Longtime Lombard parks director dies

John 'Bill' Moran of Lombard is being remembered as a caring, kind and passionate leader.

The former Lombard parks official passed away Tuesday after complications from a prior stroke. He was 84.

Moran moved to Lombard from Chicago in 1952 when he became a gym teacher for Lombard Elementary District 44 and Lombard Park District's first recreation director. Later, Moran became the park district's executive director.

After his retirement in 1990, Moran served two, six-year terms on the park district board from 1991 through 2003.

During his time at the park district, Moran led a successful referendum in 1957 for the park district's first pool, which was renamed Moran Water Park when he retired.

"I knew him through his involvement in the community, and he was a good friend of mine," Lombard Village President Bill Mueller said. "He was certainly a leader in our community and very dedicated to our park district and the youth of our community."

Moran served in the U.S. Army Air Force and received bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Northern Illinois University.

Hilde Moran, who was married to Bill Moran for 60 years, said her partner was a very good husband.

"He was a really hard worker, he cared a lot for people and he loved parties," she said. "He was just really helpful to everyone as much as he could be."

Moran's daughter, Karen Baker, has childhood memories of her father being a coach and her gym teacher at school.

"He was strict and he was fair," Baker said.

Moran's kids loved going to work with their dad during summers, and being at the pool all summer long.

"We all loved the fact that he ran the pool," Baker said.

Lombard Park District Director Paul Friedrichs said the community's very sad to hear of Moran's passing.

"His passion was parks and recreation," Friedrichs said. "Having young people participate in park district programs was something he always believed in and enjoyed being a part of."

Moran is survived by his wife, four children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St. in Lombard. The funeral service will be held Monday with 9:30 a.m. prayers at the funeral home. A 10 a.m. Mass will be held at St. Pius X Church in Lombard. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the recreation department at Lombard Park District would be appreciated.