28 Oct ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES “TERRY DEMMING FIELD” IN ESSEX COUNTY GLENFIELD PARK Little League Field Named in Honor of Deceased 7-Year-Old Montclair Resident
Published on October 28, 2022
Montclair, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the “Terry Lawrence Demming Little League Field” in Essex County Glenfield Park in Montclair on Friday, October 28th. The field is named for Terry Demming, a 7-year-old Montclair resident who lost his life in 2018.
“Despite his young age, Terry left a significant impact on the Montclair community. Naming the field in his honor will keep his memory alive for his family and friends and demonstrate to the public at large how much we, as a community, love and cherish our children,” DiVincenzo said.
“This is an honor that is beyond comprehension. To have a hometown field named for him next to facilities named for other great people who have given so much to the community. This shows our children how important they are and to be okay with who they are,” said Terry’s mother, Kathryn Weller-Demming.
“Joe, you updated this field and created an angel in the outfield by naming it after Terry. You built a field of dreams that allows Terry’s dreams and memory to live on,” New Jersey and Essex Count Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones said.
“Our challenge to honor Terry is to come together as one because that is what he would have wanted. Terry’s life was short, but what he did in that short time will always be remembered by this community,” Commissioner Brendan Gill said. “One of the saddest things we do on the Board of Commissioners is to recognize the lives of those we lost, but one of the most special is to celebrate the lives of people who have made a difference,” Commissioner Vice President Carlos Pomares said.
“We sometimes take for granted the people and events in our lives. Kathryn, you fill us with hope for filling the void left by your son by continuing to serve and help others,” Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said. “While naming this field won’t fill the voice of losing Terry, I hope you find solace knowing that all the young people who play on this field will have know his name. He touched the lives and hearts of so many people and he made a difference through the expression of pure love and joy,” Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake said. “We are here to celebrate the spirit and energy of this young man. This is a joyous occasion and a time to talk about life,” State Senator Nia Gill said. “Kathryn, you now have a special place where you can visit and remember how much Terry loved you,” Senator Richard Codey said.
“The County Executive created a special place in this park and it is my promise that the Sheriff’s Office will keep it as safe and pristine as possible,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.
“We are here today with mixed emotions. We are sad about the loss of an outstanding member of our community but celebrate a life that was well-lived. This field will give parents another opportunity to love their children even more,” said Robert Jackson, Essex County Administrator and former Montclair Mayor.
“This is a wonderful tribute to Terry and what the County Executive has done to the park is amazing. To have Terry’s name on this field is amazing,” Montclair Councilor Robin Schlager said. “I applaud Joe for making this lasting tribute. It brings joy back into Terry’s name,” Montclair Councilor Lori Price Abrams said. “What a wonderful tribute to wonderful boy,” Montclair Councilor David Cummings said.
The plaque begins with a quote by Yogi Berra: “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” It continues: “Terry Lawrence Demming was an exuberant and outgoing 7-year-old who quickly made friends with whoever he came in contact. He was loved and adored by all; those who knew him described Terry as the “funniest boy in class and a great friend” and as an “energetic, smart, beautiful and charismatic little boy.” Terry was involved in many activities in Montclair: singing in the Youth Choir at Trinity Presbyterian Church, playing Little League baseball with the Bulldogs and learning lacrosse in Montclair’s recreation program. Despite his young age, he could be seen helping out at events hosted by the Montclair Democratic Committee and at Toni’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen that assists the homeless and less fortunate. Tragically, Terry was taken from his family, friends and the community that adored him in 2018. We remember Terry – the energy he brought to anything he did and the unique way this vibrant first grader connected to everyone – by naming this Little League field in his honor.”
Revitalizing Essex County Glenfield Park
Currently under construction is the new 10,000-square-foot Wally Choice Community Center, practice football field and parking lot. Earlier this year, the Little League/softball field was updated with a new synthetic grass playing surface and scoreboard. In 2017, the tennis courts and basketball courts, named for the late Bobby Hurt, were resurfaced and new equipment was installed. In 2015, the playground and restroom building received a facelift. In 2009, the football field and two softball diamonds were modernized with new irrigation and drainage systems and resurfaced with sod to improve playing conditions. Football and soccer goals were installed on the field. A synthetic grass surface was installed on the softball field in the eastern section of the park.
In 2006, a major facelift included rehabilitating the tennis and basketball courts, developing a new horseshoe pit, repairing the perimeter wrought iron fence, installing an eight-station exercise course, enhancing the aesthetics of the park entranceways, installing new picnic tables, repairing the community building and field house, and removing dead trees and branches. Essex County partnered with Montclair Grass Roots to obtain funding from the New Jersey Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, five off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Opened in 1910, Glenfield Park is about 20 acres. It is the 13th largest park in the Essex County Parks System.