Sculpture of 'Mr. and Mrs. Naperville' unveiled near Millennium Carillon

The term "Mr. and Mrs. Naperville" was more than a trite nickname to describe Harold and Margaret Moser.

The influential Naperville developer, civic leader and philanthropist embodied the town, and Naperville wouldn't be the thriving suburb it is without Moser's efforts.

Members of Naperville's Century Walk Corp. gathered Sunday near the Millennium Carillon to unveil the latest installment of its public sculptures, one which displayed an image of the couple.

"I know Harold would be very proud, but also humbled by all this praise," said Mayor George Pradel. "He just wanted to do all that he could for the city he loved."

Pradel showed gratitude to Harold Moser, saying he owed his former job with the city's police department to Moser's influence.

"He was on the police board, and they decided they didn't want to hire me," Pradel explained. "He decided to take the board into (a closed-door meeting). I ended up getting the job."

Both Harold and Margaret Moser died within a week of each other in 2001, but at least four of their relatives attended Sunday's dedication.

Paul Lehman, one of the couple's nephews, said the couple would've been very proud of the evolution of their city.

"The big joy in their lives was to see things happen," Lehman said. "They lived simply, giving to their church and giving to their community."

Elenita Librojo, the couple's nurse, said she owed her livelihood to the Mosers. Librojo explained to the audience how the couple purchased a home for her and her son shortly after she immigrated here from Mexico.

"When they died, it was so hard for me to start living my life without them," said Librojo, who spent much of the last nine years of the couple's lives caring for them. "They were good Christian people."