Kevin John Cummings Obituary (1955

Kevin John Cummings passed away on December 27, 2023, at the age of 68. Kevin grew up in Franklin Park as the youngest of five children. His energy seemed boundless and never ending as he pursued a mix of artistic, athletic, and academic interests such as tennis, swimming, golf, Japanese Swords, and lapidary arts. He graduated from Holy Cross High School (1973) and received his undergraduate degree from DePaul University (1977) (Bachelor of Science). Of his childhood pursuits, tennis followed him throughout his adult life. He played competitively on the semi-professional circuit. Kevin’s passion for coaching and mentoring took over his love of playing. Over the years, he could be found on courts all over Chicago coaching and teaching tennis at East Bank Club, Midtown Athletic Club, McFetridge, the tennis courts of Maggie Daley Park, and Lake Shore Sport & Fitness. He also played a role in bringing pickleball to Chicago courts. His mentoring extended past the net to helping students with resume writing and interview preparation through his association with the DePaul University Alumni Association. Kevin was highly regarded in his career in human resources. The consummate professional, he put the “human” in human resources. Over the course of his career, he has engaged at every level of his profession, ultimately culminating in his consulting practice, KJC Consulting, Ltd. As one colleague stated, “To work for him in such robust company was magic. He gave as much compassionate leadership onboarding a new hire as he did in creating a sense of accomplishment and success in exit interviews.” Kevin enjoyed the finer dining in life whether it was his own creations of loaded mashed potatoes, turkey, Bloody Marys or guacamole to local Chicagoland dining establishments such as Tapas Valencia, Weather Mark, D4, or Gene & Jude’s for French fries near his hometown of Franklin Park, IL. He also enjoyed the simple comfort food of corned beef and cabbage. He also made sure to pass on the knowledge that the only way to cook was with a glass of wine in his hand. Later in life, he developed a passion for woodworking. He spent recreational hours at the woodworking studio at the Horner Park Field House. Above all, Kevin’s heart was easily recognized in his guiding principle, “family first”. Requests from relatives were not only treated with the integrity deserving of the need, but layered with care and love to nurture beyond just the appeal. We love you Kevin and will feel your spirit with us. Always. He is predeceased by his parents, Clarence “Larry” and Aileen “Lee” Cummings (nee O’Brien), brother Gregory Cummings, niece Angela Brader, and nephew Patrick Cummings. He is survived by wife Mary Cummings; siblings Brian Cummings (Glinda), Therese Brader (Carl), Pamela Maloney (Kevin); and nieces and nephews Alissa Spera (Albert), Bridget Baker (Tracie), Michael Cummings (Keegan McKay), Kelli Maloney, Meghan Klick (Troy), Ryan Maloney (Michael Raul Brown), Kevin Michael Maloney, Jennifer Kay (Brian), Nicole Maynard (Travis); and ten grand nieces and nephews. Donations may be made in Kevin’s name to the American Diabetes Association, https://diabetes.org. Visitation Saturday March 9, 9am (mass begins 10am), at St. Thomas of Villanova, 1201 W. Anderson Dr., Palatine, IL. Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-370-2959 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.