Service at heart of longtime employee

A quilt comprised of dozens of T-shirts became one of Jim Aydt's most prized possessions in recent months.

The quilt showcases years of memories, including shirts from Northern Illinois University, where the 40-year Elgin resident, 66, and his wife, Mary, first met, T-shirts from the Elgin schools their three sons attended and bits of a 2005 White Sox shirt, proclaiming them pennant champions.

His wife surprised him with the quilt in June to commemorate their 40th wedding anniversary and it rarely left his side in his final days.

Aydt, who doctors gave nine weeks to live after diagnosing him with kidney cancer, died on Thanksgiving.

He would have become a first-time grandfather on Christmas Day, when his daughter-in-law Alicia is scheduled to give birth.

"Jim was devastated he couldn't see that baby and hold him," Mary said. "He was a good father and I think he would have been an outstanding grandpa and that truly is a big loss to our entire family."

Aydt was the first personnel director in Elgin's history. He assumed the post after working as assistant city manager and later as interim city manager for six months.

After Elgin, Aydt became personnel director in Skokie, a post he held for 12 years.

He completed his city government career in 2004 with Hoffman Estates, retiring after six years as its human resources director.

Sports, particularly baseball, played a huge role in Aydt's life. As a child, he worked as an usher at Comiskey Park and later introduced his sons to the game. The foursome often arranged baseball-themed trips.

At St. Thomas More Church, he served as a go-between for the parish and contractor when the church built an addition, helped organize charity Bingo and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He also was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic School's board of trustees.

Aydt, an usher for the Kane County Cougars, loved to read and vacation with his wife. Aydt is survived by his wife, his three sons Michael of South Elgin, Stephen (Alicia) of Park Ridge and Peter of Algonquin. Services will be held 11 a.m. today at St. Thomas More Church, 215 Thomas More Drive, Elgin. Interment will be private.