Alvin (Al) Golin, the man who founded what has become one of the world's largest public relations agencies with a now-famous cold call more than 60 years ago, passed away peacefully April 8 at his second home in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 87 and had never retired, continuing to provide counsel to his namesake firm even in his final weeks. Al is survived by June Golin (nee Kerns), his wife of more than 55 years; their three children: Barry Golin (Gemma Brownhill), Karen Golin and Ellen Resnick (David Resnick); six grandchildren: Sam, Alex, Jackson, Kyle, Cydney and Marlena; and one great-grandson, Thor. In 1956, after several years working in the publicity department of MGM Studios, Al Joined Max Cooper & Associates, a small Chicago PR agency, as a junior partner. Less than a year later, Al placed a cold call to McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, and signed Kroc and McDonald's to a $500-a-month retainer. Soon after, the agency was renamed Cooper, Burns & Golin. Partnering with Kroc and McDonald's, Al established the concept of a "trust bank," based on the belief that companies who established a meaningful presence in the communities they serve would have the support of those communities in good times and in bad. Today, McDonald's awards the franchisee that does the most good in the community with the annual Al Golin Trust Bank Award. Drawing on the spirit of the trust bank, Al had a hand in creating or expanding programs that have become famous for both McDonald's and Golin - including Ronald McDonald House Charities¿, the McDonald's All-American High School Basketball Game¿ and The McDonald's All-American High School Band. All of these programs derived from one of Al's most cherished philosophies, which he called, "Fix it before it breaks" - developing programs and taking actions when times are good to stave off the inevitable down times. The agency also celebrates "Al's Day" each June, when employees unite and volunteer to give back to their communities, office-by-office. Over time, Al's firm evolved to become Golin Communications, then Golin/Harris International and now simply Golin -- an agency that today of more than 1,200 employees in more than 50 offices worldwide. McDonald's has remained a client for 60 years, and other clients include some of the world's best-known brands, including Walmart, Unilever, Nintendo, Texas Instruments and many others. As a respected public relations legend, Al received abundant industry recognition, including lifetime achievement awards from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Publicity Club of Chicago and Inside PR magazine, the PRSA Gold Anvil Award and the Arthur W. Page Society Hall of Fame Award for "Career Achievements and Outstanding Contributions to the Profession." Al was the recipient of the Institute for Public Relations' Lifetime Achievement Alexander Hamilton Medal in 2009 and Roosevelt University's Distinguished Service Award in 2005. He also served for 30 years on the Board of Directors for the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and for 16 years on the Board of Trustees for Roosevelt University in Chicago, the school from which he graduated in 1950. Al was named one of the 100 Most Influential Public Relations People of the 20th Century by PR Week, served as a PRSA Fellow and received honorary doctorate degrees from DePaul University and Roosevelt University. In 2014, Al was inducted into the PR Week Hall of Fame. A memorial service will be held in Al's honor in Chicago at a date to be determined. Details can be found at www.golin.com. In lieu of flowers, the Golin family has asked that donations be made in Al's name to Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Off the Street Club, the Goodman Theatre or Roosevelt University.