There were no half-measures for Austin Joseph McGreal III, 74, of River Forest, who died on Dec. 26, 2021. Born on October 8, 1947, he went all-in on his interests and passions. He demonstrated this gift throughout his life. He entered adulthood in a quintessentially “Sixties” fashion — he became a musician and a pool player living in California. He needed a fake ID when they played in Las Vegas. He traveled the Western states with his drums and the band. He always said music was his passion. Unfortunately, he needed to eat so he decided to grow up. He returned to California and settled into real estate, enduring both the boom and bust of this industry.
He managed apartments in California, built apartments in Casper, Wyoming and launched a community with a Jack Nicklaus golf course and a Martina Navratilova tennis club in Yuma, Arizona. Although never a golfer, he worked continuously at his tennis game and made traveling to his ongoing projects easier by becoming an instrument-rated pilot. But it was music that nurtured his soul.
In the 1990s, he became a paralegal and eventually landed at BP. He enjoyed the work but could not settle for the paralegal half-measure; he returned to school and earned his JD at the youthful age of 58. As a newly minted attorney with a background in real estate, he was transferred to Chicago to close real estate deals. That’s where he met his wife, Marsha.
After he retired from BP, he changed course and developed into a dedicated Social Security Disability attorney. He became a passionate advocate for the people he represented. He finished his last case in November 2021.
His latest endeavor revolved around woodworking. He would spend days in the garage where he designed a workshop, handcrafting desks, tables, and an entire kitchen of cabinets for the people he loved.
Austin is survived by his wife, Marsha Thomas; his sisters, Kim Pearson and Monique Milner; his sons, Michael Murphy and Mathew Holton, and stepchildren, Katharine Hildreth, Thomas Hildreth, Anne Hildreth and Robert E. Hildreth. He is also survived by grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, Austin J. McGreal Jr. and Marilyn McGreal (nee Morrison) predeceased him.
A Celebration of Life for Austin will be held in the spring. Further information will be posted.