Walter D. Cummings, Homewood’s village attorney for 39 years, died Thursday, July 27. He had served under seven village managers.
Cummings, 85, was originally from Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. He served in the United States Marine Corps, graduated from DePaul University College of Law, and started a 63-year career as a lawyer. His first position was an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago. He later worked as an attorney for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad before moving to Homewood in the early 1960s and starting a private practice.
Over the years, his firm Walter D.Cummings Ltd. had several attorneys as associates, including former Homewood mayor John Doody, Robert Kistner and James Duda. In 1995, he sold his practice to Duda and his son, Christopher J. Cummings. The practice was then known as Cummings & Duda. Walt Cummings was associated with the practice for another 10 years, primarily focused on village of Homewood work.
Walt Cummings retired from the practice in 2006, and Chris Cummings became the village attorney. But Walt continued practicing law and was an arbitrator for the Cook County Circuit Court until his death.
“He was very protective and well-reasoned in all legal matters for the village. He always had the well being of the village at heart,” Mayor Richard Hofeld said. “I always tell Chris, ‘Your dad trained you well.’ We’re very fortunate to have had Walt and now Chris represent us.”
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons Chris, David, Andrew and Peter; three step-children; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st St., Orland Park. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Orland Park.