Obituary
Aaron D. Cushman, a pioneer of modern public relations, passed away on April 17, 2021 in Highland Park. He was 96. He was born in Chicago on August 29, 1924.
Mr. Cushman was a decorated World War II combat pilot who also served during the Korean War with the Strategic Air Command. After the war years he founded Aaron D. Cushman and Associates in 1952 in Chicago. When the firm was founded, Mr. Cushman represented predominately local clients, many in the entertainment field, through which he worked with stars such as the Three Stooges, Milton Berle, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Gene Autry, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Sarah Vaughan. He would sit on one side of a desk in his small office and type out press releases, then turn the typewriter around, where he wife Doris sat opposite him and would put them in finished form for him to make copies and run them to the newspapers and radio stations. His firm grew to be one of the largest independent agencies in the nation, with additional offices in New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Omaha, Nebraska. Among the firm's client's were a broad section of Fortune 500 companies, including Motorola, Con Agra, Chrysler, Marriott Hotels, Century 21 Real Estate, Philip Morris USA, RGA Reinsurance, and Warner Lambert Phamaceuticals. The Cushman agency also represented a number of foreign governments for tourism, including Mexico, Canada, Sweden, Singapore, Cayman Islands and South Korea. Other tourism accounts included scores of resort and hotel properties, as well as Sandals Resorts, Beaches, and the American Orient Express. Throughout his career, his firm won many local and national awards. Mr. Cushman held a variety of top positions in local and national public relations organizations. He was past president of the Publicity Club of Chicago, a member of the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Executive Committee, a past president of the Chicago Chapter of the Counselors Academy, president of PRDI (Public Relations Organization International), and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Board of Directors for 10 years. He was honored by many organizations for his work. In 1996 the International Hospitality Marketing Association named him Man of the Year. He was named a Marco Polo by SATW, that organizations highest award. He received Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the Chicago Chapter of PRSA and the Florida Chapter of PRSA. Mr. Cushman was a published author, having written "A Passion for Winning" in 2004 followed by "Public Relations: Impact on the World" and scores of articles on the relationship of public relations and marketing. An Avid sportsman, who played semi-pro softball while at the University of Illinois after World War II. Mr. Cushman's firm served as the public relations and marketing agency for the Chicago White Sox from 1959 to 1975. In 1975 he became an owner of the team in partnership with Bill Veeck. He was the beloved husband and best friend of the late Doris for 71 wonderful years; loving father of Gary Cushman, Amy Wilton (Tom Lichamer) and Pamela Cushman (Randy Miller); cherished Grandpa Luke (Lindsey) Cushman, Taylor (Ted) Gamache, Kiely Cushman, Alison Hahn, Joey (Allison) Hahn, Kimberly (Justin) Piacenza, Tyler Hahn, Sabrina (John) Egan, AJ (JC) Bonassin and the late Troy Wilton; adored Great Grandpa of Emery Gamache, Joe, Bradyn and Addison Piacenza and Eva, Bode, Mitzi, Adam and Frankie Hahn, Finn Egan and Mila Cushman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Private graveside service. Please attend via livestream, Tuesday 10:00 AM. For the link to view the service and to leave condolences: Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, (847) 255-3520 or www.shalom2.com.