Michael Park

PRINCETON — Michael P. Park, 62, of Princeton passed away at his home on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019.

Michael, better known as Mike by friends and family, was born June 7, 1956, in Chicago, to the late Thomas and Betsy (Lahoda) Park. He was a graduate of Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove Village, Class of 1974. He had three daughters, Jennifer, Emily and Nicole, who were the absolute light of his life. He worked throughout Illinois and beyond as a DJ, owning and operating Mega Music DJ Services for over 30 years. In 2009, he began caring for his mother, who moved in with him.

Mike loved to enjoy life! He was a lifelong member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and visited there two to three times a year. He loved to sit back and talk about music and sports with anyone, any time.

He loved his Chicago teams, especially the White Sox and Blackhawks. He loved spending time with his family, especially on their annual trips to the Wisconsin Dells, often going two times a year. He loved a good road trip with his mother, Betsy, to Minnesota, where they would travel to visit family and friends.

He was quite the music memorabilia collector, verging on hoarding (according to his daughters and close friends). The Basement, aka Mike’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, was infamously covered from top to bottom with rock posters, articles and videos, including reel-to-reel. He didn’t play guitar but had quite the guitar collection, as well as pin collection and they were all proudly displayed in his “Rock Cave.” Often, the girls would forewarn friends prior to seeing the magnificent display of memorabilia.

He was an amazing father and grandfather. He would love to tell the story of his youngest and only grandson, Dalton, (who has five older sisters). He would ask, “How many sisters do you have, Dalton?” And little Dalton would reply, “I have many, Papa, I have many.”

Mike will be very missed by his family and friends, leaving an imprint of joy on everyone he met.

Mike is survived by his three daughters, Jennifer (Brad) Butler of Walnut, Emily (Ben Carter) Park of Madison, Wis., and Nicole Park of Temecula, Calif.; six grandchildren, Taylor, Bailey, Ryleigh, Alexis, Ella and Dalton; one brother, John (Tina) Park of Hubert, N.C.; four nieces, Amber, Abigail, Harley and Shannon; one aunt, Marylew Lindell of Forrest Lake, Minn.; his “woman,” Lorrie Wilsman; as well as a multitude of cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Park (1970) and Betsy Park (Jan. 7, 2019); one sister, Kathleen Park-Gross; and one brother, Thomas “Butch” Park.

A celebration of life for both Michael and his mother, Betsy, will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at the Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton. Services for Michael and his mother, Betsy, will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Father Daniel Gifford of St. Louis Catholic Church. Friends are welcome to share a story after the service.

Burial for Michael and Betsy will be at noon Saturday, Feb. 16, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.