Avellone, Francis Paul ‘Pierre’

Francis Paul (“Pierre”) Avellone, Commander, USN (Ret.), passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021 in Lake Forest, IL. with family at his side. Born March 5, 1926 in St. Louis, MO., Francis was the first of seven children of Salvatore Carmelo Avellone and Mary Amanda Avellone (nee Gingrich). He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Elizabeth T. Avellone (nee Byrne), son Francis S., daughter-in-law Kristin M. Avellone (nee Campbell), sister Carmela, and brother Thomas. Francis graduated in 1943 from South Side Catholic High School in St. Louis and enlisted in the Navy’s V-12 College Training Program through which he attended Central Methodist College, graduated

from Miami University of Ohio, attended Harvard Business School, and was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. After Naval Midshipman School he was commissioned as an ensign in the Naval Supply Corps beginning a 24-year career spanning WW II, the Korean Conflict, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam War. His last Naval duty was Comptroller for the Ninth Naval District at Great Lakes, IL. After the Navy Pierre earned an MBA from Roosevelt University and pursued a successful career as an enrolled actuary, Equitable Life agent, and senior partner,

president and owner of the Louis Behr Organization, a Chicago actuarial and employee benefits firm. He was an 80+-year licensed Amateur Radio operator, a 54-year member of the American Legion, a 20-year leader with the Lake Bluff Boy Scouts, a board member of Great Lakes Credit Union and was active in his church. Pierre was an avid gardener and known for his dedication to family, sharp intellect, ingenuity and inventiveness, quick wit, humor and a willing, adventuresome spirit. Survivors include his siblings Barbara Christ, Gandolfa Stegmann, Harvey, Richard and Elizabeth Suzanne Sander, and children Mary, Richard, William, Thomas, and Anne, along with nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Visitation at Wenban Funeral Home, Lake Forest, IL., Monday, July 26, 4-7pm. A memorial Mass will be held at Church of St. Mary in Lake Forest, at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to American Legion McKinlock Post Foundation-Scholarship, P. O. Box 264, Lake Forest, IL 60045, or to a charity

of your choice. Info: Wenban Funeral Home, Lake Forest (847) 234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com