Street sign, large crowd honors McGaffer’s proprietor Pat Malone

A joyful chatter rose over the corner of Roosevelt Road and Troost Avenue late Saturday morning, as a large crowd turned out to honor both a brick-and-mortar Forest Park institution and the flesh and blood man who oversaw it for nearly half a century.

More than 200 people gathered to pay thanks to McGaffer’s Saloon proprietor J. Patrick Malone, who operated McGaffer’s for 48 years until injuries from a fall inside the business led to its closure. 

All present Saturday agreed that McGaffer’s was “the best bar in Forest Park” and that Malone was much more than just a successful businessman. 

Again and again, privately and in public comments, people lauded Malone for his generosity and humility. McGaffer’s, they said, was a place that reflected the best in Forest Park’s inclusive, working folk, down to earth character, a joint where societal labels of race, gender, sexual orientation, education and income level disappeared when you walked through the door.

McGaffer’s, they said, was a place that welcomed anyone and everyone who came in goodwill and respected others while having a good time.

Underlying the celebration was a sense of loss. More than once, people who were asked to comment on what Malone has meant to them hesitated as they gathered their thoughts and appeared to be settling their emotions. 

“Give me a second, I want to phrase this correctly,” said Dave Hayes, of Oak Park, who first met Malone in 1999 and tended bar at McGaffer’s for a period. “Pat Malone is the older brother I never had,” he finally said. Hesitating again, he glanced down then looked up and said, “I love you Pat.”

Aida Olavarria said she and her sister were regulars at McGaffer’s (“We’re the twins,” she noted). When her sister’s wife had a “cancer party,” it was held at McGaffer’s. And Malone was there for them.

Olavarria said it wasn’t so much what Malone did for the community, but “What didn’t he do for the community. He was willing to do anything for anybody.”

James Harell, who now lives in Berkeley, said Malone gave him his start bartending back when he owned “The Pub” on Roosevelt in Berwyn, before Malone purchased McGaffer’s. He said he was just grateful Malone could be there to be honored after a nearly tragic accident in which he was bumped and fell to the patio floor, striking his head. 

“I’m glad he’s OK,” said Harell. “I know he had a bad fall. I’m glad he’s healthy.”

Malone spent more than a half hour before the sign unveiling talking with dozens of people, shaking hands, being hugged and posing with folks for photographs. Malone said he woke up at 4 a.m. anticipating the special day. “I feel great today,” he said with a smile. 

More than a dozen people stepped up to speak about Malone, from current mayor Rory Hoskins to former deputy police chief and former village trustee Joe Byrnes, and family members. All praised Malone as a humble man who relished helping people without seeking credit, content to stand outside of the spotlight.

“He helped in many ways people never saw,” said Byrnes. 

There was levity as well. “I’ve been in the bar business since before I was born,” quipped Malone’s daughter, Tiffany Malone Minnick. 

After all the speeches and heart-felt sentiments, it was time to unveil Malone’s new honorary street sign designating the section of Troost Avenue just north of Roosevelt as “J. Patrick Malone Way.” But there was a glitch. Malone took hold of the line attached to the sign cover through a pully and gave a tug. Then another, and another. The cover moved over a couple inches and no more, despite continued tugging. 

“C’mon, Pat!” people called in encouragement as Malone continued to tug on the line. Byrnes stepped in and tried his hand, with no success. Hoskins tried to assist, also without success.

Finally, they managed to free the line from the pulley, walked the now straight line out five or six feet and handed it to Malone. With an easy pull, the cover slipped off the sign, to boisterous cheers from the crowd.

More somber events had already taken place away from all the hoopla on Saturday afternoon. Members of Malone’s family took the more than 11-foot long wooden “McGaffer’s” sign from above the saloon’s picture window. Plans are being made to ship the treasured memento to Malone’s daughter’s home in Arizona.

The other McGaffer’s sign, an approximately 5-foot square plexi-glass illuminated sign that hung out over the sidewalk above the front door, is in the possession of John and Kristen Lyons of Forest Park.  

While there wasn’t a final bash at McGaffer’s, people were invited to an open house Saturday at the Lyon’s yard on Lathrop Avenue, to continue to celebrate Malone. 

Lyons said Malone stopped by the yard party for a spell. “I think he was getting a little choked up,” she said.

“This was the one time for the community to turn around and thank him, and they should,” said Lyons.  She added “Because he is…” before hesitating. Then, “He is the silent contributor to Forest Park. Things people don’t even know about.”

“He’s such a humble man, he never wants to be in the limelight,” Lyons said. “He’s just happy to write the checks, support a team, and just sit back and watch people come in and enjoy his facility.”

Lyons, a park district board member who also serves on the Forest Park Historical Society board, said she’s organized the Historical Society’s annual after party for the last seven years, always on the patio at McGaffer’s. She saw the extent of Malone’s generosity up close. 

“With Pat, everyone gets a free drink and you get pizza if you order food,” Lyons recalled. “And so, we’re like, ‘What’s the bar bill?’ at the end of the night. And the Historical Society pays it, and then he turns around and hands us a check for more than what the bar bill is.”

While one of the McGaffer’s signs is in their possession for the foreseeable future, both Kristen and John Lyons say it will eventually find a new home where people can see it and appreciate it for the unique part of Forest Park history that it represents. The two most viable options are the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame on Harrison by the park district ball fields, and the Historical Society.

No decision has been made yet, but one thing is for certain.

“Whatever it is, this sign is never leaving Forest Park,” John Lyons said.