West Milford Mayor Robert Little speaks at the 1963 dedication ceremony for McCormack sports field, which is named for John T. McCormack. At right are attorney Louis Wallisch; Councilman Charles Salem; Frank J. McCormack, John’s brother; and school board trustees Audrey Kytle and James Gray. McCormack’s sister Catherine is seated at left. (File photo by Ann Genader)
The correct spelling of the sports field behind Macopin Middle School, where West Milford High School football games are played and graduations are held, is often debated today.
Many people assume that the field honors William J. McCormick Jr., who began his long career with the West Milford School District as a teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School, then moved through the ranks to eventually serve as superintendent in 1977.
He is not the person for whom the field is named.
More than 60 years ago, on Oct. 5, 1963, McCormack Field was dedicated to the memory of John T. McCormack, a former school board secretary and business administrator.
Most of his public work and volunteerism were done during the days of the one-, two- and three-room rural schoolhouses, before the Hillcrest consolidated school was built.
During probation days, McCormack served in an official capacity with Passaic County, distributing food to people in need of it.
He organized a marching band sponsored by the Community Fire Company of Newfoundland. Shirley Tice Rhinesmith Mazalewski was the head majorette.
Both McCormack and McCormick were well-respected and known for dedicating a great deal of time and energy to their work and recreation for those in the community, especially children. Recognized as leaders, they were from different generations.
As it naturally happens, memories of McCormack faded with the passing of contemporaries who knew him or knew of his good works. Today, only a handful of people are around who remember him.
McCormick certainly deserves the recognition given him when West Milford High School graduates speak with each other, and his name and consideration for others comes up at class reunions and elsewhere.
A memorial in the community to honor him would be appropriate.
About 2,000 people attended the long-ago ceremony to erect a flagpole and memorial plaque to honor McCormack.
The monument for the plaque was made from township native red stone. It was put in place through courtesy of John Del Favero, a Marshall Hill Road businessman.
The monument was moved from its original location to a different place on the field when the first turf field replaced the original grass field. The inscription honoring McCormack says, “McCormack Field - Dedicated Oct. 5, 1963, to John T. McCormack - Friend of Man; True Public Servant; A Keen Sportsman and Lover of Children.”
At the time of the dedication, Mario Grippi was superintendent, Leo Hilton was high school principal, William J. McCormick was assistant high school principal, and Robert Gunderman was athletic director and assistant coach.
Assistant coaches were Charles Slawinski, Wilkliam Gramlich, David Sweetman and Paul Ryan. Peter Loschialpo was band director, Cecile Upshall was cheerleader adviser and Doris Little Osterhoudt was drill team adviser.
At the 1963 dedication, co-football captains Richard Tournier and Frank Murphy and co-cheerleader captains Carol Giuseffi and Jayne Sanclamenti unveiled the monument. The high school band played the National Anthem, and William Matarazzo and Ginny Tournier led the flag salute.
“John T. McCormack was a friend of man - to all of us - and to that end he exemplified true Americanism,” Mayor Robert Little said in addressing the crowd. “He gave his best as a public servant by serving for many years in many capacities. His love of clean sport will never be forgotten. He gave a lot for the youth of the township - in recreation endeavors, in his formation of youth (music) bands - in always being ready with a helping hand.”
Louis Wallisch, who was employed as attorney to represent the township and Board of Education, headed the memorial committee and led the ceremonies.
A flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol was provided by Congressman William Widnall and raised on the new flagpole. Boy Scouts from Troops 44, 51 and 114, along with Girl Scouts from Troops 268, 98 and 298, participated in the program.
There were prayers by the Rev. Stephen McMahon, OFM, (Friars Minor Religious Order), assistant pastor at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in the Echo Lake community; the Rev. Richard Gilbert, pastor of the United Methodist Church at Newfoundland who also served as Chaplin for the Community Fire Company of Newfoundland and Oak Ridge; and the Rev. Albert Manus, pastor of the West Milford Presbyterian Church. Members of the township’s six volunteer fire companies, in their dress uniforms, participated.
Board of Education president Lindsey Chase read the board’s resolution dedicating the field to McCormack. He spoke of McCormack’s service as secretary for the school board and to the township as chairman of the Recreation Commission; as chief of the fire company in Newfoundland and head of the West Milford Township Fire Chiefs Association; and to the community as promoter and founder of frequent activities and events.
Chase praised his contributions in planning and developing the school educational buildings and athletic field programs.
McCormack’s brother, Frank, and his sister, Catherine, were on the guest platform.
Serving on the committee planning the event were Grippi; school trustees Audrey Kytle, James Gray, Howard Simpson, Charles Salem, Jack Smith and Harold Smith; and Township Committeeman W. Albert Moody.
The West Milford High School football team played a game with West Morris Regional High School that day, according to the souvenir program. The West Milford team members were co-captains R. Tournier and F. Murphy. Others on the squad were C. Dehnel, F. Faltings, R. Kreiger, J. Maloney, J. Neumann, C. Ryan, J. Winterberger, D. Freeland, Chris Erbe, Dan Anderson, Ron Pulis, Dan Egan, Dennis Mosser, Phil Otten, Ray Wittrup, Joe Beernstein, Greg Post, Ed Yusis, Ron DeGraf, Watyne Quinlan, Al Michalka, Steve Samuelson, Pat Schmedile, Jim Arkenbout, John Rhinesmith, Dave Dunn, Mike Dorrbecker, George Freeland, Jim Brennan, Tony Comerota, Harold Mastenbrook, George Naccara, Roger Warwick and Dennis Cavaleri.