Sept. 24--Jerome J.R. McBride was known as a bridge builder. On Wednesday, the former DuPage County board member, who died last year from brain tumors, was remembered for just that quality when a bridge in Glen Ellyn was named for him.
About 60 people turned out Wednesday afternoon to dedicate to him the Roosevelt Road bridge crossing state Route 53 at the intersection with Baker Hill Drive. The bridge is now known as the Jerome F. "JR" McBride Memorial Bridge.
State Rep. Michael Connelly, R-Wheaton, who authored the legislation to memorialize his friend, said that particular bridge was chosen for a reason. Connelly said once he was supposed to meet McBride there, but kept driving over and under the bridge several times before realizing his mistake. He said McBride poked fun at him for his error, and after that experience, every time he passed the bridge he thought of his friend.
The crowd Wednesday was made up of McBride's friends, family, and political colleagues and supporters, many who wore old McBride campaign shirts in his memory.
McBride was remembered as a warm and friendly man of good humor who had a deep love for the community. Becky McBride, J.R.'s widow, said she was pleased to see so many people turn up at the dedication ceremony.
"I'm glad to see there's a mix of the political and non-political here today, because he was so much more than politics," McBride said.
McBride said she and her family live a short distance from the bridge bearing her husband's name, and it will be a reminder to her of the impact her husband had on the community.
"It's nice to know that years from now someone might see his name on this bridge and Google it and find out what a wonderful person he was," McBride said.
A longtime resident of Glen Ellyn, McBride died in 2014 from complications of brain tumors. He served on the DuPage County Board representing District 4 from 2006 until the time of his death. In 2000 he was diagnosed with the tumors and had surgery to remove some benign masses. However, his health slipped, and he spent his last days in hospice care at his home. McBride was named for his father and his nickname of J.R. was short for junior.
McBride's mother, Ellen McBride, said she also was pleased with the dedication as well as the number of people who turned out for the ceremony. McBride remembered her son as a man who loved to bring people together to find a consensus.
"It's a great comfort to know that he will be remembered," she said.
His colleagues in politics remember McBride fondly too.
"In a society where we look for heroes and people to emulate, we need look no further than J.R. McBride," DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin said.
Yadav "Nick" Nathwani, a member of the Milton Township Board of Trustees, remembered McBride as a man of strong character.
"He left some big shoes to fill in Glen Ellyn," Nathwani said.
Alex Keown is a freelance reporter.
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