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Niles park board member helped families fulfill dreams
Updated: April 8, 2013 2:03AM
He was a man who was very involved in the Niles community and helped many families fulfill their dreams.
Charles Barbaglia, who recently passed away at 74, will be missed by many community members in Niles and has undoubtedly left a positive stamp on the village.
Barbaglia was the senior vice president of the First National Bank of Niles, past president and member of the Niles Chamber of Commerce, Niles Park District Commissioner and president of the park board for 14 years, Easter Seals and Christmas Seals chairman, director of the St. Benedict Nursing Home, past member and president of the Niles Sister Cities and served on the Niles and Police Fireman’s Pension Board. He was also honored with awards by several charitable organizations.
“He did everything he did with a lot of enthusiasm,” said Charyl Szydloski.
Szydloski said her dad moved to Texas to spend some time with her and his grandchildren.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better dad,” Szydloski said. “He was the most giving, generous, loving man. He loved his grandkids. He was so proud of all of them.”
Niles Park District Director Joseph LoVerde had nothing but wonderful things to say about Barbaglia.
“He was very supportive of our staff and our goals and objectives,” said LoVerde.
LoVerde was a close friend of Barbaglia’s for more than 40 years. He said that Barbaglia was the banker for his family business, LoVerde Construction.
“He helped so many families fulfill their dreams,” explained LoVerde, whether it was help with starting a business or buying a home. “He was a wonderful man.”
LoVerde said he was focused on running the park district like a business. Barbaglia and the other new board members at the time appointed LoVerde as director of the Niles Park District in 1997.
“With all their support, it turned out to be very successful,” said LoVerde, about the park district.
Loverde said Barbaglia always did what was best for the park district and the community as a whole. His caring ways were also a big part of his family life.
Barbaglia’s love story began 54 years ago, when Barbaglia met his late wife in Detroit Michigan on a blind date. Szydloski said he took wonderful care of Carole, who passed away last January.
Barbaglia is survived by two children and seven grandchildren.
