Alain Pierre Maes

Alain Maes died in Evanston IL on November 23, 2024. Alain was born in Nîmes, France on November 17, 1940.

Alain Maes died in Evanston IL on November 23, 2024. Alain was born in Nîmes, France on November 17, 1940. When Alain was a toddler his mother took him from his home in Saint Hippolyte du Fort (near Nîmes) to Geneva, Switzerland to meet relatives. It was the beginning of World War II and his family members believed the war would be short-lived. Given this, his mom was convinced to return to France and leave him behind where he would be safe. As a result, Alain spent his first few years away from his parents enjoying Swiss chocolates and learning to read. After a few years, he was put on a train by himself full of other children to return to his family in France, even as the war continued and food was sparse.

As he grew older, his father, a Protestant minister taught him geography as they followed the Tour de France together and he remained a life-long fan of the race. His mother took him to see Hollywood movies, which in time would become classics, and to concerts of classical music, which would forever be part of his life.

Alain studied philosophy and classical studies in Greek, Latin and German at the Université d'Aix-en-Provence and the Sorbonne in Paris. In Aix, he picked out his future wife Nancy nee Davies, from Racine, Wisconsin, who was part of a large group of students from many countries.

In Paris, Alain worked at the French National Radio and Television Broadcasting System as an assistant producer and director involved with a wide variety of radio dramas, variety shows and cultural programs. Alain was specifically responsible for a series of interviews of iconic artists, such as innovative photographer Man Ray. During this time in Paris, he married Nancy Davies.

After the birth of their son, Stephane, they moved to Evanston, Illinois expecting to stay only two years. Alain brought to the U.S. what he called his "cultural life," the books he had read and his collection of Les Cahiers du Cinema. His subscription to the prestigious film magazine never lapsed and his passion for film was a constant in his life.

Alain found work in Chicago at the Encyclopedia Brittanica Educational Corporation where he was the co-author of film scripts and producer-director of audiotapes for a multi-media system of teaching French to American high school students. He was also responsible for shooting the related films in France.

Alain then became the industrial attaché for the French Trade Commission in Chicago and was next named as the executive director of the Association of French Mechanical Industries. After that he launched his own company, Alma Bridge, an international trade consultancy specializing in marketing and communications between French and American companies.

What was meant to be a two year stay in the US had become permanent. The couple's son, Theodore, was born in Evanston Il.

After retiring, Alain worked as a wine consultant. He was always willing to share his knowledge of the best French wines in the Chicago area that were affordable. He loved to recommend his favorite authentic vintage bistros in Paris and little-known restaurants of emerging French chefs with Americans traveling to France. He leaves behind the work he researched and wrote, French Restaurants in Chicago: A 75 Year Retrospective 1924-1999, as well as many other writings on food and wine. They are available at https://frenchvirtualcafe.blogspot.com/.

Alain is survived by wife Nancy; his son Theodore; his son Stéphane and his wife Andrea, and grandchildren Sebastien and Ariella; his brothers Olivier and Luc; his sister Catherine and their extended families in France.

A memorial service will be held for family members and close friends in France in the summer 2025.