The Story Behind Sereda Park

In 1960, a new officer joined the Western Springs Police Department. After serving with the U.S. Army in Germany, Adrian “Terry” Sereda began a nine-year career with the village. During that period, he was a patrol officer, a sergeant, a detective, and a drug investigator. He and his wife, Margo, had three children and resided at 4324 Western Avenue.

Joking that, as a police officer, he “… got tired of just going from Ogden Avenue to 55th Street, in 1969 Sereda joined the U.S. Marshal Service. While he and his family remained in Western Springs, Sereda began what would become a colorful 23-year career with the Marshal Service. During that time, he would travel extensively, helping apprehend more than 400 fugitives. These included a good portion of the FBI’s 15 most-wanted criminals. In 1982, he received the U.S. Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award.

Unfortunately, Sereda discovered he was afflicted with both lupus and leukemia. While he opted for retirement, that was not the end of his endeavors. He organized a volunteer program to help seniors with minor repairs, snow removal, and summer lawn care. He started the Tower Restoration Fund after the village’s historic water tower was damaged by lightning. And, he volunteered his time to help victims of the 1990 Plainfield tornado. He even built the playhouse which greets children on the 3rd floor of the Water Tower Museum.

A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Kiwanis Club, Sereda also organized a bicycle drive in 1993. Using his own pickup truck, he would collect old bicycles that were being discarded by residents. He then fixed them up at his own expense and distributed them to orphanages. Nearly 160 children received their first bikes, courtesy of Sereda.

He also collected more than 76,000 books and decks of cards for patients at Hines Hospital and LaGrange Memorial Hospital. He organized a railroad safety program that became known as Operation Lifesaver. And, in his spare time, he volunteered his time in support of the Tower Trot and the Business Association’s annual Easter egg hunt.

When told that the Park District was considering re-naming a park in his honor, Sereda suggested saving the money and giving it to orphans. But, despite his modesty, the park at 39th & Hampton was re-named in his honor on October 25, 2003.  Second photo.

In his last years, he lamented that health problems “…prevent me from continuing with the things I’ve always done. But, remember that, no matter how bad you think you have it, someone’s always got it worse.” Sereda passed away in 2011.

Each week, the Western Springs Historical Society presents a “Blast from the Past”. To view prior stories, visit us at www.westernspringshistory.org or just click on the author’s name shown above.

Photos:

Sereda Park Sign – 39th & Hampton

Terry Sereda (left) and wife Margo at Dedication - 2003