Irwin J. Askow died on Feb. 16 in Evanston Hospital in Evanston, Ill. He was born in Chicago on April 2, 1915.

He spent parts of almost every summer from 1948 on in Chilmark. He loved Menemsha sunsets, Windy Gates Beach and all things up-Island.

The son of immigrant bakers, he put himself through the University of Chicago, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1936 and a law degree in 1938. In 1968, he received the Distinguished Service Alumni Award from the university. He practiced law until recently, mostly for the Chicago law firm of Tenney & Bentley.

In 2002, he funded the Irwin Askow Housing Initiative at the University of Chicago Law School, which assists lawyers in offering free legal services in all aspects of affordable housing. In 2004, he received the Roger Balwin Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Civil Liberties Union in recognition of his contributions to civil liberties.

He was a past trustee and village president of Winnetka, where he raised his family. He served as trustee and officer on numerous boards, including the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago, the University Club of Chicago, North Shore Country Day School, and Bennington College.

Irwin was predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Esther, and his daughter, Susan.

His second marriage of 22 years to Elizabeth Lilienfield ended in divorce in 2002.

Survivors include his children, Daniel Askow of Chicago, Ill., and Catherine Thompson of Lake Forest, Ill., a past Chilmark library director from 1988 to 2006; and his grandsons, Nathan and Andrew.

He loved baking bread, reading and discussing literature, gardening, bridge, symphony, art and reading.

Funeral arrangements are private. A memorial service will be scheduled in the future at a time and location to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the American Civil Liberties Union, or a charity of choice.