John Peter Esler

“Petey” John Peter Esler - May 25, 1958 - July 9, 2024
John Peter Esler, known as Petey, died quietly in his sleep on July 9, 2024. The seventh child of the late Marion K. Fogarty Esler, and Walter J. Esler, Sr., Petey was named after two important figures in his family: John Fogarty was his maternal uncle, his mother's elder brother. His middle name honors his 2nd great grandfather Peter Fogarty, of Limerick, who died during the Irish Potato Famine.
Welcomed into his family’s loving embrace, Petey met the challenges of living with Down syndrome and severe autism with an indomitable spirit, and lived a long life, far exceeding the expectations at the time of his birth and through more than six decades. Prevailing against several respiratory illnesses in his early years, he lived a life of innocence and joy, which emanated to those around him despite verbal limitations.
As a child, he was happiest engaging with others, crying gleefully when swimming with his brother and sister, and enthusiastically chasing the ball during games of catch in the backyard. When he reached school age, Petey became an agent of change. Enrolled at Austin Special School, then located in a converted home, Petey’s parents became actively involved in the community of the school, and joined the successful efforts to secure public funding for the education of children with special needs.
When he reached maturity, Petey benefited from participation in the newly established Austin Special Workcenter, enjoying the camaraderie of his friends, and the professional staff who loved and cared for him in the daily routines at the center. When he reached adulthood, Petey moved from his parents’ home into the now established Austin Special residential facility near Austin and Washington in Chicago. For Petey’s sake his family was always active in development and support of the Austin Special organization, whose staff cared for him wonderfully during his time there.
In later years, Petey survived a bout with COVID-19, and managed to successfully undergo hip replacement surgery, regaining mobility through rehabilitation. When he reached his geriatric years, Petey moved from Austin Special to a nursing home in Park Ridge specializing in aging clients with special needs.
Brother of the late Thomas Esler, Petey is survived by his brothers Walter J. Esler, Jr.; Michael Esler; Robert Esler; William Esler, and sister Mary Ann Esler, and his nephews and nieces Mary Esler (spouse Hiro Murata), Walter Esler III, Kyran Esler, Rachel Dobkin (spouse Micah Bedrosian), Megan Esler, Joseph Esler, Brian Esler (spouse Yvette), Juniper Esler, and grandnieces and grandnephews Michael “Mikey” Brooks and James Wallace Herrera; Nicholas, Amelia, and Megan Murata; Tatum Esler; and Winifred “Winnie” Woodall.
Petey lives on in the hearts of his family, his many friends at Austin Special, and those who cared for him throughout his life—a testament to the value and importance of every living soul, who can touch everyone and have influence in the world, regardless of abilities.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 18, from 4 pm to 8 pm at Pietryka Funeral Home https://www.pietrykafh.com/ A private internment of Petey’s remains will take place for family at a later date.
Contributions in Petey's name can be made to Austin Special Chicago. https://www.facebook.com/AustinSpecialChicago/