Al Pelham Remembered In Montclair At Glenfield Park Dedication

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A beloved, late resident of Montclair who served as a pillar of support for the community for decades was recently honored at a dedication ceremony in Glenfield Park.

Earlier this month, community members gathered for the dedication of the Albert E. Pelham Sports Complex at the county-run park, which is located in Montclair and Glen Ridge.

Pelham, who died in 2021, was the executive director of the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation, president of the Montclair chapter of the NAACP, and co-chair of the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation.

• See Related: 'Incredible Void To Fill' After Montclair Community Leader Dies

The complex that now bears his name includes the new 10,000-square-foot Wally Choice Community Center and practice football field, two tennis courts, two basketball courts that are part of the Bobby Hurt Basketball Courts and the Terry Demming Little League Field.

• See Related: $10M In Upgrades Cross Finish Line At Montclair Park
• See Related: Montclair Little League Field Named For Late First-Grader, Sports Fan

A bronze plaque placed in the park begins with a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

The plaque continues with a tribute to Pelham’s efforts to make Montclair a better place to live. It reads:

“After a successful career with Prudential, Albert E. Pelham found his calling to help others and strengthen the community. He partnered with the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corp. to create Project Oasis, which used the game of basketball to provide positive opportunities for youth. He eventually became Executive Director of MNDC, overseeing the organization’s growth and administering programs that empowered clients, assisted the less fortunate, provided recreation and enrichment programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Pelham created a remote learning facility at the Essex County Wally Choice Community Center to provide a full day of classroom instruction to help prevent learning loss among Montclair students. Committed to his family and promoting strong values, he advocated for equality, fairness and justice through his involvement with the Montclair NAACP and African American Heritage Foundation and SPAN. Mr. Pelham often could be found in Essex County Glenfield Park, organizing basketball tournaments, cheering on young athletes and engaging with others. Naming the Essex County Glenfield Park Sports Complex in his honor is a fitting tribute for his longtime commitment to Essex County.”

“On behalf of our family, we are proud, honored and appreciative of this honor because my father was a man who meant so much to the community,” said Pelham’s daughter, Rhonda Fischer.

“Today shows how much respect you had for him,” Fischer added.

That respect was evident in the outpouring of support that came in his name earlier this month.

“Mr. Pelham was one of those individuals who was so impactful on all of our lives, who used their time with us to do good,” said Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, who was joined by Councilors David Cummings and Peter Yacobellis at the July 14 ceremony.

“He will live on through the work we do to carry on his legacy,” Spiller said.

The Rev. Craig Dunn, who succeeded Pelham as executive director of the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corp., called him “a tough man with a tender heart” who cared deeply about seniors and children.

“It is up to us to continue his legacy,” Dunn urged.

Cheryl Thompson-Martin, secretary of the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation, called Pelham a “kind and dear person” – as well as a friend.

“Al Pelham had a seat at every table of every organization in which he was involved and he invested himself into the fight for equality for people of color,” said Diane Anglin, first vice president of the Montclair branch of the NAACP.

Other people who remembered Pelham with fondness included:

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. – “Al Pelham was a strong proponent of programs that aided families in need, benefited the development of children and fostered fairness, equity and justice. Al loved Glenfield Park and could be found there almost everyday meeting with senior citizens, cheering on young athletes in recreation programs or hosting gatherings to bring the community together. Naming the sports complex in his honor will keep his legacy alive and hopefully encourage others to follow in his large footsteps.”

Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill – “What makes Montclair such a special community are people like Mr. Pelham. It is fitting to recognize him in Glenfield Park and make sure his legacy is not forgotten.”

Essex County Commissioner Patricia Sebold – “It is an honor to name the sports complex after a wonderful individual who gave so much to the community.”

Essex County Prosecutor Ted Stephens – “Everyone likes to name things after famous people, but the dedication is much more special when a local person who makes a difference is being honored.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page.