Francis McQuade

FRANCIS "Frank" JOHN McQUADE, Jr., age 74 of Elburn, IL passed away Monday evening, March 8, 2004 at the Rosewood Care Center, St. Charles, where he had been a patient for the past few days. Ending the final quarter of a courageous battle against cancer, Coach McQuade, claimed his victory and immediately answered the call to coach an "all star" team.BORNHe was born October 2, 1929, in West Chicago, IL, the son of Francis John and Jane (Boyle) McQuade, Sr. "Frank" grew up in West Chicago where he graduated from high school with the class of 1948. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education at Illinois State University at Normal, IL and his Master’s Degree in Business from Northern Illinois University. During the Korean War, Frank served his country as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.Following his discharge, he played semi-pro basket ball with Fort Wayne Flyers, in Ft. Wayne, IN.About the same time, he began his teaching career in Serena, IL. He was coaching the Serena "Huskers" one afternoon when a captivating blonde walked into the gym and slam-dunked his heart. Six months later on November 4, 1956, Frank was united in marriage to Beverly A. Anderson in Newark, IL. Frank’s return "slam dunk" was to talk his bride into a hunting/honeymoon in Land-O-Lakes, WI where hunting season had just opened!They made their home for a short time in Geneva, before moving to Ottowa, IL where Francis coached at Marquette High School. From there his career to took them to East High, Aurora, where their first children, John III and Kim were born. In 1960, Frank left teaching for a career in business. He became a sales representative for children’s clothing manufacturers including Tom Sawyer, Dallas, TX; Billy the Kid, St. Louis and Piedmont Industries, New York. Those years took the family to Aberdeen South Dakota, where Cynthia was born; to Muncie, IN, in 1962 where Stephanie was born; and to Dallas, TX where Kevin was born. In 1972, Frank, Beverly and family settled near Elburn where they have since made their home. Although Frank traveled extensively in his work, his devotion to his wife and family got him home for every family event; a feat his family deeply appreciated. In the mid-eighties, Frank went into business for himself, forming Boys Outfitters. With offices in the Merchandise Mart, Chicago and in Minneapolis, MN, Frank’s company was very successful and eventually enabled him to return to work he loved the best – coaching. In 1986 Frank began coaching women’s basketball at Kaneland High School. In 1991 he took a position at North Park College, Chicago, for a year before returning to Kaneland the following year. 1n 1993 he retired from business and from 1995 to 1996 coached women’s basketball at Indian Creek High School.From1997-1999 he coached women’s basketball and softball at Aurora University and received the Coach of The Year Award from the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference for the 1997-’98 season.He went from Aurora University to Illinois Benedictine University, Lisle to become women’s basketball coach in 2000-2001. At both Aurora University and Illinois Benedictine his worked with his favorite assistant coaches, Bob Shick and Beth Creamean.In more recent years, Frank served as starter and marshall at Cantigny golf course and the at Mill Creek Golf Course where he mad many friends. Throughout his life, Frank’s natural abilities and disciplined principles made friends and success stories wherever he went. He was a "neat freak" at heart. Everything had a place. Dust not tolerated nor was anything less than your top effort anything. Charming and intelligent yet warm and witty, Frank was at home in any crowd. He had a gift for sales and a talent for coaching that worked in tandem. He could sell refrigerators to Eskimos and victory to any team. He was simply the best at anything he tried. MEMBERSHIPFrank was a life long sportsman and outdoorsman. He was also a member of the Amateur Trap Shooting Assoc. and the National Rifle Association.SURVIVORSIn addition to his wife, Beverly, he is survived by five children: John (Donna) McQuade IIIand their family Jill and Brett of St. Charles, ILKimberly McQuade of Batavia;Cynthia (Lawrence) Thomas of Sparta, NJ, and their son Reid;Stephanie (Jeffery) Johnson of Elgin, ILand their family Kelsey and Lance;Kevin McQuade of Elburn, ILIin addition he leaves a legacy of memories and one very faithful dog, his Black Lab, "Queenie". PRECEDEDHe is preceded in death by his parents. MEMORIALS – Memorials in Frank’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66., Elburn, IL 60119.

VISITATION / SERVICESMemorial Visitation will be held at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL from 4-7pm. Thursday with memorial services to follow at 7pm. Fr. Karl Ganss of St. Gall Church, Elburn, will officiate

Following cremation, private family committal services will later be held.