DON DEMARCO

Nearly twenty years after the first African-American family moved into Park Forest, Assistant Village Manager for Community Relations Don DeMarco prepared a groundbreaking report on how the village could sustain and support integration.

In 1971, DeMarco was hired by then Village Manager Bob Pierce in an effort to develop programs that would identify tactics and strategies that support integration, and how to combat housing discrimination fostered by real estate practices of the day in seeking to create a dual housing market.

His 1977 report, "Integration in Housing: A Plan for Racial Diversity," quickly led to an extensive guide on housing market outreach for integrated communities, "Affirmative Marketing Handbook" A Guide to Integrated Housing."Both documents are in the Archives of the Park Forest Historical Society.

Since the Integration Maintenance program was controversial, Don worked outside the village developing public and private allies on behalf of Park Forest; a move that proved beneficial to the village's reputation.

DeMarco also managed the Salvation Army program and was involved in helping build a diverse workforce for the village, collaborating in numerous regional and national programs to show the benefits of diverse communities. He still refers to Park Forest as "God's Town."

 

LARRY LUBERTOZZI                                      

Larry and Mary Lubertozzi moved to Park Forest in 1968 and began a decades-long history of involvement with the village and the south suburbs until Larry's death in 2015.

A psychotherapist and counselor by profession, he was an early supporter of Thorn Creek Woods and founding member of the Friends of Thorn Creek Woods. Larry took part in rallies, petition drives and walks in the woods with elected officials soliciting their support. A volunteer at the Nature Center, he was a member of the Sauk-Calumet Sierra Club and Thorn Creek Audubon Society.

Joining the Park Forest Art Center shortly after arriving, he served on the Board as President, Art Fair Co-Chair, and Fundraising Chair. For years he volunteered for the Art Fair's early shift helping artists set up booths. An amateur artist himself, he enjoyed creating costumes and decorations for the Beaux Arts Ball.

Larry cared deeply about our democratic process, serving as treasurer in then-State Representative Jim Marzuki's successful election campaign and enjoyed his years of participation in the Park Forest Martini Club, a men's discussion group that focuses on issues of social and economic justice.

 

MARY LUBERTOZZI

Shortly after arriving in Park Forest in 1968, Mary Lubertozzi joined the League of Women Voters of Park Forest, later becoming its President. She was elected to the League state board and now serves as co-president of the LWV of the Park Forest Area, marking 47 years of involvement.

She served three terms as Village Trustee, writing the nomination of Park Forest for the National Civic League All-America City Award in 1977, resulting in a second national award for the village. Mary served on the Equal Employment and Fair Housing review boards, the Mediation Task Force, and as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee in 1991-'92. After moving to Olympia Fields, she was elected a member of the library board, and as President, served as a liaison to the Park Forest Public Library Board.

Mary was active in the Park Forest Art Center and was President when it became the Tall Grass Arts Association. She later was the Association's Executive Director. She also was a member of the Friends of Thorn Creek Woods, Sauk-Calumet Sierra Club, and the Center for Multicultural Communities.

Mary pursued her Master's Degree at Governors State University and worked in senior positions in an array of civically responsible agencies.

KATHY (CARDONA) MCDONOUGH

For more than four decades, Kathy McDonough has established a personal commitment to justice and fairness in housing. She first became involved with the Community Information Center which merged with the South Suburban Housing Center, a pioneer in testing and housing counseling.

As Park Forest's Director of Community Relations and Economic Development from 1982-'87, she contributed to the re-development of Norwood and Park Forest Plazas, and new businesses in Industry Park.

Kathy co-authored the two policy guides which served as the basis for affirmative marketing programming, with many of her recommendations being adopted by surrounding communities. She led the village's efforts in the defense of these policies and practices, which ultimately resulted in a successful Supreme Court decision upholding a municipality's right to enter into and enforce affirmative marketing agreements.

She has continued to work in public service positions, including involvement on the Board of the Cook County Housing Authority and the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. She later was the Executive Director of Turnstone Development Company, a non-profit affordable housing developer with properties in Calumet Park, Richton Park, Riverdale, Orland Hills, and Victory Centre in Park Forest.

 

MICHAEL MCNAMARA

In his thirty-two years on the Park Forest Police Department, Mike McNamara created a record of distinguished service ranging from his "Licensed for Life" program to prevent underage drinking to his efforts to protect every resident he served.

A lecture to Rich East students led to the founding of the "Licensed for Life" program to prevent underage drinking and driving. With Mike as co-director, this free program now has given more than 8,000 classes in some 330 schools for an estimated 222,000 students. The organization has been featured on National Public Radio, ABC, CBS, and WGN-TV.

McNamara served on the Board of the LaRabida Child Advocacy Center and is on the executive board of PROTECT, the National Association to Protect Children with its pro-child, anti-crime agenda. As a police officer, he received and managed multiple enforcement grants that resulted in the strong enforcement of DUI laws.

He took part in the World Fire and Police games for more than 25 years in six countries and is their all-time individual medal winner in Karate. He is the co-founder of the Illinois Boxing and the Illinois Martial Arts Halls of Fame.

 

HERBERT E. TIEDER

Both Herbert and Patricia Tieder are inducted into the Park Forest Hall of Fame mainly for their volunteer service during the early years of Boys Baseball.

As with so many organizations in Park Forest, the Boys Baseball program began from the ground up with interested residents throughout the village serving in volunteer capacities at the height of the 20-year baby boom following the end of World War II. Herbert Tieder, a salesman for Modern Beauty Shop magazine and later publisher of a magazine about manufactured housing, was among those who devoted his spare time to shaping and unifying the fledgling program.

As a leader in the program, Herbert helped organize coaches for the games, coached, and was instrumental in player participation requirements. He insisted that every player attend practice, and each player took part in the games. He instilled a sense of "team" and self-worth, leaving a lasting impression on his players. Herbert enlisted local sports personalities to serve as Grand Marshalls in Opening Day parades.

Later, Herbert organized dances at Westwood Junior High and both he and his wife Patricia would chaperone. Herbert lived in Park Forest until his death in 2009.

 

PATRICIA M. TIEDER

The Boys Baseball program affected the lives of many in Park Forest, and it would not have existed or been as well organized without the efforts of parents like Herbert and Patricia Tieder.

Although Pat, a mother of four including twin girls, worked at the Marshall Field's store in Park Forest, Because there were no local sponsors, she found time to help the Women's Auxilary of Boys Baseball run rummage and bake sales throughout the year to buy uniforms and equipment. During the winter, the women mended and cleaned the heavy cotton uniforms.

Together, the Tieders distributed and collected uniforms at the start and close of each season and supported those who maintained "The Coke Shack."

As parents, they devoted their energies to support the program to ensure each player would have a positive learning experience as well as developing social skills.

Pat has been involved in Park Forest Garden Club for 13 years, serving as President from 2007-'09. She also served two terms as Membership Chair, and as Ways and Means Chair.

Pat has lived in the community for almost 60 years and has been in her current home for 50 years.

 

GRANDE PRAIRIE SINGERS

From its start in 1977 when it was formed by music teacher Sandy Chabot as a community choral group called the Park Forest Singers, the Grande Prairie Singers has become a regional treasure, sharing their passion for singing with their appreciative audiences.

Although based in Park Forest since their inception, the Singers have shared their passion for singing with audiences throughout the world, making concert tours to numerous European countries and representing Illinois in a Papal Audience with Pope John Paul II. The Singers have performed with the Chicago Symphony Chorus and most recently the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.

Because the composition of the Singers reflects the larger south suburban area, in 2002 its name was changed to Grande Prairie Singers as part of the Grand Prairie Choral Arts, a non-profit organization that also includes the Grande Prairie Children's Chorus. As an example of its breadth, 2016's chorus spans an 80-mile area from Shorewood, Illinois to LaPorte, Indiana.

Both Artistic Director Jo Rodenburg, a noted concert artist and currently a voice teacher at DePaul University, and Board President Sue Koelling work closely with Prairie State College in giving performance opportunities to students.

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