Franklin Park honored two community leaders who recently died.
Catalina Alvarado passed away on July 25. She was the president of the Villa Alegre, a community organization she started back in 1995. Her organization currently has about 30 members, and her husband, Alfredo Alvarado, said they hosted events like a Cinco de Mayo children’s event and other fundraisers for the community.
Also, former Franklin Park Trustee Steve Kopera passed away in August at the age of 90. Kopera was World War II Coast Guard veteran who was active with various village organizations within the village during his life. For instance, he was served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Suburban Manufacturing Association and the school board of St. Gertrude School. He was chair of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Kopera served as a village trustee from 1981 to 1995 and chaired various committees, according to the proclamation.
For Alvarado, the village proclamation described her as a diligent and unselfish activist who dedicated her life to promoting and working to improve her community, who worked tirelessly to assist the residents of her community and the village. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer March 2015 and died peacefully surrounded by her family at the age of 61.
“She did so many things to help,” Alfredo Alvarado said. “She made sure that there weren’t any problems in our community with vagrants and gangs. She really worked hard for our neighborhood to stay clean.”
“Catalina was tireless in her efforts and I know that part of Franklin Park is much better now thanks to her,” Village President Barrett Pedersen said.
“She worked so hard for the village to recognize us and she made sure they did,” said Alfredo Alvarado.
Pedersen also had praise for Kopera.
“In about 1980 or 1982, I became aware of a gentleman who was a leader of this community for many years,” said Pedersen. “Steve meant a lot to me, and I’m sure he meant a lot to the community.”
Alex V. Hernandez is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.