WMIA regretfully reports that the Association’s long-time legal counsel, Neil Kuenn, passed away on Thursday, February 13. Kuenn had announced his retirement last fall, and was inducted into the WMIA Hall of Honor shortly thereafter. The photo above is from the evening he was presented with this recognition by WMIA Chairman of the Board Jim Besonen and Vice-Chairman of the Board Pascal Doucet.

“Neil was a part of WMIA for decades, serving the Wood Machinery Importers Association [one of the current Association’s predecessors] and then the association which resulted from the merge of the Importers and Distributors’ Associations,” Besonen said. “He was instrumental in helping to make WMIA the association it is today. We are grateful for his years of advice and, of course, friendship, and he will be sorely missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to Neil’s wife, Karen, their family, and friends.”

Kuenn will also be recognized at WMIA’s Annual Member meeting during the 2020 Woodworking Industry Conference in Isle of Palms, SC, May 5-8.

Visitation will be Friday, February 21, at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Highway, Palos Hills, IL, from 3-9 p.m. The funeral mass will be Saturday, February 22, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 8245 W. 111th Street, Palos Hills, IL, at 11:30 a.m. Internment will be at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.