David Cwik Obituary

Cwik, David L.

David Leonard Cwik, 70, of Chicago, died May 21st after a brief illness. An attorney of the first rank, Dave built a successful estate planning and probate practice from his office on North Ave, where he served the people of Galewood and the Northwest side of Chicago for almost 30 years. Dave grew up in the Belmont-Cragin neighborhood, attending public school and graduating from Lane Tech. He was an undergraduate at Northwestern, commuting to classes from his parent's bungalow and working nights to help pay for his education. After earning his degree Dave went to Notre Dame Law School. He was a true 'neighborhood lawyer', beloved by his clients, but also an adventurous and innovative attorney who took on cases that stretched around the world to places such as Indonesia, Lithuania, and (the Republic of) Georgia, among others. Dave was a man of many passions – food, travel, friends, family, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, business, biking, pickleball, and his beloved hometown, the city of Chicago. He was a supportive and engaged father, loved his family and relished the role of "Grandpa Dave". He once said that for him, "life is not either/or – it's both/and". He was both old fashioned (in the best sense) and innovative in his law practice, an adventurer and a Chicago lifer, at home in the city but also the mountains and ocean shores of the American West, a lover of solitary walks along the coast and boisterous dinner tables. He was generous and gentlemanly, stubborn and exacting but never stinting in praise for those who met his standards. He loved life, and he left nothing on the table. A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, July 11 from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Elms Funeral Home 7600 W. Grand Ave. (turn north at 76th Ave.), Elmwood Park. Family and friends to meet, Saturday, July 12 at St. William Church 2600 N. Sayre Ave., Chicago for the Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 10 a.m. Interment will be private at the Budzinski/Cwik family plot in St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles, IL. In lieu of flowers, please instead make a donation to Dom Samotney Matki/Holy Family Single Mother's House 2456 N Newcastle Ave, Chicago, IL 60707 or to a charitable cause of your choice, or just pick up the check the next time you're at dinner, as there is no better way to honor Dave's memory than to keep the spirit of his generosity and hospitality alive. For information, 708-453-1234 or www.elmsfh.com

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