Steve. (written at counsins' reunion, 1991?)<BR>

Of the lives of all the Cole children, mine seems to be the one centered around the idea of "place". My earliest memories are of the grand house in Peoria with rain barrels under the downspouts at each front corner. Then, our move by steam train to Dickens Avenue near Chicago. Finally, almost to dairy country in our move to 218 Nottingham in Glenview. My best memories were community corn shuckings and the community ice skating pond in the Thomas' big yard. Then there were the cows next door and the wonderful wide open spaces -- vistas as I recall now.

Grade school was at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a full mile walk each way, giving me a truthful foundation for all my later moralizing for the benefit (and the sorrow) of daughters Colleen and Meg. Attended Loyola Academy from 1951 to 1955, graduating in the Honors (Greek language and classical) course. Wanted to major in Greek in college, but older brother Charles talked me out of it, with the suggestion that I should consider being bought off with something as mundane as mere money, at least as a future possibility. Being the first time I ever listened to my older brother about anything, I later became encouraged by the result and asked him for advice on another occasion.

In high school as a sophomore cross-country runner, won the Junior Catholic Cross Country Championship individual medal and the team also won the championship trophy. Lettered in track and cross country for all four years (frosh letters were numerals at that time.) Played football senior year for a short time but was retired due to injury. Swam backstroke on the swim team briefly. Also worked on the school yearbook, paper, and glee club. Tried for several college scholarships, and did received a four year full tuition NROTC scholarship to my Mom's great relief. I had told her I would be just as happy being a cross-country truck driver, because I liked the idea of the open road.

Went to Holy Cross College, which had a Navy program, graduated in 1959 with a BS in Economics and was commissioned an Ensign USNR on the same day. While at the "Cross", sang with the glee club freshman year and ran track the following three years. The two activities were mutually exclusive because of the intensity of practice schedules.

For the next 3 plus years, served as a destroyer officer in the Atlantic Fleet, achieving OOD Underway-Formation steaming qualification aboard various ships, and staff watch officer underway, as communication officer for Destroyer Squadron 36. Met the lovely and talented Anne Marie Carr at the legendary "Moorings", home of the New York Yacht Club America's Cup races, while attending communications officer school in Newport, R.I. and we were married two years later. Colleen was born while we were home ported in Newport.

Returned to Chicago and worked for a variety of private companies while attending night law school at John Marshall Law School and graduated in 1968 in the top ten percent of the class, Juris Doctor with Honor. Worked for a law firm for five years, and then started my own law office in 1974. Practiced a widening variety of law, continuing to this date.

Presently and for the past 8 years I have been Executive Director of the Christian Conciliation Service of Northern Illinois, part of the growing network of alternative dispute resolution centers across the country.

My future aspirations are classified as political. In 1984 I ran for a seat on the DuPage County (Ill.) Board (roundly defeated), and in 1986 I was chosen to run for Congress from the 6th District of Illinois; however, with the help of my brothers (the other time I asked for advice) I had the good sense to decline. I agreed with the incumbent (the popular and good looking Henry Hyde) on almost every issue of note, so I was hardly going to contest him on his record. Other than his record, he had everything else going for him. Subsequently, I found it meaningful and more fulfilling to join his party, rather than mine, and that's where I am today. You can see what I mean about "place" being so important.

In 1987 I was certified to run for election to the State of Illinois Citizens Utility Board (a charitably funded organization created by state statute) for the seat representing the 6th Congressional District, and won the election. I have just completed that 4 year term.

I am hoping to some do more in politics, maybe as a judge, God willing. In the meantime we've married off both girls and Anne and I are doing almost every good thing together, including law, her art, and the church group we lead. I teach a new members bible class as well, and we keep up with our friends as well as we can. Anne was bitten by a Lyme (deer) tick 12 years ago and is suffering some severe problems now. (No longer seems to be a problem at this time 1999) We're hoping to find the right cure if one becomes available.

My dad, Harry Michael Cole, died when I was 12 and our younger siblings, Tom and Marylin were 6 and 3. Mom, Frances Irene Thorson Cole raised them herself by teaching kindergarten for 20 years after dad passed on. Brother Charles was in many ways the missing father to the rest of the brood, and did well. Mom died on All Souls Day, November 1, 1987 and is buried alongside dad in All Souls Cemetery, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Our girls married two terrific guys, Karl Glander and Gerard Anderson. Karl is an orthodontist in Indianapolis, and he and Colleen have given us an exciting grandchild who will become an astronaut, Austin Karl Glander. Gerry is an acquisitions expert for Brown Foreman Industries in Louisville. His wife, Meg, and Colleen too, are both pregnant, expecting arrivals on February 13 and 14, respectively. A very exciting ten years is expected.