Norman Victor Chimenti, 83, of Westmont, a former longtime Hinsdale resident, died peacefully on April 7, 2024, surrounded by family after being ambushed by a rare and fast-moving form of cancer.
Norm was born in Chicago in 1940 to Dante and Laura (Magrini) Chimenti of Chicago.
He spent his early years on Chicago's west side, moving further west when it became time to attend Hinsdale Township High School. Norm inherited a good mind and a strong body from his parents. These qualities enabled him to excel academically and athletically in high school, graduating in 1958. Norm was named to the Illinois High School All-State Football team, Prep All American Football team and was a fixture on Yale's offensive line. Norm was even drafted by the AFL's Boston Patriots but chose a career in law instead.
Norm graduated from Yale University with honors, earning a bachelor's degree in behavioral science in 1962. After graduation, he became a sergeant in the Marine Corps, serving on active duty in 1963-64, and in the Active Reserves until 1968, while simultaneously attending Yale Law School, graduating in 1967.
In March 1965, Norm encountered his future bride, BJ, on a TWA flight from New York to visit his parents in Chicago. This unbreakable bond shined for 55 years before BJ was taken by cancer.
Most of Norm's legal work involved labor law and environmental law. He practiced law at Kroehler Manufacturing Co .; Bulkmatic Transport Co .; and Martin, Craig, Chester & Sonnenschein. He continued into his 80s at Clausen Miller Law Firm. Norm was appointed by Gov. Jim Edgar to the Illinois Small Business Assistance Task Force and continued to serve as a special assistant attorney general to the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
Norm spent two months of every summer of his childhood at Camp Mishawaka in Grand Rapids, Minn. He returned to this special place decades later to fortify Camp Mishawaka's health to ensure the world has a place where kids may continue to thrive in balance.
Philanthropy - a consistent theme of Norm's life - was the source of many of Norm's lifelong friendships. He made contributions and rendered legal service to a number of not-for-profit organizations. Suffice it to say that if it was good for this world, our country, his community, and held at least the possibility that he could get some time on the stage, he was all in. Norm co-founded The Community House Players theater group in Hinsdale and was central to the creation of Hinsdale's Community Revue and starred in its productions for 20 years. As a swan song he established the BJ Chimenti Angel Fund for Veterans and Pets at the Hinsdale Humane Society.
He is survived by his sons, Derek and Chad; his daughters-in-law, Marybeth (Marszewski) and Katie (Lynch); and his grandchildren, Savanna, Dante, Madeline and Siena.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Norm's name to Hinsdale Humane Society for the BJ Chimenti Angel Fund for Veterans and Pets Program, 21 Salt Creek Lane, Hinsdale, IL 60521 (online at http://www.tinyurl.com/HHS-Norm-Chimenti-Memorial).
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
