An Oak Park school board member was found dead at a west suburban forest preserve on Saturday morning.
Peter Traczyk, 48, was found at about 11:50 a.m. in Thatcher Woods near West North Avenue and Riverwoods Drive in Melrose Park, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office and sheriff’s police.
Traczyk, of the 300 block of North Scoville Avenue in Oak Park, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. His death was ruled a suicide by shotgun wound to his mouth, the medical examiner's office reported.
Traczyk served as a board member for Oak Park’s school district 97 since 2007, according to the district’s website.
“We are incredibly shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of our friend and colleague Peter Traczyk,” a statement from the district’s board said. “There are no words that can truly express the enormity of this loss for our district and community.”
“We will miss his brilliance and infectious sense of humor, which left an indelible mark on all who had the great honor and privilege of serving alongside him on the board during the past eight years. We will also always remember and be inspired by the strong work ethic, integrity and tireless commitment he displayed on a daily basis. “
Traczyk served as board president in 2010 and 2011, according to his biography on the district’s website. He had also worked in the financial serrvices industry for about 25 years, the website said.
