Ran Homer’s Restaurant
Lifelong Forest Park resident Robert (Tony) Bale, 83, died on July 23, 2022. After graduating from Roosevelt Military Academy and Marquette University, he joined his father and spent two decades running Homer’s Restaurant, which itself became a community hub and Madison Street institution as its banquet rooms hosted many organizations and events. A great family man, he worked long hours at the restaurant in order to provide a comfortable life for his children, with nice vacations and wonderful Christmases. Following the sale of Homer’s, he owned and operated La Maison de Bonbon for several years, also located on Madison Street. Later in life he went into nursing and retirement home administration and helped develop Montgomery Place in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood.
A generous and caring man, he loved his hometown of Forest Park, was active in the community as a member of many service organizations. He served as Kiwanis Club president, Chamber of Commerce president, and Fire and Police commissioner. He was also instrumental in starting the Annual Forest Park All-School Picnic.
Tony was the father of Michael and Jennifer, brother of the late William and Susan, son of the late Ann and Homer, former husband to Jane Doolan Bale, and friend to many.
Visitation was held on July 31 at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home, 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Aug. 1 at St. Bernardine Catholic Church, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
Tony served as a founding and longtime board member of the Children’s Place Association, a Chicago charity providing services to children facing health issues and poverty. He continued in that role until very recently. Memorial donations to Children’s Place Association are appreciated.
