Judge Garry William Bryan, 6th Judicial Circuit, 60, of Clinton, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2014, at Evanston Hospital surrounded by his family. His heroic fight to overcome a long illness is a testament to his love for his family, friends, and his work.

Garry was born on October 8, 1953, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of George W. and Helen Bryan. He is survived by his beloved wife: Joyce; son: Jason Bryan and partner Michele Carroll; son: Jeremy Bryan and wife Amber; precious granddaughters: Mackenzie and Marley Bryan; brother: Corey Bryan and wife Lorraine Gallagher; and numerous much-loved family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He began his childhood in Harvey, IL and moved to Naperville, IL where he met Joyce, the love of his life, in high school. They married in 1975.

Judge Bryan received his bachelor’s degree in English from Lewis University and his law degree from John Marshall Law School. His career included working for the Public Defender’s Office, the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Service Commission, and serving as a clerk for Judge A. G. Webber. He spent the majority of his career in law practice with Ray and David Moss. Ultimately, he became the DeWitt County Circuit Judge.

Garry was an avid fisherman, epicurean, connoisseur of fine wine, and gardener. He loved growing orchids, faceting gemstones, and prided himself in preparing gourmet meals for his friends and family.

Judge Michael Murray was a fair man who was a good father, a devoted husband, and an apolitical, independent-minded judge who seldom brought his work home with him, two of his sons said Tuesday.

Murray, 79, of Orland Park, and formerly a longtime resident of Chicago’s Beverly community, died Saturday, August 23, two weeks after he had a heart attack.

A native of Beverly, he grew up with five brothers in a home on Longwood Drive near Ridge Park. He and a younger brother hoisted an American flag every day on the corner during World War II, son Dave Murray said.

Judge Murray had a long career in law in private practice, as an attorney for Chicago Public Schools, and as a judge.

From 1987 to 2007, he served as an associate judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Based at the Bridgeview courthouse, he also heard a wide variety of cases in courthouses around the county, son Matt Murray said.

Read the full obituary in the SouthtownStar.

Eugene Mitchell "Gene" Snarski, a resident of Waukegan, Illinois, since 1958, passed away on September 2, 2014, after a long illness . Gene was born on April 15, 1927, to Charlotte R. Snarski and Narcyz (Nicholas) Snarski of North Chicago, Illinois. His maternal grandparents were Adam Ratajczak and Maryanna Ratajczak of 918 14th St., North Chicago, Illinois. His paternal grandparents were Anthony Snarski and Marcianna Malkiewich of Trusy, Poland.

Gene attended Holy Rosary Catholic Grade School in North Chicago starting in 1931, and graduated in May of 1940. Thereafter, he attended Waukegan Township High School (WTHS). He played in the Junior band for a half year and then entered into the ROTC program at WTHS as a private and progressed through the ranks, attaining the rank of Captain during the early stages of World War II. He graduated from WTHS in May of 1944.

In June of 1944, he began studies at the University of Notre Dame. His studies there were interrupted when he was drafted at the age of 18 into the United States Army at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. After completing basic training, he was transferred to Camp Hood, Texas, where he became an Infantry Rifleman First Class. He served at the Field Artillery Camp at Fort Sill, Oklahoma from June 21, 1945, to October 31, 1946, when he was honorably discharged as a private First Class Infantryman from the Headquarters Battery of the Fifth Field Artillery Group Army of the United States.

ISBA Past President Tom Leahy, 62, of Chicago and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, died Saturday, August 23 after a short and valiant struggle with cancer. He served as ISBA President from 1993-1994 and as Chairman of ISBA Mutual Insurance Company from 1995-1996. Visitation will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28 at St. Clement Church, 642 W. Deming Pl., Chicago until celebration of Life Mass at noon. Private interment at Graceland Cemetery will take place at a later date

A graduate of Highland Park High School, University of Notre Dame and Loyola University School of Law, Chicago, Tom was a practicing trial lawyer specializing in plaintiffs' personal injury for over 35 years. During law school, Mr. Leahy worked for the personal injury defense firm of Clausen, Miller, Gorman, Caffrey & Witous and the plaintiff personal injury firm of Philip H. Corboy & Associates. Mr. Leahy became an associate attorney at the Corboy firm after graduation and remained there until he left to start his own firm in 1980, The Law Office of Tom Leahy. In 2002 he joined with Peter Hoste to form his Chicago law firm, Leahy & Hoste.