Jack J. Fried

Fried, Jack J. Father of Ian and Laurie; grandfather to Maya and Andrew; brother to Edward, and 45 year resident of Highland Park, IL passed away Monday at the age of 83. Born in New York City in 1929, Jack grew up on the West Side of Chicago and then attended the University of Illinois, receiving a degree in Floriculture in 1951. One of the cross-pollinations from his work at the University was successful and was bred as the Illini Starflower. Jack served in the Army for two years where he volunteered for an atomic test exercise denoting him as an Atomic Veteran. He started his own business, Lakeside Landscapers and Irrigation and also worked as an estate planner for CIGNA. He was also a member of the Highland Park Appearance Review Commission in the 1970s. Jack loved to travel to exotic locales with highlights including traveling down the Amazon on a houseboat, going on safari in Africa, trekking through the jungles of Borneo and Bali, and climbing up Mt. Popocatepetl in Mexico. Jack's passion was developing and caring for his Bonsai trees. He served as president of the Midwest Bonsai Society in the 1990s and his Bonsais won many prizes, including several Best of Show awards. His nationally renowned privet was accepted as part of the US National Bonsai Collection and now resides at the National Bonsai Museum in Washington, DC. But Jack's favorite place was his beautiful backyard in Highland Park where he would sit outside and work on his trees. All of the beautiful trees he trained and the family and friends he touched will be his lasting legacy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jack's name may be made to the Chicago Botanic Garden.