I talked with Gary Hynes, Kevin's younger brother and NTE Class of 1978. Kevin passed away last Sunday night, January 5th (2025). He lived life passionately and as details for his Memorial Servcie are provided from Gary, I will update. Tentatively scheduled in March.
I first knew Kev as a Freshman in High School. He came over from Saint Faith Hope and Charity, and I came from Carleton Washburne. There was no indiation that we would have anything in common, except:
We were both on the Frosh B Footbal Squad- he was halfback and I was wide receiver. Since we lived close to each other, we would walk home together. He had a sense of humor that was a stitch and beyond. I never knew how we made it home in time as we were laughing and in hsyterics, most of the way. Well,
One game he had a fabulous run for a touchdown (probably 47 yard touchdown run). It was called back because of a holding penatly. Kevin was not too happy and developed, shall we say, the Kevin Whine. I explained to Kev that these things happen. However, Kev ran for 10 touchdowns that year and 9 were called back for varous penalties. So, Kev made the most expressive and vocal points to me- and certainly was not willing to hold anthing back-- including that the ice water was never, ever cold, and Joe never had the right jock strap for him.
One of the best memories was during our time together on the indoor track team-do you remember the track down in the basement? We had a huge meet with our rival Evanston. We are all getting into our racing blocks for the sprint race, when out of nowhere, Kev decides to do his best Joe Simon imitation- I've been down one time, and I've been down two times, and I'm drownin' , drownn' in the SEA of Luhh-vvvv!
Needless to say- everyone was cracking up- so much so that the race was delayed. And I am sure Coach Mike Baker had a few choice workds like- we appreciate your rendition of Joe Simon, Kevin- but this not the time nor place!!
Sorry to hear about Kevin. We went to Faith, Hope and Charity and New Trier together. While Kevin and I were not close, he had a very unique sense of humor. He was one of a kind. What did he pass away from?
I remember Kevin from FHC. I remember at the 8th grade graduation dance, he had no fear to ask the tall girl to dance. Way to go Kevin, you have no idea what that meant to me... rest easy my friend....❤️
He and I became good friends as freshman on the NTE wrestling team. Practices were rough and Kevin was always looking at ways to inject fun. He even talked coach K into playing music at practice. He was a fierce competitor and did not take losing well. After one hard fought loss, he showed up the following Monday with his arm in a cast. He claimed his brother was ribbing him about the loss, Kev got irritated, punched his brother, and broke his wrist in the process!
Our senior year he recruited me to the track team. As in wrestling, he injected fun into the mundane. When told to run on the nearby beach to build up our ankles he organized a rock skipping contest. Another time, we were told to run from NTE to NTW to have practice, Kevin decided hitchhiking was a good alternative to running. The coach did not find this so humorous and made us run relays with shot puts! My favorite Kevin moment was when he talked about 1/2 the guys on the track team to flip the bird in our team picture. This photo actually made its way into Echoes!
After high school, I lost contact with Kevin, but often thought of the fun times and his qualities as both a teammate and friend.
Paula McLeod
Paula McLeod
Paula McLeod
Collyer Smith
I talked with Gary Hynes, Kevin's younger brother and NTE Class of 1978. Kevin passed away last Sunday night, January 5th (2025). He lived life passionately and as details for his Memorial Servcie are provided from Gary, I will update. Tentatively scheduled in March.
I first knew Kev as a Freshman in High School. He came over from Saint Faith Hope and Charity, and I came from Carleton Washburne. There was no indiation that we would have anything in common, except:
We were both on the Frosh B Footbal Squad- he was halfback and I was wide receiver. Since we lived close to each other, we would walk home together. He had a sense of humor that was a stitch and beyond. I never knew how we made it home in time as we were laughing and in hsyterics, most of the way. Well,
One game he had a fabulous run for a touchdown (probably 47 yard touchdown run). It was called back because of a holding penatly. Kevin was not too happy and developed, shall we say, the Kevin Whine. I explained to Kev that these things happen. However, Kev ran for 10 touchdowns that year and 9 were called back for varous penalties. So, Kev made the most expressive and vocal points to me- and certainly was not willing to hold anthing back-- including that the ice water was never, ever cold, and Joe never had the right jock strap for him.
One of the best memories was during our time together on the indoor track team-do you remember the track down in the basement? We had a huge meet with our rival Evanston. We are all getting into our racing blocks for the sprint race, when out of nowhere, Kev decides to do his best Joe Simon imitation- I've been down one time, and I've been down two times, and I'm drownin' , drownn' in the SEA of Luhh-vvvv!
Needless to say- everyone was cracking up- so much so that the race was delayed. And I am sure Coach Mike Baker had a few choice workds like- we appreciate your rendition of Joe Simon, Kevin- but this not the time nor place!!
I'm gonna miss you pallie- Col
Sean Kelley
Sorry to hear about Kevin. We went to Faith, Hope and Charity and New Trier together. While Kevin and I were not close, he had a very unique sense of humor. He was one of a kind. What did he pass away from?
Julie Pacini (Retzinger)
I remember Kevin from FHC. I remember at the 8th grade graduation dance, he had no fear to ask the tall girl to dance. Way to go Kevin, you have no idea what that meant to me... rest easy my friend....❤️
Michael Burns Russell
I was saddened to hear of Kevin's passing.
He and I became good friends as freshman on the NTE wrestling team. Practices were rough and Kevin was always looking at ways to inject fun. He even talked coach K into playing music at practice. He was a fierce competitor and did not take losing well. After one hard fought loss, he showed up the following Monday with his arm in a cast. He claimed his brother was ribbing him about the loss, Kev got irritated, punched his brother, and broke his wrist in the process!
Our senior year he recruited me to the track team. As in wrestling, he injected fun into the mundane. When told to run on the nearby beach to build up our ankles he organized a rock skipping contest. Another time, we were told to run from NTE to NTW to have practice, Kevin decided hitchhiking was a good alternative to running. The coach did not find this so humorous and made us run relays with shot puts! My favorite Kevin moment was when he talked about 1/2 the guys on the track team to flip the bird in our team picture. This photo actually made its way into Echoes!
After high school, I lost contact with Kevin, but often thought of the fun times and his qualities as both a teammate and friend.
He will be missed by many!
Matt Houser