Edward A. Hendricks, of Willowbrook, IL died on Thursday, August 27th, 2015 in Memphis, TN at the age of 90.
Ed was born November 16th, 1924 in Chicago, IL to Edgar and Mary (Benestante) Hendricks. Ed served under the 248th Engineer Combat Battalion, Company C during WWII. In 1942 he married Clara McGale, whom he met at the Road King service station on St. Charles Avenue; they were married for 59 years.
Affectionately known as Otis or Big Ed to his family and friends, he exemplified the qualities of the "Greatest Generation". Ed was born a salesman, and he quickly found the perfect venue for his charisma while working for The Fair Store and later at Lyon & Healy. Intrigued by the world of music, in 1974 he opened Hendricks Pianos, which will celebrate its 41st year in business this month. While continuing to oversee his retail store, Ed moved to New York to join Steinway & Sons where he was the National Sales Manager and Director of Marketing from '75 until '78. Hendricks Pianos, which began in his home, had as many as 9 locations in 2 states. Ed retired at the age of 86, and his office remains the same as it did 4 years ago. When not on the sales floor Ed could be found singing along to Frank Sinatra, attending a musical at the Drury Lane, playing with his cats, participating in the Rotary Club of Downers Grove, and watching the 24-hour cable news cycle.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Clara; his son-in-law Ronald Finley; and his grandchild Carl Finley. He is survived by his two daughters Patricia M. Finley of Alpharetta, GA, Linda S. Jenkins of Bartlett, TN; one son-in-law and business partner William J. Jenkins; four grandchildren, Aaron, Nathan, Kristen, and Troy; and great-grandchildren Michael and Abigail.
Interment to be held in Memphis, TN with a memorial service in Chicago, IL at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association .
Ed was born November 16th, 1924 in Chicago, IL to Edgar and Mary (Benestante) Hendricks. Ed served under the 248th Engineer Combat Battalion, Company C during WWII. In 1942 he married Clara McGale, whom he met at the Road King service station on St. Charles Avenue; they were married for 59 years.
Affectionately known as Otis or Big Ed to his family and friends, he exemplified the qualities of the "Greatest Generation". Ed was born a salesman, and he quickly found the perfect venue for his charisma while working for The Fair Store and later at Lyon & Healy. Intrigued by the world of music, in 1974 he opened Hendricks Pianos, which will celebrate its 41st year in business this month. While continuing to oversee his retail store, Ed moved to New York to join Steinway & Sons where he was the National Sales Manager and Director of Marketing from '75 until '78. Hendricks Pianos, which began in his home, had as many as 9 locations in 2 states. Ed retired at the age of 86, and his office remains the same as it did 4 years ago. When not on the sales floor Ed could be found singing along to Frank Sinatra, attending a musical at the Drury Lane, playing with his cats, participating in the Rotary Club of Downers Grove, and watching the 24-hour cable news cycle.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Clara; his son-in-law Ronald Finley; and his grandchild Carl Finley. He is survived by his two daughters Patricia M. Finley of Alpharetta, GA, Linda S. Jenkins of Bartlett, TN; one son-in-law and business partner William J. Jenkins; four grandchildren, Aaron, Nathan, Kristen, and Troy; and great-grandchildren Michael and Abigail.
Interment to be held in Memphis, TN with a memorial service in Chicago, IL at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association .
Edward A. Hendricks, of Willowbrook, IL died on Thursday, August 27th, 2015 in Memphis, TN at the age of 90.
Ed was born November 16th, 1924 in Chicago, IL to Edgar and Mary (Benestante) Hendricks. Ed served under the 248th Engineer Combat Battalion, Company C during WWII. In 1942 he married Clara McGale, whom he met at the Road King service station on St. Charles Avenue; they were married for 59 years.
Affectionately known as Otis or Big Ed to his family and friends, he exemplified the qualities of the "Greatest Generation". Ed was born a salesman, and he quickly found the perfect venue for his charisma while working for The Fair Store and later at Lyon & Healy. Intrigued by the world of music, in 1974 he opened Hendricks Pianos, which will celebrate its 41st year in business this month. While continuing to oversee his retail store, Ed moved to New York to join Steinway & Sons where he was the National Sales Manager and Director of Marketing from '75 until '78. Hendricks Pianos, which began in his home, had as many as 9 locations in 2 states. Ed retired at the age of 86, and his office remains the same as it did 4 years ago. When not on the sales floor Ed could be found singing along to Frank Sinatra, attending a musical at the Drury Lane, playing with his cats, participating in the Rotary Club of Downers Grove, and watching the 24-hour cable news cycle.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Clara; his son-in-law Ronald Finley; and his grandchild Carl Finley. He is survived by his two daughters Patricia M. Finley of Alpharetta, GA, Linda S. Jenkins of Bartlett, TN; one son-in-law and business partner William J. Jenkins; four grandchildren, Aaron, Nathan, Kristen, and Troy; and great-grandchildren Michael and Abigail.
Interment to be held in Memphis, TN with a memorial service in Chicago, IL at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association .
Ed was born November 16th, 1924 in Chicago, IL to Edgar and Mary (Benestante) Hendricks. Ed served under the 248th Engineer Combat Battalion, Company C during WWII. In 1942 he married Clara McGale, whom he met at the Road King service station on St. Charles Avenue; they were married for 59 years.
Affectionately known as Otis or Big Ed to his family and friends, he exemplified the qualities of the "Greatest Generation". Ed was born a salesman, and he quickly found the perfect venue for his charisma while working for The Fair Store and later at Lyon & Healy. Intrigued by the world of music, in 1974 he opened Hendricks Pianos, which will celebrate its 41st year in business this month. While continuing to oversee his retail store, Ed moved to New York to join Steinway & Sons where he was the National Sales Manager and Director of Marketing from '75 until '78. Hendricks Pianos, which began in his home, had as many as 9 locations in 2 states. Ed retired at the age of 86, and his office remains the same as it did 4 years ago. When not on the sales floor Ed could be found singing along to Frank Sinatra, attending a musical at the Drury Lane, playing with his cats, participating in the Rotary Club of Downers Grove, and watching the 24-hour cable news cycle.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Clara; his son-in-law Ronald Finley; and his grandchild Carl Finley. He is survived by his two daughters Patricia M. Finley of Alpharetta, GA, Linda S. Jenkins of Bartlett, TN; one son-in-law and business partner William J. Jenkins; four grandchildren, Aaron, Nathan, Kristen, and Troy; and great-grandchildren Michael and Abigail.
Interment to be held in Memphis, TN with a memorial service in Chicago, IL at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association .
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