Edward FitzSimons

My first memory of Edward was the all present cigar in/on the side of his mouth. He loved his cigar!!

Ed and Dianne used to take Mike, Ambler, and me to Sally´s Stage in Chicago for birthdays. We loved it!

I met Ed when I was campaigning for the Mayor's position in Mettawa. It was 2008 in his offices in Lake Forest and I still remember his kindness and willingness to accept my request for a meeting, so that I might better learn from Ed the history of the village. It was a bit awkward, as Ed was a friend of the then-current mayor, against whom I was running.

Ed was light-hearted and candid with his input to me, as he rolled an unlit cigar in his fingers. He was brilliant, and knowledgeable...just as my resources had told me he would be.

The Village of Mettawa was made better because of Ed's service, but few residents were ever able to see all that he did for Mettawa. It was his leadership and wisdom that helped residents and paved the way for other leaders to follow. Not in his footsteps, as those were to big to fill, rather, parallel, along the trail of statesmanship which he so carefully paved.

A great man of service to so many, is rarely ever duplicated.
Please know that so many residents appreciated all that Ed did for Mettawa.

May God give Ed and his family peace, every after.

Jess D. Ray
5th Mayor of Mettawa
Mettawa, IL.