Gates W. Clancy, 91, a prominent Kane County attorney whose Geneva and Chicago offices paved the way for numerous judicial careers, died Sunday, Jan. 21, in his Geneva home. Mr. Clancy practiced law for more than 55 years. Under his direction, five colleagues went on to serve on the bench, including recently retired Supreme Court Justice John Nickels. Known as a trial lawyer’s lawyer, Mr. Clancy is remembered for his intelligence, capability and tenacity. Educated at Purdue University and John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Mr. Clancy specialized in civil jury law. “A trial with Gates Clancy came to be viewed as a professional badge of honor, as much for the survival as for the experience,” family members said. “He loved animals and always had a dog, strays that he picked up from the local vet,” said his son, Wendell. Mr. Clancy was a member of St. Charles Country Club and was an original member of the Anvil Club in West Dundee. He also held memberships in the Kane County Bar, Chicago Bar and Illinois State Bar. Other survivors include four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Millicent Jones. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in First Congregational Church of Geneva, 327 Hamilton St., Geneva.
