Park District Commissioner Dies Tuesday at Rush Memorial Hospital

At just 61 years old, Commissioner Steve Medrow died Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

The longtime Tinley resident reportedly had a stroke on Saturday and was taken to Palos Community Hospital. He was then transferred to Rush Memorial Hospital, where he died a few days later.

"It was much too early to lose him," said John Curran, the district's director. "He'll be sorely missed."

Medrow began serving the park district in 1997, Curran said, and as its treasurer and chairman of the Budget Finance Committee, he was very "cost conscious." A news release sent by district around 1 p.m. Wednesday said his "contributions to the park district and community (are) irreplaceable."

He was involved in the referendum to build the and , said the release. He also helped with plans for , , the new and the during his tenure.

"He was very good, obviously, with finances and he was a direct person—you always knew where you stood with him," he said.

Aside from serving on the board, he was also part of the Tinley Park Police Pension Board and the Eiche Turners organization, Curran said.

He had about two years remaining in his current term as commissioner.

"It just came as a surprise to all of us," Curran said. "We'll surely miss him."