Paul Michael Zelisko OBITUARY

Paul Michael Zelisko OBITUARY

Paul Michael Zelisko, 76, of Lake Forest, Illinois and Vero Beach, Florida, beloved husband, brother, uncle, mentor, outdoorsman, habitat conservationist, financial professional, and loyal friend, passed away on May 8, 2026 with his wife by his side after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Throughout his illness, Paul faced each challenge with optimism, resilience, and grace, embodying the phrase “living with cancer.” Though cancer ultimately claimed his life, Paul never allowed it to diminish his appreciation for family, friendship, nature, and the joys of everyday living.

Born on October 10, 1949, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, Paul was the eldest child of Anna (Krafcisin) and Peter Zelisko. As the oldest of four siblings, he naturally became the dependable big brother others turned to for advice, support, and encouragement throughout their lives. Deeply rooted in his Ukrainian heritage, Paul attended Nativity BVM Ukrainian Grade School and treasured the traditions and values instilled by his family and community.

Even as a young man, Paul demonstrated independence and determination. He successfully persuaded his parents to allow him to attend Campion Jesuit Boarding School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, graduating in 1967. He continued his Jesuit education at Marquette University in Milwaukee, earning a degree in computer science and economics in 1971. Later, while pursuing his MBA in Finance at the University of Chicago, he formed enduring friendships with Vince Kolber and Mike Horn. Paul completed his MBA in 1977.

Paul began his career as a programmer at American National Bank, where he developed not only his professional expertise but also lifelong friendships, including one with John Humm. He later joined Blue Cross/Blue Shield as an internal consultant while simultaneously completing his graduate studies. His career in finance advanced steadily as he became Head of Cash Management at G.D. Searle.

In 1979, the same year he married the love of his life, Judy, Paul embraced his entrepreneurial spirit and founded Castle Systems, a software company serving small community banks. In 1984, he accepted what he often described as his “dream job” when Jeff Diermeier hired him at Brinson Partners. Paul thrived in the intellectually stimulating and entrepreneurial culture of the firm, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to his work. While building a successful career, he studied tirelessly for the CFA exams, ultimately earning the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst designation in his early fifties — a testament to his discipline and perseverance and proof that determination does not fade with age.

Paul frequently remarked with gratitude, “You know they pay me to do what I love doing.” He retired in 2016 after Brinson evolved through a series of mergers into UBS. Though proud of his accomplishments, he especially valued the entrepreneurial spirit and collegial environment that had defined Brinson Partners during his years there.

Paul’s passions extended far beyond the office. Introduced to hunting, sporting clays, dog training, and conservation by his father, he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. In 2011, alongside fellow hunting enthusiasts, he helped organize a Youth Day event to introduce young people to outdoor activities and conservation. That effort eventually became the Conservation Heritage Education Foundation (CHEF), a nonprofit organization that sponsored annual Youth Days from 2013 through 2022. Through CHEF, countless young people discovered hunting, archery, fly fishing, sporting clays, dog training, and an appreciation for nature.

A committed conservationist for wildlife habitat, Paul became deeply involved with the Boone & Crockett Club, the historic wildlife conservation organization founded by Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell. Drawing upon his financial expertise, Paul served on and later chaired the Foundation’s Investment Committee, where he established investment standards, policies, and performance measurement processes that strengthened the organization for future generations. In 2025, he was honored as an Emeritus member.

He also proudly supported organizations including the Ruffed Grouse Society, Ducks Unlimited, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. In 1995, together with fellow bird hunter and dog trainer Roger Davis, Paul co-founded the Wisill Retriever Club, combining the passions of Wisconsin and Illinois retriever enthusiasts. Their dedication helped create a thriving organization that continues today and has successfully hosted national hunt tests in recent years.

Paul met Judy in 1976 at a St. Patrick’s Day gathering in Chicago. They married in August 1979 in Portland, Maine, beginning a remarkable, loving partnership that lasted 46 years. Their marriage was grounded in mutual respect, teamwork, laughter, and unwavering support for one another’s careers and ambitions. Paul never questioned Judy’s demanding professional commitments and was always ready to listen thoughtfully after difficult days. Together, they approached life’s challenges as true loving partners.

Their wedding planning foreshadowed the dynamic that would define their marriage: Judy planned the wedding, while Paul secretly planned the honeymoon. Only after their reception in Kennebunkport did he reveal that they would depart the next morning for two unforgettable weeks in Greece.

Paul embraced life fully and passionately. He was an exceptional cook who was always looking for new recipes to try. He especially cherished preparing traditional Ukrainian dishes using his mother’s recipes, always adding his own refinements. His favorite meal remained the traditional thirteen-course Ukrainian Christmas Eve black fast dinner celebrated with family year after year. He also loved fine wines and delighted in sharing special bottles with friends over memorable meals, including the annual fall Gourmet Grouse weekend at the Dew’s log cabin home in the Northwoods of Wisconsin where Paul and friends Tom and Denis enjoyed a friendly competitive spirit in trying to outdo each other with fabulous appetizers and entrees throughout the long weekend.

Paul extended his cooking to Thanksgiving in Maine whether it was dinner in at his sister-in-law’s house or dinner out at the Haraseeket Inn for forty years with family. Cooking dinner in, meant Paul had to pack his suitcase with chef knives, ingredients for his special stuffing, and then he started bringing his own fried turkeys because he preferred his turkey over the one cooked by Nancy. While in Maine, you could often find Paul frequenting Harbor Fish Market for fresh crabmeat and lobster, Standard Bakery for breads and sweets, or at LL Bean for the latest canvas and duffle bags for his dog and hunting gear.

A true Renaissance man, Paul equally appreciated the outdoors and the arts which were encouraged by his mother from a young age. He and Judy enjoyed decades of subscriptions to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Goodman Theatre alongside their friends Vince and Patricia Kolber, Jeff and Julie Diermeier, and Mike and Debbie Horn.

No description of Paul’s life would be complete without mentioning his beloved black Labrador retrievers. From Ukie to Kimber, his dogs were his constant companions in the field and at home. Together they hunted pheasant, quail, ducks, and ruffed grouse, trained tirelessly, and competed in hunting retriever events. Kimber, his faithful companion during hospice care, passed away earlier this year.

Paul and Judy shared a love of travel and adventure, exploring destinations throughout the United States and Europe, along with trips to New Zealand, Argentina, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and Zambia. Among Paul’s favorite stories was a moose hunting trip to Newfoundland with friends Tom Dew and Denis Karnosky, during which dense fog stranded them at camp for an extra week while supplies of food and whiskey dwindled.

After retiring in 2016, Paul and Judy became residents of Vero Beach, Florida, where Paul found his Brinson colleague Charlie Freund with whom he enjoyed local jazz concerts and Charlie’s playing guitar at local establishments. Paul, as was his way, quickly formed new friendships through sporting clays, retriever clubs, and community involvement at Grand Harbor. He volunteered his time maintaining a resident directory and serving on infrastructure committees within their community.

Above all else, Paul valued relationships — with family, lifelong friends, hunting companions, colleagues, neighbors, and the many people whose lives he touched through mentorship, kindness, humor, generosity and membership in organizations centered on hunting retriever dogs and wildlife habitat conservation.

Paul often wished others “Happy Trails,” a fitting farewell for a man whose life journey was filled with purpose, curiosity, friendship, generosity, and love. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always with wonderful stories, memories and experiences with their loyal friend Paul.

He is survived by his wife Judith (Pistaki) Zelisko; two brothers, Mark (Julie Chico) Zelisko, nephews: Mark and Vincent and niece Lauren; and John (Linda Roberts) Zelisko, nephews: Alexander and Nicholas and niece Kristina (Greg ) Ellis and grandnephew Hudson; sister Karen( Michael Ellis) Zelisko, nephews: Karana (Robyn Midori Watanabe) Ellis, grandniece Alaya and grandnephew Keola; and nephews: Raman and Shyamas. Sister-in- laws and brother-in laws: Patricia (Pistaki) and Norman (“Gus”) Marshall, niece Shelby (Gail Hanson) Marshall and grand niece Graysen Hanson-Marshall; and Nancy (Pistaki) and Thomas Chard, niece Lindsay (Chard) (William) Terry, grandnephew Luke and grandniece Georgia.

Sincere appreciation and thankfulness to Paul’s wonderful caring, loving, patient, and supportive Caregivers throughout his hospice time: Inga Kiseliovaite, Tatiana, Maksymiv, Kristina Norkus, Virginia Pillie, Aldona Masiokaite and Regina Kiseliova.

The family would also like to thank good friend Robert (Bob) Barnes of Cape Elizabeth, Maine and Vero Beach, Florida, for traveling to Lake Forest, Illinois, to help with Paul’s funeral services.

Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Monday, May 18, 2026 at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Avenue, Lake Forest, IL 60045. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 8530 W. 131st Street, Palos Park, IL 60464. Interment to follow at Lake Forest Cemetery. For information – 847-234-0022 or www.WenbanFH.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s memory to the Boone & Crockett Club Foundation, ATTN: Jodi Bishop, 250 Station Drive, Missoula, MT 59801; or made to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 734985 Chicago, Illinois 60673-4985. Please make the check payable to “Northwestern Memorial Foundation” and include Paul Zelisko in the memo line.