Gerald D. Fines

My sincere condolences to the family. I first met Judge Fines during his last holding of the position of U.S. Attorney for Central District of Illinois, as I then worked as a security officer at the federal courthouse. Later when he was appointed Bankruptcy Judge, I was a Deputy employed with the U.S. Marshals Service. I had intermittent contact with him, until I was assigned the position of Judicial Security Inspector in 2002 for the district. It was then I routinely met with Judge Fines and his staff regarding any security concerns. During my visits he was always be willing to sit down and discuss any concerns, but mostly we talked about the past and any news regarding the Central District of Illinois. He would tell me the stories of Judge Harlington Wood Jr, whom I also knew, and working at the DOJ. I enjoyed and looked forward to my visits and conversations, how he took the time to sit with me and was always personable, relaxing, and us recalling the days of our past. He is and will be sincerely missed.

Another great classmate has left us. What a super career he had. RIP Jerry.

I had the privilege to work for Judge Fines from 2007 until his retirement. Words cannot express the immense respect I have for him. Judge Fines had a passion for life and his family that cannot be described. Whether telling a story from his childhood or talking about his grandchildren there was a light in his eyes that shined so bright. He was an amazing, kind, and compassionate man that could also let you know you were out of line if necessary. He cared for his staff as much as we cared for him. My condolences to Olga and his family. The world has lost one of the best there was.

My sincere condolences to Judge Fines family. We were all blessed to known him. The Danville Bankruptcy team sure missed him when he retired. He was not only a hard working and fair judge, he was a great man. We were both big St. Louis Cardinals fans and would often talk about the team and him going to games with his son. I was lucky enough to attend the 2011 World Series game in St. Louis and watch game 6 of the series. The next day he called me to talk about the game. He said, "Hello this is Jerry". I am thinking ..I don't know any Jerry's. Then it hit me..it was Judge Fines.We both grew up with horse's. He told me when he lived in DC that one of the President's asked to borrow his horse to ride in a parade. He was a pleasure to talk to and I considered him my friend. May God bless his family. Rest in Heavenly peace Judge. What a wonderful life you lived!

My heartfelt condolences to Judge Fines’ family and friends. I first had the privilege of appearing before Judge Fines in 1991 as an attorney for the U.S. Trustee and continued up through his retirement from the bench. A sad day for all in the Danville division. I particularly admired his wit and sense of humor, and his loyalty to his staff in Danville. They were all so kind and courteous following his lead. Judge Fines was even tempered and respectful which is not always an easy task when an attorney gets ridiculously out of line. I recall, with a smile, one extremely rare occasion when Judge Fines had to get stern in the courtroom, but he still did it with tact, and a polite recommendation that the attorney take a few courses in ethics! I agree with so many of the comments already made. You all have perfectly described the man and Judge I was happy to have known. May he rest in peace.

I was saddened to hear of Judge Fines' passing. For many years, he came down to the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois to help with the caseload. I had the opportunity to appear before him a number of times and he always was prepared, courteous, and genuinely interested in the matters before him. I remember in particular one case that I argued before Judge Fines in 2002 that involved some complex issues related to the Uniform Commercial Code and security interests in railroad cars. At hearing, Judge Fines not only understood the complicated facts in the case, but engaged both of the arguing attorneys in an in-depth discussion about a footnote in one of the cited precedents! His detailed ruling in the case resulted in a published opinion that continues to be cited on the subject of collateral description in security agreements. Judge Fines was a talented judge and it was a privilege to have the opportunity to appear before him. He will be missed and remain of blessed memory.

I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Judge Fines. He was one of the first Judge's I had the pleasure of serving as a courtroom deputy for when he visited us in the Southern Illinois division. We have all missed him greatly since his retirement. My condolences to the whole family.

I am very sorry for the loss of a truly great man. I had the privilege of working for and with the Judge for 26 years in the Court in Danville. Not only was he a top notch Judge, he was an all around wonderful person. Judge Fines always had the backs of everyone who worked in the Court. There is no way I could ever thank him enough for the career opportunity that he made possible for me. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was more than a boss. He was my friend.

I worked in the Federal Building as a Telecom Specialist for many years and I remember Gerald Fines as being a very kind and nice person to know

Jerry was the assistant to AA General Harlington Wood, U S Justice Department when I met him, as I was U S Secret Service in Washington, D. C. Between the three of us we coordinated security for many events including the Democratic and Republican Conventions in Miami, FL during the Vietnam era. Demonstrations were many,, but I must tell you how important it was to be working directly with the DOJ and the AG's Office. Jerry was very personable and I always felt very fortunate to both know him as a great friend and to work with him. It is difficult to describe what a wonderful, caring, talented person Jerry was through all the years working with him and our friendship up until this date. We have lost a true patriot and friend, but he is now in a much better place and no longer suffering. God Bless Olya and his family as you must be proud.

I am very sorry to hear the news. What a gentlemen and just a really great guy. God bless.

Judge Fines always was well prepared and made the attorneys comfortable, but on their toes with respect the matter before the Court. He was familiar with complex cases as well as the routine. He is missed as a Judge and personal friend. God Bless!

Gerald was my Mom's ( Hellene Fines Soloducha) first cousin - their fathers were brothers. I met Gerald last when I was about 13. He helped me and my sister get on a horse- sweet memory! My mom always referred to Gerald as Shorty. From the Kansas City family- our sincere condolences. Sophie, Rose, Bob and Uncle Bill's children

Gerry is/was a wonderful human being, wonderful at what he did, with a few wonderfully human imperfections. In 1983, he hired me out of the Department of Justice--moving here was so good for myself and our family. Gerry treated the people in the Office--and the public--with great consideration, respect and fairness, and we all wanted to follow his lead and simply do what would be right. Gerry had many wonderful stories, often about people who took themselves too seriously, and we had so many wonderful discussions. I remember and can (and often do) repeat so much of what he said. His impact on me, on others: enormously helpful. I am so much better for having worked with him and listened to him, and I tried to follow his example when I too became United States Attorney (2010-2016). I will hold him dear to my heart as long as I live. Gerry: well done, my friend, your lived your life so well.

Jerry hired me as his first assistant US Attorney in January 1978. He welcomed me and my family to Springfield as we moved there, and that began a lifelong friendship that continued unti his death. I agree with everything posted by Ellen Schanzle-Haskins as to what he was like as the US attorney. He was a wise and compassionate mentor to us all. I continued to stay in touch with Jerry after moving from Springfield in February 1981. I considered him to be one of my closest and dearest friends for the rest of his life. When I learned of the illness which eventually took his life, I immediately flew to Springfield and visited him for about a week on June 2021. He and his lovely wife Olga welcomed me in their home and Jerry and I spent many hours reminiscing about our time together and about life in general. He spoke of his Christian faith and his belief in the eternal life that would follow. He knew he was dying but was not afraid to do so because of his faith. He spoke of his love of his family and all his friends and colleagues. After I returned home, we spoke on the phone nearly every week up until the day before he died. We will all miss him greatly but we’re all blessed to have him as our friend for all of those years. Rest In Peace my friend.

Where to begin? It is difficult to describe the immense impact that Jerry Fines has had on our legal careers and the role he has played in shaping our lives. We were new lawyers, fresh from the hallowed halls of law school when Jerry tapped first Ellen, and the following year, Tom, to join his staff and the federal family at the US Attorney's Office. Suddenly, we were in the courtroom, taking cases to jury trial and learning some of life's most important lessons from Jerry -- important in the courtroom but equally as important in life. Jerry taught us to "make a decision, do not second guess yourself and move forward". He taught us that if it proved to be the wrong decision, apologize if you should. learn from it but let it go. He taught us to honor our country and our role in ensuring justice as federal prosecutors. As an example of his commitment to justice, US Attorney Fines not only issued press releases when an individual was indicted by a grand jury, he also insisted on the issuing of a press release when a grand jury voted not to indict. As grand jury proceedings are secret, US Attorney Fines did not have an obligation to tell the public that someone was under investigation but the grand jury had declined to bring charges-- but he did, because it was the fair thing to do. He was, in all things, solid and fair and professional. Just as he had been mentored by his closest friend Judge Harlington Wood, he was an unwavering mentor to both of us, and his friendship and his love of family and friends will never be forgotten. Our most heartfelt condolences, Attorneys Tom and Ellen Schanzle-Haskins are secret