Minooka Community High School Teacher Passes Away

Michael V. Assaf, III lost his battle with cancer on Jan. 27. The 38-year-old Minooka Community High School math teacher and wrestling coach was the father of four children.

Back in November, Patch wrote about a 5K that had been organized to raise money for Assaf's family.

"We want to help raise money to alleviate the stress," Jill Nehring, Assaf's co-worker at the high school, said in the November 2012 story. "Anytime somebody is in need, we try to come up with anything we can to help them."

Dave DiLorenzo, director of community relations at MCHS, said the school declined to comment on Assaf's passing. The district did, however, alert the school community.

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that Minooka Community High School must inform you that MCHS mathematics teacher Mr. Michael Assaf III passed away on Sunday afternoon after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer," the school stated in a written release. "Mr. Assaf had been a mathematics teacher at MCHS since 2003."

In addition to teaching at MCHS, Assaf taught at Joliet Junior College.

"Michael believed in working hard and having fun," his obituary states. "He was always willing to share his wisdom and knowledge with others.

"He touched many lives and was loved by all."

Assaf lived in Plainfield.

Visitation is set for 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fred C. Dames, 3200 Black Road.

Funeral Services for Michael will begin at 10:15 a.m., Jan. 31, at the funeral home and will travel to Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 Brookforest Ave., in Shorewood for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. More information about services can be found by clicking here.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Assaf's name can be made to Pancan.org to further pancreatic cancer research or to his trust fund at First Community Bank, 25407 S. Bell Rd., in Channahon.