Oakland Recreation Always Remembers
Over the past decade the recreation complex has become a place to remember those that have tragically passed and to honor those that have come before us. Previously the Recreation Commission released an article about the memorial benches located around the recreation path. Each bench memorializing and important community member that has left us. Since the writing of that article two more benches have been dedicated; at the tennis courts for Barry Sandler and along field 8 for Tony Diers.
Another fitting tribute are the two “rock memorials” placed at the complex. At the crosswalk between fields 8 and 9 there is a special memorial to Patrick Eugene Lawlor who died in the service of his country while serving in Vietnam. Patrick was a local kid who graduated from IHHS and pitched on the Braves baseball team. The street the runs through the recreation complex is named after Patrick. In the summer of 2015, with funding from the Sports Association of Oakland the rock was moved to the location and a plaque erected. It is a fitting tribute to an American and Oakland hero. His sister Jean keeps a public memorial Facebook page in his honor, please feel free to visit.
Located at the flag pole behind the roller rink is our newest memorial rock and plaque for Thomas McGinnis. Thomas tragically passed on September 11, 2001 while working in the World Trade Center. This plaque was originally located at the reserve and over the years the memorial fell into disrepair. With the support of the reserve and the McGinnis family the plaque was moved to the recreation complex and unveiled on September 11, 2020. In 2019 the McGinnis family played a role in the 9/11 dedication ceremony for the WTC steel and monument now located in Veteran’s Park. Thomas’ widow Iliana was the keynote speaker.
As life moves on the Recreation Commission will continue to use the complex as a place of honor, whether it be in a field naming, new bench or other incarnation. The purpose of the Alexander Potash Recreation Complex is to not only offer a place for our youth and adults to enjoy the outdoors, exercise and Oakland camaraderie, but a place to remember those that have allowed today and tomorrow become a reality.
