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Thomas C. Masters' legacy lives on in Boardman Park
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
Tom and Jane Masters stand in front of St. James Meeting House in Boardman Township Park. Tom’s dad, Thomas Masters, was instrumental in getting the structure moved to the park from it’s former location, the site of the Southern Park Mall.
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
The Boardman Historical Society and the Rotary Club of Boardman had this plaque placed in Boardman Park honoring those who organized the community to save the St. James Meeting House and move it to the park.
BOARDMAN
Many township residents grow up in Boardman Township Park.
They play in KidsTown, have graduation parties at pavilions and get married at the St. James Meeting House.
But they probably don’t realize that one man was the main force behind all of it.
Thomas C. Masters was instrumental in the development of Boardman Park, and it started when he and his wife, Miriam Masters, helped move the St. James Meeting House from Market Street — where the present-day Southern Park Mall is — to its current location in 1972.
Thomas died Jan. 23 at age 89, but his legacy lives on, said Daniel Slagle, the park’s executive director.
“Obviously, he was dedicated to community service. ... But he never wanted the credit for these projects or to be in the spotlight,” Slagle said.
The Boardman Trustess and Park Commissioners each honored him with a proclamation this week, noting his contributions as a member of the historical society, rotary club and park board.
Thomas and Miriam had two children, Suzan and Tom, and the entire family grew up around the park.
“He was truly a gentleman. He was honest, caring and he loved the community. More important than anything, he loved his family,” Suzan said.
It was on a family trip to Hudson that Suzan’s father first saw a community-built playground, an idea he brought back to the township as KidsTown, which was constructed in one week by volunteers.
“Sometimes you just have to ask people and get them enthused,” said Jane (Barrett) Masters, Thomas’ daughter-in-law.
The St. James Meeting House and subsequent historical village were natural interests to Thomas and Miriam, said their son, Tom.
“My parents were sensitive to preservation and had a love of older things,” Tom said.
St. James is now the scene of more than 300 weddings annually — including that of Tommy Masters, Thomas Masters’ grandson, last year.
“He always called it ‘Pop’s park’ and was so pleased to get married here,” said Jane, Tommy’s mother.
The list of Thomas’ accomplishments is varied, ranging from the planning the first Oktoberfest to KidsTown.
But what would Thomas say his greatest achievement was?
“Adding the second entrance to the park off Southern Boulevard,” Slagle said. “He said that was his best project. If we didn’t have that now, we’d be in trouble.”