Prominent attorney's death shocks community

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BY MARISA KWIATKOWSKI
mkwiatkowski@nwitimes.com
219.662.5333 | Thursday, May 01, 2008 | (10 comment(s))

CROWN POINT | Lake County court officials mourned Wednesday the death of defense attorney Garry Weiss.

Weiss, 53, was one of four people who died Tuesday night in a three-vehicle crash at the Merrillville-Winfield border of 101st Avenue and Randolph Street.

The Crown Point resident's unexpected death shook the region's legal community.

Weiss was a practicing attorney for more than 25 years. He also was the chief public defender for Lake Superior Court Judge Jesse Villalpando since 2002.

"He was a first-class attorney in every respect," Villalpando said. "Over the years he became a very close and personal friend. His tragic death is a huge loss to not only our court but to me personally."

Villalpando said he will remember Weiss' "easy smile" and "unpretentious, down-to-earth" nature.

Weiss was well-known for his sense of humor and penchant for light-hearted pranks.

"Garry's charm and wit will always be remembered," Lake Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez said. "He was always respectful and courteous to the bench and his follow attorneys. Garry was truly a professional and a great trial attorney. He will be noticeably missed."

Weiss' death came only one day after the end of his client Carlton Davis Jr.'s six-day trial for dogfighting charges. Davis was convicted of 22 of the 26 counts he was charged with, relating to hosting dogfights out of his Calumet Township home.

"(Weiss) was a true gentleman any time that I dealt with him," said Deputy Prosecutor Mark Watson, who tried the Davis case. "I thought he was an excellent lawyer, and I genuinely had a lot of respect for him. I didn't know him as well as I wished I did."

Attorney Jennifer Campbell said Weiss' death is akin to the loss of a family member. The two worked in the same Merrillville law office and knew each other for five years.

"It's hard to put into words," she said. "He was the best person I know. He was a testament to what an attorney should be and what a good person should be."

Weiss was a mentor in and out of the courtroom, officials said.

Lake County Bar Association President Scott Yahne said Weiss helped him navigate the legal world when he was starting out.

"He was always somebody who was extremely helpful and willing to lend a hand, particularly for someone who was starting out at the time," Yahne said.

Outside the courtroom, Weiss was active in Temple Israel in Gary's Miller neighborhood and the Lakes of Four Seasons community.

Rabbi Stanley Halpern said Weiss was on the temple's board of directors and a Sunday school teacher for eight to 10 years.

Weiss was an ideal teacher, Halpern said. The two men knew each other for 20 years.

"He believed in justice, in doing what is right," Halpern said. "And he instilled in the students he taught that same love ... the healing of the world."

Halpern said the funeral will be Friday, then there will be a traditional Jewish service for three nights at the family's home Saturday through Monday.

Weiss leaves behind a wife, Cindy, and a son and daughter.

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former student wrote on May 1, 2008 7:19 PM:

" I have known the Weiss family for many years going to the same Temple. He was a wonderful teacher and the best Sundays that I can ever remember. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family as well as the families of the other victims. "

Januszewski Tate wrote on May 1, 2008 5:42 PM:

" Garry has done so much for our family. My thoughts and prayers goes out to his family and friends. Garry was a good Lawyer. We will miss him. Our old family lawyer had retired. We were so happy to have found Garry. "

Alyssa Millard wrote on May 1, 2008 5:11 PM:

" I want to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Garry Weiss and his staff. Garry believed in me when no one else did. He helped me in so many aspects of my life. He encouraged me and I would not be who I am if it weren't for him. With him he took my eternal gratitude and respect. Thank you Garry. You will never be forgotten. "

vicki wrote on May 1, 2008 1:07 PM:

" to the entire family of garry weiss: I knew garry since high school. I thought the world of gar: always did-always will. He was one of the best fathers I have ever known and worshiped his children. garry was kind to me and my family. he is an individual i will never forget. I only can offer the family of garry weiss my SINCERE condolences. know that he is with GOD now. "

vicki wrote on May 1, 2008 12:37 PM:

" my sympathy goes out to Garry's entire family. I knew Garry since high school; Garry was a wonderful person who will be missed. To his entire family: My heartfelt sympathy. Men like Garry are rare: he worshipped his children and was a father to them I admired. He helped me with my children when they got in trouble; he was a kind and thoughtful friend who will be missed much. "

A loss to the community wrote on May 1, 2008 10:06 AM:

" What a tremendous loss, he was a very kind and caring man. My deepest sympathy goes to his family. Rest in Peace. "

At a loss for words....... wrote on May 1, 2008 9:32 AM:

" Garry gave so much to others and to the community. This is truly a tradegy. My heart, thoughts and prayers goes to the Weiss family as well as the other the families. "

Former Defendant wrote on May 1, 2008 9:17 AM:

" Garry was a different kind of attorney who one could appreciate. He was upfront with costs and did not gouge his customers when they were most vulnerable. And he seemed to be a nice guy. Unusual indeed. "

Riccardi wrote on May 1, 2008 6:18 AM:

" Gary will be sorely missed, by the community and his customers that he served both with pride and dignity "

Sad doesnt even begin to explain it... wrote on May 1, 2008 12:25 AM:

" Deepest sympathy to the Weiss family, and the families of the other victims, as well. "

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