Wayne W. Cone

Wayne W. Cone, 72, also known as "Butch", of Venice, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital following a long illness. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he spent most of his life in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, including Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where he lived for over 30 years. Wayne worked for 15 years at Central States Funds in Rosemont, Illinois, and previously at the Allstate Corporation's location in Skokie, Illinois. After retiring from full time work in 2010, Wayne and his wife moved to Venice where they celebrated the ocean sunsets, the absence of snow, the freedom to wear shorts 365 days per year, and a more peaceful lifestyle. Wayne was a quiet and respectful man but had a keen wit and knack for sarcasm which kept his family chuckling. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family, caring for his family's many pets including English and French Bulldogs, various cats and several lizards over the decades, and watching TV (especially all fishing shows, classic movies and The Ellen Show). Wayne loved and was extremely proud of his son Michael Lesak of Chicago, who preceded Wayne in death in 2008, daughter Kristen Cone of Chicago, with whom he shared a deep passion for stage comedy and antics, and grandchildren Harry and Zoë Lesak of Chicago. He was also survived by his beloved wife of over 40 years, Kathleen (Gold) Cone, his sister and brother-in-law, Marshelle (Cone) and Chris Curtin of Arizona, nephew Jason Curtin of Massachusetts, cousins Joan and Pete Wallace of Ohio, his "adopted grandchildren" Adam and Justina Lee of McHenry, Illinois, and his daughter-in-law Maureen (Murray) Lesak Flener of Chicago. Internment will be private. Memorial donations may be made in Wayne's name to the American Lung Association or to Open Heart Magic of Chicago.