Cyril "Cy" Kastelic

Cyril “Cy” Kastelic, October 3, 1959  to May 22, 2024

Cy was born, named Cyril Kastelic, to Ciril and Olga (nee Zupancic) Kastelic on October 3, 1959 as the first of six children Stanley, Maria (deceased), Olga, Joseph (deceased) and Tony. 

Cy loved to participate in soccer, tennis, skiing, bocce, and chess.  He was a sports enthusiast, and you could often find him cheering UFC fights, Luka Doncic, World Cup Soccer, the Olympics, his beloved Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls and of course Blackhawks. 

He very much enjoyed poker, Tarok, travel, savoring various cultures and foods, wine, and occasionally causing a stir just for fun.

He attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine grammar school, St. Rita High School, DePaul University and then Aurora College for his undergraduate degree in business. Showing unusual leadership skills early, at the age of 17 he was promoted to a supervisory position at UPS. Upon graduating college his world opened to new adventures and interests as he became a wine consultant and started to travel. Finding himself adept at card-playing, he eventually ventured into the world of poker in the early 90’s and soon established himself as a solid professional.

His passion for travel, experiencing new cultures and the beauty of the world blended well with his new profession - poker tournaments were expanding worldwide. In these venues, he was able to see over quarter of the globe’s countries. He had a special affinity for summers with family and friends in Pell Lake Wisconsin, all of his friends of the Slovenian community in Chicago, Slovenia itself, New Zealand (he often said it was so similar to Slovenia), Thai food, carrot juice, chocolates (and other sweets), good company, conversation, and laughter.

Through Cy’s father’s final years, he made a concerted effort to maximize travel delights with his parents, taking them on various trips and cruises both nationally and internationally. He made Slovenia his primary home the last 15 years and was especially fond of his Aunt Ivanka and cousin Father Joe, with whom he shared the deepest of friendships and whom he supported selflessly in his final years.

He was often the center of attention as he was bold and endlessly entertaining. Among his travel destinations, he particularly loved Aruba, and for the last two decades captained large gatherings there of friends and family, often inviting various individuals (especially those with recent hardships), wanting to share Hope (one of his very favorite movies was “The Shawshank Redemption”) and uplift all who attended.

Cy was exceedingly gracious in hosting the groups every year, organizing various dinners and activities enthusiastically to say the least. While most of us knew him as Cy Kastelic, the world at large knew him better as Casey Kastle, who had the highest cashing rate of World Poker Tour pros the first few years, and most recently amazingly received the Global Hendon Mob Award for the most (51) international cashes (finished in the top 10-15%) in poker tournaments, a world record now held for over a decade.  

He will be sorely missed, but the stories of his shenanigans will yield rich belly laughs for the rest of our lives. He lived fully and fearlessly, including after his diagnosis of cancer three years ago. He ever remained the optimist, a lover of life, and when the time came to know his end was in fact imminent, he specifically instructed us: “No sadness, only celebration, OK?” He expressed thanks to have lived such a blessed and amazing life, as few others have, and as literally no one has in some regards. The last some decades he would finish his messages with what he would hope we would all take as his life advice: Live. Love. Laugh.

Left to treasure the memories are his mother Olga; siblings, Stan Kastelic, Olga (Patrick) Voss, and Tony Kastelic; nieces, Kristie, Katie (Jordan) Greenway, Brittany, Anna (Zacharay) Jacobs, and Sabina; and a great-nephew, Owen; as well as numerous other loved ones and friends.

Gone before Cy are his father, Ciril Kastelic (June 29, 2010); Maria (2003), Joseph (2000).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society / Leukemia or Friends of St. Mary’s FOSM (14246 Main Street, Lemont, IL 60439) Slovenian Community in Lemont, Illinois.  The grounds of St. Mary’s Slovenian Catholic Mission and Slovenian Catholic Center was dear to Cy and his family, filled with lifelong memories.  Donations are gratefully accepted to continue restoration, and beautification of the Grotto, Rosary Valley and grounds so that all may continue to enjoy.

A celebration of Cy life will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the Slovenian Catholic Center 14252 Main Street, Lemont, IL 60439 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  A private committal service was held previously.  Cy was buried in the family plot at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, IL, in section 64, block 10, lot 27, grave 9.

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