Park District Worker Retires After 30 Years Making Kids Happy

From Glenview Park District: What began as a seasonal position with the Glenview Park District led to an award-winning 30 year career for Eufemio Castro. Castro is stepping down as a park services maintenance worker, but something he won’t soon lose in retirement is the nickname his coworkers affectionately gave him. “Memo” was known for being a hard worker.

“It was even tough for me to get him to take vacations. He enjoyed getting up in the morning and doing what he did,” said Brent Carpenter, Glenview Park District Supervisor of Fields and Fleet.

What Castro did was take care of things that children enjoy. He groomed all the ball diamonds, made ice for the outdoor skating rinks and cared for the tennis and volleyball courts. Castro joined the Park Services team in April 1988. Though it was just a seasonal position, his commitment to excellence got him noticed and in May 1996, Castro was promoted to a part time year-round position. In May 2000, he moved up the ranks to a full time job as a Maintenance I worker. Castro served the Glenview Park District in that capacity for 18 years.

Park and Facility Services Manager Kris Mikkelson said, “Memo is the epitome of what the Glenview Park District stands for. He has been an exceptional employee throughout his career.”

Throughout Castro’s time with the park district, he has worked on a wide range of projects, including Community Park West’s baseball fields. Their exceptional upkeep earned the park district the 2013 Illinois Sports Turf Association’s “Fields of the Year Award” and the entire park services team, including Castro, was recognized for their efforts.

“His passion for his job, his knowledge of the parks, sports turf management and his attention to detail will truly be missed,” said Mikkelsen.

Carpenter, who has worked with Castro for nine years, said he’ll be staying with relatives on their ranch.

Photo courtesy Glenview Park District