Edward "Eddie" Michael Duthaler, beloved father, husband, son, uncle, nephew, brother-in-law, friend - and die-hard New York Yankees fan - died peacefully in his sleep on August 1. He was 72 years old.

Born on January 4, 1951 in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Edward and Bernice Duthaler, Eddie graduated from St. Nicholas Catholic School and Hudson Catholic High School. After watching the Dayton Flyers in the 1967 NCAA Final Four, Eddie decided to attend the University of Dayton - becoming the first in his family to graduate college.

After a few wild years living back in New York City, Eddie moved to Chicago to attend John Marshall Law School, where he earned the nickname "F. Lee" (for famed attorney F.Lee Bailey) from his friends. While in law school, he met Barbara Harmon through mutual friends and in 1986 they were married, cementing his Chicago residency for life. Shortly after, Eddie opened his own law practice in Park Ridge, IL, where, true to his word, he worked until the day he died.

In 1990, Eddie and Barb moved to Barb's hometown of Oak Park and welcomed the greatest joys of their lives, their twin daughters Katie and Maggie. Throughout the girls' childhood, Eddie never missed a softball practice or lacrosse game, earning another nickname - "Mr. Ed" - from the girls' friends, as he often showed up to an afternoon practice in his suit and tie. His greatest pride was sending the girls to Saint Ignatius College Prep and then onto Boston College.

Eddie was an avid reader of books (thrillers and mysteries), early riser, morning coffee drinker, and home (weekend) chef for his family. He loved tomato season in the summer, but his favorite day of the year was Major League Baseball opening day. He always eagerly looked forward to Thanksgivings back in New Jersey.

Eddie was loved by so many for his kindness, intelligence, quick wit and generosity. He was a hero to his daughters - someone they could always count on, even on his hardest days.

Eddie is survived by Barbara Harmon, his daughters Kathryn "Katie" and Margret "Maggie" and Maggie's husband Thomas; as well as many siblings-in-law, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

Memorial Visitation will be on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Elms Funeral Home, 7600 W. Grand Ave. (Turn north at 76th Ave.), Elmwood Park. Funeral services will take place at The Elms immediately following, at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, we'd ask that you'd consider a donation in Eddie's name to the Saint Ignatius College Prep Tuition Assistance Program:  https://www.ignatius.org/IMO-Ed-Duthaler