Niles Park District Commissioner Collapses, Dies During Parade

By Pam DeFiglio

Dennis O'Donovan was riding in a golf cart ahead of fellow Niles Park District Commissioner William "Bill" Terpinas Sr. in the Niles July Fourth parade Thursday, and didn't at first realize Terpinas had collapsed.

Both O'Donovan, the board president, and Commissioner Ray Czarnik didn't get word until the parade had turned the corner from Ozark Avenue on to Main Street, O'Donovan said, and then they were told Terpinas might have suffered a stroke. The commissioners are driven in individual golf carts in the parade, and Niles Park District Finance Director Tom Elenz was driving Terpinas, O'Donovan said.

People rushed to help Terpinas, O'Donovan said he was told, and a Niles Fire Department ambulance was pulled out of the parade and responded almost immediately, he added. Terpinas was taken to a hospital, but pronounced dead. O'Donovan said he had heard the cause of death was a heart attack. 

"We were in shock," said Czarnik Friday of Terpinas, who had served 16 years, since 1997, on the park board.

"He was involved in so much in the Niles community. I had the ultimate respect for him."

Both men said they were talking and joking with Terpinas about the White Sox and Cubs before the parade stepped off. Czarnik said Terpinas gave some candy to a child watching from the parade sidelines, then passed out.

"He was like a father figure to the park district," Czarnik said. "He had a passion for this.

Joe LoVerde, executive director of the park district, said Terpinas was so dedicated he would stop by almost daily at park offices to chat about the parks, or for an onsite visit of one of the park district's facilities.

About a year ago, Terpinas developed an internal infection after suffering a cut to the elbow, and was hospitalized for several weeks. Once he got out, he regained his health and strength, LoVerde said.

"He was a wonderful guy, with a wonderful wife and family," LoVerde said. In fact, when Terpinas joined the park board in 1997, he paid out-of-pocket for the District's Breakfast with Santa and Lunch with Bunny events in order to keep them affordable for families, LoVerde recalled.

Visitation and Funeral Information

Visitation for Terpinas, 80, will be held Sunday, July 7 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home on Milwaukee Avenue, Niles. On Monday, July 8, mourners will gather at 9 a.m. at the funeral home and process to a 10 a.m. funeral service at St. John the Baptist Green Orthodox Church, 1350 W. Dempster Street, Des Plaines. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington Heights.