Don Bain celebrates 50 years with Palos Hills

“I don’t like a lot of fanfare – I just do what I do,” said Don Bain, who has worked for Palos Hills Public Works for 50 years.

At the Sept. 18 Palos HIlls City Council meeting, Bain was honored by Mayor Gerald Bennett, the council, and his family for a half century of service.

“I can’t say enough how much public works does,” Bennett said.

“These are the guys who are out on the street through 100-degree days and in the middle of winter when it’s 10 below zero,” he said.

Don Bain speaks at the Sept. 18 Palos Hills City Council meeting, where he was honored for 50 years of service with the city’s public works department. (Photo by Nuha Abdessalam)

“A lot of towns farm that work out, but we do it in-house,” Bennett added, “Over the years, they’ve saved the city millions of dollars.”

“When I think of the person we’re honoring here tonight, he’s been around longer than I have,” Bennett said. “That’s a lot; his dedication gives us industry.”

Bain, who described himself as someone who just keeps working, reflected on how much has changed since he started.

“I’ve been through a lot of changes and seen a lot of progression,” he said. “The first building we were in didn’t even have a bathroom – and some of the trucks didn’t run – I can’t believe it’s been 50 years,” Bain said.

“Where does the time go? A lot of good things have happened, I’m humbled,” Bain added.

The surprise celebration caught him off guard, he shared, comparing it to when his kids once threw him a surprise birthday party.

His four daughters: Michelle Bain, Jeanette Bain, Sarah Mularz, and Mary Beth Evashenk, joined city officials for the recognition.

Evashenk called her father a role model.

“He’s dedicated,” she said. “We’re so proud of him because he is a big part of this community and a great example of what dedication looks like.”

His daughter Michelle, put it simply.

“To know your dad has been loyal for the last 50 years? That’s a lot of integrity,” she said. “He’s always been a hard worker.”

Bennett said that Bain’s service followed in the footsteps of his father, who was one of the city’s first public works employees in 1958. He called it a family tradition of hard work in the city.