I grew up in Western Springs. Between eighth grade and freshman year in high school my best friend moved to Hinsdale and attended Hinsdale Central not LT. We thought this was a fate worse than death, but we came to learn that Hinsdale was not such a bad place. I got a degree in Finance from the University of Illinois in Champaign and would repeat those four years in a heartbeat. I then went to law school in Massachusetts and learned the true meaning of the phrase “counting the days”. Nothing could get me to repeat the law school experience.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married with two sons. One son is a financial planner who lives in California. The other son is a lawyer who lives in Chicago.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been practicing law for over thirty years. I prepare Trusts and Wills and assist trustees with their duties regarding administering Trusts. What I enjoy most is meeting one on one with clients and figuring out what they would like to accomplish with their Trust or Will. Sometimes the goal is to provide funds for college for a grandchild. Whatever the goal, I then create language for the Trust or Will which will allow that goal to be achieved, even after the client is no longer around.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Ledo’s in LaGrange has the best thin crust pizza, bar none.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born in Western Springs and lived there until college in Champaign, Illinois and then left for law school in Massachusetts. I returned to Western Springs twenty years later. My mom was still living in the house I grew up in.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Clemet Bedrava, janitor for over thirty years at Field Park Elementary School in Western Springs. Everyone in the school adored him. There was nothing beyond his capabilities.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
London, England I can listen to The King’s English being spoken and never tire of it.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Frasier. My dog’s name is Roz.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Buy low. Sell high.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
REO Speedwagon
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Spaghetti Bowl in Western Springs
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Kim Strassel from the Wall Street Journal because she is incredibly well informed. We would meet at Egg Harbor.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Kirschbaum’s Bakery where you can get the best glazed donut holes on the planet.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Right here. Doing what I am doing now.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I can beat almost anyone at ping pong.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The beach at Santa Barbara, California
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
July, Fourth of July, Fourth of July Because the weather is fantastic
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Jerry Seinfeld’s I’m Telling You for the Last Time performance
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Paul Gigot
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Freshly baked cinnamon rolls
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
on the sofa