Joseph "Papa Joe" Nowak, 78, of Spring Grove, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at Advocate Condell Medical Center, Libertyville.

He was born October 4, 1938, in Chicago, to the late Walter and Clara (nee Weichel) Nowak.  Joe married Mary Ann Calamia on October 11, 1958.

Joe owned Nowak Towing in Spring Grove for twenty years and was known for his purple tow truck.  He was an avid die-cast car collector and a huge patriot who also loved collecting eagles and American flags.  Joe was loving, caring, compassionate, a great neighborhood friend, and everyone's "Papa Joe."

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; children, Joseph, Thomas, Barbara, and Walter Nowak; grandchildren, Christina and Michelle Nowak, and Rebecca and Gregory Gilley; great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Elijah, Katelynn, Conner, Gracie, Donte, Aundraya, and Javias; God-daughter, Jessica Gloms; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The memorial visitation will be Saturday, March 25, from 11 a.m. until the celebration of Joe's life at 2 p.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals and Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joe's name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.WoudedWarriorProject.org, or 877-958-2233.