Last year the Loon Lake Park District Association lost a truly great supporter, advocate and leader. President of the LLPDA for 27 years, Marv Cole succumbed to a brief illness on a bright, warm, early September day. It was a day like those that he enjoyed the most at Loon Lake. A day where he could rake up his pine needles in his yard or, if there wasn’t anything more pressing, just work on keeping his tan by sitting down at the beach.

Marv had led the LLPDA for as long as I had known him. He was tireless in his devotion to the work of the Park District. Marv was a man of passion and commitment. He would fully commit to any activity that he undertook. It was not in him to do any job half heartedly, and he was a man who could get things done. Marv always said that his efforts for the Association were so that everyone could enjoy the beauty and serenity that Loon Lake offers. He was especially concerned that the kids-the next generation of “Loon Lakers”- would be able to enjoy the same or even better quality of the lake than their fore-fathers.

Marv was a person that was a friend to all. He knew everyone by name. He would greet everyone with a broad grin and a shake of the hand, or kiss on the cheek (depending on your gender). He seemed tireless in whatever he did. Over the years I am certain that Marv dedicated thousands of hours to the many Park District activities – from social gatherings, to fishing derbies for children and most recently supervising the removal of Milfoil from our lake.

Every year Marv would call for nominations for Officers for the Park District including the presidency. Every year the people of the Park District asked Marv to stay on. Marv was not a man who could say no.

Marv certainly did not work alone but he had an ability to get others involved. His enthusiasm was contagious. He was a true leader. This was most evident in his work for the Town of Chester in converting the old High School into a Municipal Center. Many people, both within and outside of the Park District, thought that to tear-down the school was a terrible waste. Marv agreed and he organized an effort to convert the school to what it is today. Again this was done with the help of many but would it have been a reality without Marv?

I am very confident that Rob and the other Officers and Board Members of the Park District will do a fine job in taking the Park District to new heights. But, I think we can all agree that all in the Park District have lost a great friend. We- all the people of the Loon Lake Park District, not just the members, but all who live and vacation here- owe Marv and Beth Cole a real dept of gratitude for keeping the LLPDA going through many years that it could have fallen by the wayside. His true legacy is that he left us a vehicle to maintain the quality of the area and of the way of life we shall enjoy into the future.

We should not be overly saddened however because I am certain that Marv is now in a place where the sun always shines so he can keep his tan, the pine needles are all very neatly arranged and there are many new challenging causes for Marv to take up and lead. He is probably looking for volunteers to help him right now.

Don Martin