Vic Laska (1932-2012)

Long-time, sign-industry professional Vic Laska, 79, passed away September 9. Vic valiantly fought and successfully beat stomach cancer, but subsequently was beset with Alzheimer’s and prostate cancer. He succumbed to a heart attack while battling both.

His sign-industry career spanned 60 years, starting at age 19. Born in Chicago in 1932, Vic saw combat with the U.S. infantry in Korea, and then joined family-owned Laco Signs (Libertyville, IL) in 1950. At Laco, he progressed from fabricating signs to sales, to president in 1970. He was instrumental in the set-up and relocation of the company to a then, state-of-the-art 25,000-sq.-ft. plant. Vic was part of, and ultimately oversaw, the company’s tremendous growth. He worked with customers such as McDonald’s, helped grow and transform the company to a large and respected regional /national sign company.

Vic’s true passion, however, was providing custom signs to the small-business community and, as such, in 1972, he purchased North Shore Sign Co. (Waukegan, IL), a small Laco subsidiary. Together with his sons, working 70-80-hour weeks, Vic grew North Shore from a four-man operation into one of the largest, full-service, custom-sign companies in the Chicago metro area by focusing on higher-end custom signs, service and installation. North Shore today has a 19,000-sq.-ft. plant on 2 1/2 acres and 28 employees.

Dedicated to the industry, Vic believed in supporting it through membership and active participation in the industry’s trade associations. North Shore has been a long-time member of then-NESA and now ISA, World Sign Assoc. (WSA) and the Illinois Sign Assn. Vic served two terms as a director of the Illinois Sign Assn., and as president in 1976. In 1987, he was presented with that group’s Maury Ely award, its highest honor. He served as a Division Chairman of WSA from 1988 to 1991.

Vic was also chairman of the Libertyville Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Green Oaks, IL Planning Commission for 10 years, and a Trustee of the Libertyville Fire Protection District. He was a member of the Libertyville Lions Club, and the City Club of Waukegan.

Described as a “true gentleman”, he was well respected and known throughout the industry. Some of his closest friends were sign-industry associates he enjoyed interacting with at industry events.

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Vic never retired, but continued to work long past his sale of the company to his sons, coming in daily when he could no longer work. He stopped only when his illnesses made it difficult.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Barbara; three children: Kevin Laska and Duane (Patti) Laska, both of Libertyville and Karyn Pierro of Neenah, WI; 10 grandchildren: Emily, Molly, Hailey, Matthew, Brett, Kyle and Marc Laska, and Christopher, Alexander and Sarah Pierro; and his sister, Marlene (Richard) Wincheski. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Dorothy and Lucille; and his daughter-in-law, Michelle "Mickey" Laska. Vic was buried with military honors on September 15. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Assn. , 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, #800, Chicago, IL 60631.