Evanston resident and activist Lonnie Wilson remembers his cousin Hecky Powell.

Hecky, whose Hecky's Barbecue is renowned in Evanston and beyond, was a restaurant owner, philanthropist, activist, and all-around Evanston booster. He passed away from Covid-19 this morning.

"Hecky's like a penny that got shined up and just took off. He made it alright for a street man to go into business and succeed, after we see Hecky do it."