Former trustee 'loved Itasca'

A former Itasca trustee is being remembered for his easygoing nature and commitment to community.

Alex J. Horvath, who served as an Itasca trustee for eight years in the 1970s, died Monday at Friendship Village in Schaumburg after a short battle with lung cancer. He was 84.

"It's been quite a ride, but at least he's through suffering," said his wife Bernadine Horvath.

Alex Horvath was a World War II Navy veteran who worked for 43 years at National Cash Registry. He was a former captain of the Itasca Police Reserves, a longtime member of the Itasca Lions Club and a "Chief Big Deer" of the Itasca Indian Princesses.

Bernadine Horvath said her husband always encouraged others to also be civic-minded.

"He was very political," she said. "He loved Itasca."

During his two terms as a village trustee, Alex Horvath was involved with many projects, including beautifying the downtown, remodeling the village hall and starting Spring Brook Nature Center and Usher Park. He also was an advocate for the village's police officers and department because of his involvement in the reserves.

"He was a lovely man," said former Itasca Mayor Shirley Ketter. "He was cooperative and a gentleman at all times."

Alex and Bernadine Horvath were introduced through a relative decades ago, and lived together in Itasca for the past 50 years.

Alex Horvath was easy tempered, loved to sail and always made his wife laugh, Bernadine Horvath said.

"Even when he was so sick, he had a great sense of humor," she said. "He always made the best of the bad situation if there was one."

He was popular, too.

"If you were in Itasca in the 1970s, you'd see a Horvath sign in every window," Bernadine Horvath said. "It was a great time."

Alex Horvath is survived by his wife, three children and several grandchildren.

The funeral service will begin 9 a.m. Thursday at The Oaks Funeral Home, 1201 E. Irving Park Road in Itasca, proceeding to St. Peter the Apostle Church for a Mass at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to a charity.