Positively Park Ridge Person Of The Month: Joseph Steinfels

How long have you lived in Park Ridge?

I’m what I like to call a “Park Ridg-inal” — someone who grew up here, spent high school eager to get out to “the real world” beyond our quiet, safe town, and then found my way back. Like many Park Ridg-inals, after college (or in my case, the Marines) and a few years in Chicago — Lincoln Park or Bucktown now South Loop or River North — move back home. Many of us return, usually with 1 to 1.2 children, ready to raise the next generation here.

Tell us about your family.

My wife, Demelza, and I met in high school, which makes our Park Ridge roots even deeper. We have four children: Andrew, a junior at MS; Josette, a freshman at MS; Eloise, 7 (LMS); and James, 6 (LMS).

How have you been involved in the community?

After serving 24 years in the Marines, I retired and returned home to raise my family and give back to the community. My involvement includes being a father, scout leader, Library Board member, Alderman, church lector, Kiwanian, and Memorial Day Parade Chair. Professionally, I’m a Cook

County State’s Attorney and a part-time professor at Oakton Community College.

Advice on being a good neighbor or friend.

Empathy is the most important interpersonal trait. The willingness to understand and value another person’s perspective is vital for a civil society. We don’t have to agree with every position, but we should listen, respect, and remember that others are just as important as ourselves. Thoughtfulness and kindness go far; contempt and dismissal divide. After all, we’re all neighbors and fellow travelers in life.

What do you love about Stroll Magazine?

My favorite part of Stroll Park Ridge is how the magazine puts the community front-and-center in everything. It’s not just about the restaurants, not just about the businesses, not just about the sports, not just about the schools, but all of it. After all, it’s the people who make Park Ridge the wonderful place it is. And Stroll always puts the people in our community first.

Do you know a POSITIVE person in Park Ridge? We bet you do! Nominate them to be honored! Email strollparkridge@gmail.com