$150.00 - Luxembourg American Heritage Information Center

Section duties, he was also President of the Luxembourg Singing Society. In 1956, upon the
retirement of Al Ammon, Nic Colling was elected as President of Section 3, a post he held until
1965. This is the only known instance of one member holding the presidencies of two Sections.
Upon coming to the United States, Nic became
involved in the food preparation business. He was
employed by the Hillman's Stop and Shop concern,
and the Langford and Cooney Catering Company.
He is a past member of the Chefs International Organization,
Chefs de Cuisine and the Luxembourg Independent
Club.
In 1965, he was nominated by Consul General
Joseph J. Witry, for the post of Vice-Consul of
Luxembourg. On February 1,1968, he was appointed
Consul of Luxembourg, a post he held until 1976,
when Nic was named Consul General. On December
31, 1985, Nicholas Colling retired from his Consular
duties.
For his efforts on behalf of the Luxembourg
Section 3's John M. Trevelter, Consul
General of Luxembourg, 1954-1963.
government, Nic Colling has been thrice decorated.
His decorations are: 1. Chevelier, Order of Merit
2. Medal of the Oak Leaf Crown 3. Order of Merit,
Officer of the Grand Duke Adolph of Nassau. Nic
presently lives in Park Ridge. Both his wife and his daughter, Theresa Olinger, passed away in the
early 1980's.
The 1950's and 1960's were successful ones for the Section. The Schobermesse continued to
be well-attended. In 1957, Nic Colling was Section President and John Jung was Schobermesse
Chairman. The Schobermesse was held at the Luxembourg
Gardens on September 1 and 2. The program
book contained articles on the late Bishop of Luxembourg
and one of its own members, Melvin Thillens.
Melvin Thillens (married to Doris Marmey) was
born in Chicago in 1914, one of four sons born to John
and Therese Thillens. His father immigrated to this
country from Luxembourg in the 1890's and started a
greenhouse business on Peterson Avenue, near Damen.
In 1933, Mel was working as a bank clerk on the
northside when the Depression closed the bank.
Dismissed from his position, Mel sought work at a
currency exchange, where, shortly after he began
working, he thwarted five bandits. After this episode,
the owner of currency exchange sold the business to
Melvin Thillens, Sr.
Mel. From this beginning, Thillens Checkcashiers
was born.
From the successes Mel enjoyed from his business
enterprises, he started a little league program for boys. Thillens Stadium cost $75,000.00 when
it was built in 1939 and is a beautiful setting for Little Leaguers to display their talents.
In 1986, in recognition of his contributions to Section 3, the Luxembourg Community of
greater Chicago and to the Luxembourg government, Mel was named a Chevelier of the Order of
Merit by H.R.H. Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
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