Big Tom (Thomas F. Markham, Jr.)

Thomas F. Markham, Jr was a very popular, multi-sport coach in the Clearing neighborhood at St. Symphorosa Catholic School. At 6 feet, 6 inches in height - he was known by all as “Big Tom.” Sports was always part of his life and the grand legacy that he passed on to his children and all the young athletes he coached through the years.

Tom grew up on the southwest side of Chicago

Alumnus:

Grimes School
De LaSalle High School
Northern Michigan University

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Honorary Big Tom Way

6000 block of South Melvina Avenue

 

Approved: March 2022

Ward: 13
Alderman: Quinn
Neighborhood: Clear Ridge

b. July 4, 1957
d. 2017. Age 59

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Source

2022619

Our Lady of Victory

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church was founded in 1906 at 4444 North Laramie Avenue and was a fixture in the community for over one hundred years. It became one of the largest parishes on the Northwest side of Chicago. Father Francis Chickozki was the first Pastor. The Our Lady of Victory School was open from 1910-2016. In the original school building, the nuns lived on the third floor, above the classrooms.

Our Lady of Victory Church held its final mass on June 13, 2021 with Reverend Michael Wyrzykowski and merged with the Saint Pascal and Saint Bartholomew Parishes.

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Honorary Our Lady of Victory Way

North Laramie Avenue from West Agatite Avenue to West Sunnyside Avenue

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 38
Alderman: Sposato
Neighborhood: Portage Park/Jefferson Park

Our Lady of Victory
5212 W. Agatite Avenue
4444 N. Laramie

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Source

http://www.olvchicago.org
https://nadignewspapers.com/2020/12/19/%EF%BB%BFour-lady-of-victory-church-in-jefferson-park-to-close-by-late-2021-property-could-eventually-be-sold/

Rita Simo Way

Rita Simo was the founder of the People’s School of Music in Chicago, an organization offering free music lessons to people who would not otherwise be able to afford them. Rita was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to attend the Julliard School of Music. She took her vows as a Catholic nun and taught music at Rosary College. She left the order to fulfill her dream of opening her own music school. In 1976 she started the People’s Music School in a former beauty salon, staffed by volunteers and the donation of a baby grand piano. The school expanded to Bronzeville, Back of the Yards and Albany Park neighbohoods. Rita retired in 2001. She remained a board member of the Jane Addams Senior Caucus and a Life Trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

YouTube playlist: Rita Simo. Honorary Chicago

Alumni
Julliard School of Music
Boston University, D.M.A. Music Performance

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Honorary Rita Simo Way

Eastwood Avenue at Sheridan Road

 

Approved: 2001

Ward:
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Uptown
Ceremony: 2002

b. 1934. Dominican Republic
d. September 22, 2020. Age 86. Chicago

Near
People’s School of Music

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Source

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Tribune

Source

Edward J. Schmit, Jr. Way

For fourty-seven years, Edward Schmit was the owner of the Teddy Bear Day Care, which grew to six centers in the Southwest Chicago area including Little Bear for infants and the Big Bear Day Camp program. He was on the board of directors of the St. Rita High School (his Alma Mater), and the Valentine Boys & Girls Club. Ed had retired from the Continental Can Company where he worked in facilities. He had been a benefactor to the Gage Park baseball and to the neighborhood throughout his life; Ed grew up in Gage Park, and where he and his wife raised their five children.

Alumni
St. Rita’s High School, 1963

It‘s with sadness that we announce the passing of St. Rita graduate and longtime member of the St. Rita Board of Directors, Mr. Ed J. Schmit Jr. '63. Our condolences go to the entire Schmit family.

Ed truly was a Ritaman and his love and support of St. Rita will live on forever pic.twitter.com/C8IW10wq2k

— St. Rita Chicago (@StRitaHS) July 22, 2020

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Honorary Edward J. Schmit, Jr. Way

West 51st Street, both sides of the street, between South Washtenaw Avenue and South Talman Avenue

 

Ward: 14
Alderman: Burke
Neighborhood: Gage Park

b.March 30, 1945
d. July 2020. Age 75

Near
Teddy Bear Day Care
2649 W 51st St

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Source

Fr. Larry Duris Way

Father Larry Duris dedicated himself to the African-American community and to Catholic life and education. He was ordained by John Cardinal Cody, Archbishop of Chicago. Since 2009, Fr. Duris was pastor at St. Ailbe’s Catholic Church on Chicago’s far south side, and unofficially and spontaneously with parishioners and neighbors at the local grocery store. Before St. Ailbe’s he served in 5 other Chicago area parishes. Fr. Duris had a fascination with African-American history, arts, and music; he was known to be a very good pianist.

In January of 2016 he was presented the Pope John XXIII Award for Outstanding Ministry by the Association of Chicago Priests.

Alumni:
St. Anthony School in Cicero
St. Peter Catholic School in Skokie
Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago
University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein

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Honorary Fr. Larry Duris Way

9015 S. Harper Avenue. South Harper Avenue from 90th to 91st Street

 

Approved: April 2019

Ward: 8
Alderman: Michelle Harris
Neighborhood: Calumet Heights

Born in Chicago
d. 2018 age 74

Near St. Ailbe’s Catholic Church
9015 S. Harper Avenue

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Source