When I moved to Chicago in 1964, Zoe and Ab were cousins I barely knew. But they took me in and had an indelible impact on my life. Who knew that just 1 1/2 hours from Chicago lay beautiful beaches, dunes, and peace. They introduced me to the dunes and I knew I had to have a home there some day. In the meantime, I visited theirs often.
Ab also introduced me to politics and while I have worked for and with many politicians, Ab is still the most intelligent, decent, strategic, humble, warm, loving man or politician I have known.
He changed my life and strongly influenced my own career choices in public service.
I will miss that great smile, twinkling eyes, warm hug and enthusiastic greeting whenever he saw me. He made me feel like the most important person in the room and I know he made everyone else feel that way too. Much love and congratulations Abner for a life well lived.
– Judy Wise, 7/5/2016