John Wastak
Eastland Disaster: A Palatine Family’s Connection
On February 23, 2007, the Daily Herald featured an article about the deep ties between Palatine resident Dan McDonald’s family and the Eastland Disaster of 1915. The sinking of the Eastland remains one of the greatest tragedies in Chicago’s history.
The article highlights Dan’s great-uncle, John Wastak, a victim of the disaster. John, along with many other Western Electric Company employees, was aboard the Eastland on that fateful day, preparing for a company picnic. His tragic story, passed down through generations, left a lasting impact on Dan’s family.
Dan’s mother, Eleanor McDonald, recalls how their family gathered annually to remember Uncle John, especially during their visits to St. Adalbert Cemetery. The Eastland Disaster, though now a century past, continues to shape the collective memory of the McDonald family, keeping John Wastak’s legacy alive through their stories and memorials.
"Eastland Disaster is part of Palatine Family's History." Melissa Hollander, Daily Herald, Neighbor section, Feb. 23, 2007
John Wastak (1886-1915)
John Wastak was born on December 23, 1886, in Chicago, Illinois. He tragically lost his life on July 24, 1915, when the Eastland capsized in the Chicago River. At the age of 28, John was unmarried and living with his parents, Max Wastak (1858-1924) and Magdalena Laskowski (1863-1941). The Wastak family maintained deep roots in the Chicago area, and John, like many others that day, was preparing for a company picnic as a Western Electric employee when disaster struck. He is remembered by his family, and his final resting place is at Saint Adalbert Catholic Cemetery in Niles, IL alongside his parents.
John Wastak, great-uncle of Palatine (IL) resident, Dan McDonald, was one of the victims of the Eastland Disaster
