Eugene Sikorovsky

1927 - 2018

Eugene "Gene" Frank Sikorovsky died peacefully on Sunday, Sept 30, 2018 at his home in Lake Forest, Illinois. He will be remembered as a true gentleman of the highest integrity. Gene was a retired general counsel and a devoted contributor to the community. He was born November 27, 1927 in Jackson, Michigan, to Frank and Betty Sikorovsky. He received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1948, where he was President of the Michigan Union and a member of Michigamua. He was granted honors by Tau Beta Pi. Gene received an LL.B. degree from Harvard Law School in 1951. While in law school, he met his future wife Patricia O'Byrne, and they were married in July, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri. Following law school, Gene was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve as an active duty lieutenant with an early warning airborne squadron from 1951 to 1954 and was stationed in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Following his military duty, Gene and Pat moved to New York City, where Gene joined the law firm of Cahill Gordon & Reindel. There, he practiced corporate, securities and banking law, becoming a partner of the firm in 1964. After fifteen years with the firm, he joined Reynolds Metals Company in Richmond, Virginia, as Vice President, General Counsel and Director. In 1977, Gene and Pat moved with their family to the Chicago area where he became Vice President, General Counsel for Gould, Inc. in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. He later joined Bell & Howell Company, where he was Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Director until his retirement. He was a member of the New York and Illinois bars and the bars of federal courts including the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Gene dedicated his time to many non-profit and community endeavors and cherished opportunities to support those in need. He was a member of the boards of the Gateway Foundation, CASA Lake County, Presbyterian Homes, Career Resource Center, and Bravo Waukegan. He served on the Lake Forest Board of Education, and he was a vestryman and long-time choir member at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest. Gene was known for his exceptional kindness, integrity, intelligence, humility and love for his family, extended family and friends. He was an accomplished violinist, and enthusiastically shared his lifelong passion for music with all. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patricia O'Byrne Sikorovsky; their five children Paul Sikorovsky, Charles Sikorovsky, Catherine Lachenauer, Elizabeth Sikorovsky and Emily DiMiceli; sons-in-law Robert Lachenauer and Joseph DiMiceli; grandchildren Alexandra, Rebecca, Anna, Elena, Sophia, Julia and Elisa; and his brother Edmond Sikorovsky. A memorial service will be held at 3PM on Saturday, October 6 at The Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be deeply appreciated by the following: The Church of the Holy Spirit, 400 East Westminster Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045 and Bravo Waukegan (www.bravowaukegan.org). Info: Wenban Funeral Home (847) 234-0022.