State Representative 52nd District, 68, of Barrington Hills, died suddenly on Sunday, June 5, 2011. He was born October 30, 1942 in Waukegan. He married Dee Prola Beaubien on August 15, 1964 in Springfield, IL. Together they raised two sons and have five grandchildren. Dee was his wife for 47 years, his best friend of over 50 and the source of much of his inspiration. Rep. Beaubien was an Assistant Republican Leader, serving as State Representative since his appointment on October 22, 1996 to fill a vacancy. He was subsequently re-elected to six additional two-year terms. Prior to becoming a lawmaker, Rep. Beaubien served as a member of the Lake County Board from 1992-96 during which time he also served as Cuba Township Supervisor. Rep. Beaubien enjoyed a successful career in both law and banking, quickly emerging as a community leader through his professional experience and civic involvement. Rep. Beaubien's expertise in law and finance proved a tremendous asset as the House Republicans' chief budget negotiator. In this role, Rep. Beaubien became a leading advocate for fiscal responsibility. In the General Assembly, Rep. Beaubien had many accomplishments, too many to list here, but some of his proudest moments included spearheading initiatives to make seatbelt enforcement a primary reason for law enforcement to stop a vehicle, voting with his convictions in support of the recent Civil Union Bill, passing a bill that provided Municipal Pension Reform, leading the charge to save Round Lake Schools and playing an active role in the Sportsman's Caucus and issues related to hunting and other open space issues. Rep. Beaubien was a confident man who refused to limit his ideals to those of his generation, embracing the timeless values of honor, respect, loyalty and integrity while rejecting its occasional intolerance and prejudice. He knew instinctively that these fundamental rights that he both cherished and demanded were meaningless unless they were enjoyed by all men and women. This principled leadership made it easy for him to support issues and causes that were unpopular within his party including the fundamental rights of women and the gay community. Rep. Beaubien's easy wit, quick smile and unpretentious wisdom made him well liked by even those with whom he disagreed. His was an intelligence without narcissism and his popularity was enhanced by the fact that he did not seek it. If asked why he was one of the few Republican supporters of the Civil Union Bill, he would respond with humility and simplicity that it was simply time and we should all "live our own lives and speak our own truths." His legacy is in his convictions and values. Representative Beaubien was dedicated to community service throughout his life. His civic activities over the years included involvement with the Northwestern University Committee on Athletics and Recreation (1988-1992), the Board of Directors of Buehler YMCA in Palatine, (1971-1993), the Board of Directors at Northwest Community Hospital (1978-1991), a Member of the John Evans Club of Northwestern University (1988-Present), the Barrington Area Community Center Task Force (1993-1995), the Barrington Area Seniors Task Force (1994-1997), the Founders' Committee of the Ela Area YMCA (1994-1997), and a member of the Lake County and Illinois State Bar Associations.Rep. Beaubien received his B.A. degree from Northwestern University in 1964 and his Juris Doctorate from the Northwestern University School of Law in 1967. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Dee; sons, Mark and Bob and spouses Kelly and Mary; grandchildren, Annie, Bobby, Ella, Marco and Luciana. The visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m., Thursday, June 9, 2011, at the Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), Crystal Lake, IL 60014. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 10, 2011, at St. Anne Church,120 Ela St. (at the corner of Franklin St.), Barrington. A reception for close family and friends will follow the Mass. Burial will be private in White Memorial Cemetery, Barrington.

Published in Chicago Tribune on June 7, 2011