Streamwood Park District Custodial Manager Bell Dies at 63

The Streamwood Park District is saddened to announce the passing of Custodial Manager Mark Bell on Sunday at age 63.

"Mark was an exemplary employee and a member of our SPD family for the last 26 years," said Executive Director Jeffrey Janda, "He will be greatly missed by all."

Bell started with the Streamwood Park District on March 18, 1996 - just two weeks prior to the Park Place Family Recreation Center's grand opening. While his title with the Park District was Custodian, he was essentially the unofficial historian for Park Place.

"There wasn't anything about that building that he didn't know," said Superintendent of Parks Ian Pickett.

Prior to his tenure with the Park District, Bell worked as a superintendent at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg during the 1980's and 1990's overseeing building maintenance and cleaning crews.

He grew up in Michigan and was an avid fan of the University of Michigan. Bell was very involved at his church, enjoyed golfing and loved to spend time with his family. He and his wife Trish were fixtures at Park District parks, facilities, and events along with their children and grandchildren.

Streamwood Park District Commissioner Bill Wright said in a Facebook post on Monday, "Anyone who knew Mark understood that his family meant everything to him. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his family, and I would be hard pressed to find a more model person than Mark."

Pickett used the words kind, patient, humble, and hardworking to describe Bell.

"Mark was a great coworker, and an even better person and friend," he added. "He is irreplaceable, and it was truly an honor to get know him and his love for life."

On behalf of the Streamwood Park District Board and staff, please join us in extending thoughts and prayers to Mark Bell's family. Arrangements are pending.