Michael Braude, 81, loving husband and best friend of Jan (nee Graber); cherished father of Daniel (Amy) Braude and Laura (Scott) Greenfield; proud Papa of Julia and Alyssa Braude, Joshua and Isabel Greenfield; son of the late Sally (Fink) and Benjamin Braude; brother of the late Kenneth (late Bunny) Braude; uncle of Keith (Liz) Braude and Kevin (Cheryl) Braude. Michael was a graduate of The Latin School of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, and the University of Chicago Law School. He was an attorney for 53 years retiring at the age of 78 after cancer surgery. He thrived on the practice of law and enjoyed very close relationships with many of his clients, some even engaging him for business as well as for legal advice. He was president of the Federal Bar Chicago Chapter and continued his 52 year involvement by serving on a number of Federal Bar committees including the Judicial Selection Committee which he served as chairman. He also served 14 years as a vice president of the national Federal Bar Association representing chapters in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Michael was regarded as a highly principled man, fair and loyal in his professional transactions as well as in all aspects of his life. Michael met Jan when they were volunteering for the Jewish United Fund of Chicago, where Michael served as President of the Young People's Division, sat on the boards of several JUF affiliated agencies, and for over 30 years was a member on the JUF Treasurer's Committee. He was also a volunteer for the University of Pennsylvania Admissions Department, co-chairing the Chicago area Secondary School Committee with two other alumni. He greatly enjoyed meeting and nurturing the young students he interviewed and continued to personally conduct interviews even after becoming, in the last 8 of his over 30 years of service, the single Chair responsible for organizing approximately 100 annual interviews with his committee. Michael was a student of wines, a lover of jazz and classical music with subscription tickets for 44 years to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a mediocre golfer, playing at Bryn Mawr Country Club since he was a kid, a good dancer with a repertoire including the Rhumba, Tango and West Coast Swing, a solid skier starting late at 37 until 70, and an avid traveler, crisscrossing the world from Africa, Antarctica to Australia from Costa Rica, Cambodia to China from Montevideo, Mumbai to Moscow, etc. Michael's wonderful life's journey was shared with Jan, his beloved wife of 47 years. He will be dearly missed. Graveside service Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1 PM at Memorial Park Cemetery, 9900 Gross Point Rd, Skokie. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Jewish United Fund (juf.org) or to a charity of your choice. For funeral info: 847-256-5700.
