Mayor Dave Golonski w/Mickey DePalo and
Park Director Chris Daste
City Salutes Its Parks Dynamo
By David Laurell
City Salutes Its Parks Dynamo
By David Laurell
After his victory over Sen. Barry Goldwater, 1965 saw Lyndon Johnson inaugurated to serve his second presidential term. That year also saw the first American combat troops arrive in Vietnam while anti-war protesters rallied on the nation's streets and college campuses.
The Rev. Martin Luther King led a march of civil rights activists in Selma that year, while Warner Bros. captured the Best Picture Oscar for "My Fair Lady" and the country's first arena rock concert was staged by The Beatles in New York's Shea Stadium.
The year of 1965 also saw a young Kentuckian by the name of Mickey DaPalo hired into the Burbank Parks Department as a seasonal locker room attendant.
Over the following decades, DePalo moved up through the ranks to hold positions at the McCambridge, Olive and Verdugo recreation centers.
He established, coordinated and supervised numberous sports and fitness programs for people of all ages, including the Got Wheels! transportation system, the Kids At Play mobile recreation unit and programs at Valley Park's skating facility.
DePalo alos played an active role in the Burbank Run for the Hungry and is perhaps b est known for his service as chairman of the Burbank Veterans Commemorative Committee, w hich annual conductgs Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies.
"Our entire community owes a debt of gratitude to Mickey for laying the foundation for so many programs that have become an integral part of our parks department," Mayor Dave Golonski told a Thursday evening assemblage, that gathered at the Burbank Elks Ldoge to honor the retiring DePalo.
"The programs Mickey has established will live on as a tribute to his dedicated service."
Golonski also paid tribute to DePalo's commitment to Burbank veterans.
"What Mickey has done in his work with veterans has been tremendous. He has always been at the forefront of every effort pertaining to the men and women who have served our country," he said.
 Vice Mayor Gary Bric, Park Commissioner Todd Layfer Deputy Park Director Marisa Garcia, former Parks Director Eric Hansen |
 Dave and Marsha Ramos, David Gordon |
 Pat Thomas, Teri Stein, City Manager Mary Alvord, Kris Smith |
Among the throng of well-wishers who were on hand to honor the Vietnam veteran, longtime park employee and marathon runner were his wife, Ledung "Lee" DePalo, and their son, Michael. Also in attendance were City Manager Mary Alvord; Vice May Gary Bric; council members David Gordon and Marsha Ramos; Park Commissioner Todd Layfer; Park, Recreation and Community Services Director Chris Daste, and numerous park employees, including Jan Bartolo; Linda Oseransky; Teri Stein; Marisa Garcia; Pat Thomas; Vickie O'Neill; Gwen Indermill and Kris Smith.
 Renee Crawford, Dee Call, Gail Migden |
 Former Mayor Michael Hastings, his wife Kathy, and JoAnn and Mike Davis |
 Linda Ozeranski and Vickie O'Neill |
Others who offered DePalo good wishes included former Parks Director Eric Hansen; school board member Dave Kemp and his wife Judith; Airport Commissioner Don Brown; former Mayor May Lou Howard; Dee Call; Paul Currier; Pete McGrath; Don and Kay Farquhar; Carol Finkle; former Mayor Michael Hastings and his wife Kathy; former Fire Chief Mike Davis and his wife JoAnn; Brian and Nancy Hurst; ;the Rev. Jerry Jones and his wife Lucille; Gayle Migden; Gary Oseransky; Dave Ramos; Renee Crawford; Barbara Rownd; Terry Stevenson; Doris and Bill Vick; Don and Debbie Ludwig and Vi Lasky.