Patrick H. Piejko, 50, who melted snow, removed skid marks and managed construction on the tarmac of Midway Airport, died Tuesday, June 18, of cancer in Christ Hospital and Medical Center, Oak Lawn. Born in Chicago and reared in the Beverly neighborhood near St. Margaret of Scotland Church, where his father was a janitor, Mr. Piejko went from a career at Delta Air Lines to acting superintendent of construction at Midway. He helped keep the airport open through the blizzard of January 1999, ensured airlines removed their refuse and oversaw contractors hired to fix aging taxiways, said Erin O’Donnell, the Aviation Department deputy commissioner at Midway. “Pat was a one-man show. He had support of other sections, but he was the man who made sure airfield maintenance got done,” she said. Mr. Piejko also refereed for Catholic League basketball games and headed the athletic department at St. John Fisher School, said his daughter, Bridgette. Survivors also include his wife, Ann; his son, Brian; and two brothers, James and Henry. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday in Donnellan Funeral Home, 10525 S. Western Ave. Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 9837 S. Throop St., Chicago.
