Funeral services were held Saturday for the owner of Butcher on the Block in Lake in the Hills, described as his dream business, who died after he was struck by multiple cars.
The Carpentersville Fire Department, West Dundee Fire Department, Kane County Sheriff’s Office and Carpentersville Police Department responded around 5:58 a.m. Monday to the area of Route 31 and Miller Road in unincorporated Carpentersville for a vehicle crash with injuries.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office said multiple vehicles had struck a pedestrian in the roadway.
Detectives learned from witnesses that the pedestrian was seen walking on southbound Route 31 near Miller Road wearing all dark clothing.
A Chevrolet Cruze, a black Acura sedan and a gray Cadillac sedan struck the victim as they all traveled southbound, the sheriff’s office said.
All involved vehicles remained at the scene and the drivers called 911.
Paramedics arrived and pronounced him deceased at the scene and detectives were able to notify his immediate family.
The sheriff’s office said the victim was identified as Thomas Yucuis, 69, of East Dundee.
The driver of the Chevrolet was a 49-year-old Lake Villa man, the driver of the Acura sedan was a 59-year-old Crystal Lake man, and the Cadillac driver was a 36-year-old Algonquin man.
Yucuis was the owner of Butcher on the Block, a popular butcher shop located on Algonquin Road in Lake in the Hills. He opened the business in 2000 and his wife Jill also owned the shop with him.
Lake in the Hills Village President Ray Bogdanowski said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Yucuis’ death.
“His long-standing commitment to Butcher on the Block and the community has been invaluable. Our entire Community’s thoughts are with his family and colleagues during this difficult time,” Bogdanowski said.
The District 300 Food Pantry said their “hearts go out” to the family of Yucuis. Butcher on the Block was a 2022 recipient of the organization’s 2022 community partner award and the business had supported the pantry through the years.
Huntley Red Raiders Youth Football League called Yucuis a “beloved husband, father, grandfather, local business owner, and unwavering supporter of our community.”
“His generosity and dedication to our youth football program and all other programs has helped shape the lives of so many young athletes, and his kindness and leadership left a lasting impact on all who knew him. Tom was more than a sponsor—he was a mentor, a friend, and a pillar of our community. His legacy of giving, hard work, and love for his family will never be forgotten,” the football league said.
Illinois Representative Suzanne Ness said her “heart goes out” to Yucuis’ family.
“I met Tom a few years ago during an award ceremony for work he and his family had done and that was when I learned just how much they do for the community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him,” Ness said.
Many local businesses also issued similar statements mourning Yucuis’ loss.
The Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce said Yucuis and his family have “exemplified the very best of what it means to be local business owners” for the past 25 years.
“Through unwavering community support, generous sponsorship of youth sports, and continuous contributions to nonprofit organizations, Tom, his wife Jill, and their daughter Brynn Zimmerman have made a profound and lasting impact on our community,” the organization said.
Family and friends of Yucuis gather Friday afternoon and evening for a visitation at Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee.
An obituary for Yucuis said he “lived and loved fiercely” and had a gift of making anyone he met feel special. “He prided his life on two core principles: God and family.”
He was a grandfather to 10 grandchildren. Yucuis had been a butcher for 50 years, including 25 years of owning Butcher on the Block.
“Over the course of his 25 years in business, his daughters and many grandchildren have worked at Butcher on the Block, sharing in his dream. He loved interacting with his loyal customers who supported Butcher on the Block and made it the success that is today,” his obituary said.
A second visitation was held Saturday morning followed by a service that began at 11 a.m. A private burial took place at Dundee Township East Cemetery in East Dundee.
“Tom lived each day to the fullest, always enjoying the company of family and friends and finding reasons to celebrate even the small things in life,” his obituary said.
No citations have been issued in the crash and the case remains under investigation by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.