough) Bessette for 64 years before her death in 2019.
Wayne and June met in Cincinnati, OH, where he landed after being discharged from the US Navy. After their wedding, they moved to Montclair, NJ, but then moved three times between Cincinnati and Chicago before settling in Chicago.
From Chicago, Wayne traveled in a car (windows down because there was no air conditioning) up and down the East Coast selling industrial chemicals. Eventually, Wayne changed careers and became a financial planner. After retirement from finance, he worked as a starter at local golf courses in exchange for rounds of golf. During golf’s off-season, Wayne volunteered as a Township AARP tax consultant. In between working and family life, Wayne and June traveled extensively, visiting 43 of the 50 United States and 17 countries across 5 continents.
Wayne was an avid reader and lifelong learner. No Googling for Wayne; he learned the old-fashioned way with library books and attending classes, although eventually he succumbed to online classes and a Kindle. Wayne’s learning turned him into an amateur photographer and a home chef. His motto was, “If you can read, you can do anything.”
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, William and Agnes (Hickey) Bessette; his brother, Bill Bessette; and his wife, June Bessette.
Wayne is survived by his four children, Suzanne Bessette-Smith (David), Liz Bessette Kaiser (Kurt), Michelle Bessette-Brooks (Stan) and Marty Bessette (Shay); 7 grandchildren: Guy Guisto (Ivonne), Jim Guisto (Joe) and Micheal Guisto (Christina), Ari Smith, Zoe Smith (Logan), Quentin Brooks and Cecilia Brooks; and 2 great grandchildren, Michael Jr. and Rosie Guisto.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 23rd from 3-8PM at Countryside Funeral Home, 1640 S. Green Meadows Blvd., Streamwood. Funeral Mass will be 10AM on Saturday, August 24th, at St. Marcelline, 822 Springinsguth Rd., Schaumburg. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made in Wayne’s name, to Alexian Brothers Hospice Center, 901 Martha St., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wayne Bessette, please visit our flower store.
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