SAMUEL C. MARAGOS 1922-2005; Ex-judge, lawyer worked 'tirelessly' for causes

Former Cook County Judge Samuel C. Maragos, 83, died Tuesday ofcongestive heart failure.

An attorney who specialized in municipal law, wills, tax,commercial and trust law, Mr. Maragos practiced with his son, Dean,at Maragos & Maragos until he took ill a few months ago.

As a state representative and state senator from South Chicagofrom 1968 to 1980,he helped pass the no-fault insurance law, the lawagainst panic-peddling and bills related to the Illinois PortAuthority, which he served on as vice chairman. He voted for openhousing and the Equal Rights Amendment.

Mr. Maragos served several terms as an appointed Cook County judgein the early 1990s.

Mr. Maragos was born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1922 to Greekimmigrant parents. During the Depression, the family moved toChicago, where Mr. Maragos attended Bowen High School, then workedhis way through the University of Chicago, graduating with abachelor's degree in 1943.

In 1943 he joined the Army, leaving in 1946 as a lieutenant. In1948 he graduated from the John Marshall Law School and began acareer in law and public service. He later served as chairman of JohnMarshall's board of trustees.

He was one of the original organizers of the Retail Clerk's Unionin 1939 and prided himself on a 100 percent pro-union voting recordin 1980 in the state Senate.

He was a founding member of the Hellenic Bar Association, on theexecutive committee of the United Hellenic American Congress and wasactive in the Greek Orthodox Church.

When Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis ran for president in 1988,Mr. Maragos was one of his most active supporters in Illinois.

"There are not so many Greek Americans in public life, and SamMaragos had just the best reputation in Springfield, honest,incorruptible, capable, he was just the best," said U.S. DistrictJudge Charles Kocoras. "He worked tirelessly for every cause he wasinvolved in."

He headed up the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce, the SouthChicago American Legion Post 493 and served on the executive board ofthe Chicago Area Council of the Boy Scouts.

In addition to Dean, Mr. Maragos is survived by his wife, Cleo;sons A. John, Dr. James and George; and seven grandchildren.

His funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. today at S.S. Constantine andHelen Greek Orthodox Church, 11025 S. Roberts Rd., Palos Hills.Internment will follow at Fairmont-Willow Hill Cemetery.