Thomas DuVal, of Sebastian, passed away on Aug. 3, 2016, with his family and service dog at his side.
He is survived by his sweetheart Nancy; his sons and their families, Earl Jerome (Jerry) DuVal of Marysville, Ohio, his wife Julie and sons Clayton and Blaise; Thomas S. (Beau) DuVal of Whitewater, Wis., his wife Julie and children Emma, Tommy and Jimmy; and cousins Marcia Fink (Ray), Theolet Bodry (Jeffrey), Bob Sittig (Sharon), Suzanne Gerard and Charlotte Mendick (Morris).
He was predeceased by his parents and cousin Gil Grove.
DuVal was born in Oak Park, Ill., to Thomas P. and Emma Grove DuVal. He attended Austin High School and then the University of Illinois, earning a B.A. and M.A. in Speech & Drama. After receiving a law degree from Northwestern University, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. In 1958 he married Frances Calamia and together they raised two fine boys.
He began his law career in the Trust Department of Continental Bank before practicing trial law with the Chicago Bar. He also served as Chief Counsel for the University of Illinois-Circle Campus. When the family moved to Barrington, Ill., he practiced general and commercial real estate law for 25 years with the firm Tinkoff, Popko & DuVal. He coached and cheered his sons in baseball and football, and took time to encourage and support many other youngsters, looking out for the underdog and any kid in trouble. He was known around town as The Counselor as he was always available to both adults and youth in need of help.
After his first marriage ended in divorce he married Dr. Nancy Sachs and they truly enjoyed 30 years of each other’s company and many adventures. In Barrington they belonged to the Riding Club of Barrington Hills, the Carriage Society and the Fox River Valley Hunt. In semi-retirement they moved to Whitewater Lake, Wis., where they enjoyed golf, boating and bicycling and were members of the Whitewater Country Club. Then in 2005 they found their little piece of paradise in Sebastian enjoying all that nature has to offer and being blessed with new friends, while keeping the old.
DuVal was a great joke teller and good-hearted prankster – so many tales better left untold! He played a mean trumpet, was a fine cook, appreciated good music, played softball into his 60s and learned to ride/jump horses after age 50.
He loved God, his country, his sons and all creatures great and small, especially his beloved Newfoundland dogs (Sheba, Jubilee, Odin, Capt. Midnight and Black Jack) and his trusty horses Alibi and Peanut. He was honest, intelligent, generous, strong, caring and loyal – but never ever boring.
As a true baseball fan, he was looking forward to seeing the Cubs in the World Series, having actually attended one Series game at Wrigley Field in 1945 – maybe he can enlist some help from Heaven this year. All who knew Tom respected his strength and courage as he dealt with a progressively debilitating neurological condition for almost 15 years. He was a big presence and will be missed more than words can express.
