Most Slot Car Racers in the greater Chicago area have either been to or heard of Dads Slot Cars in Des Plaines, IL.
It is a very retro place- part slot car track and part ice cream parlor. Visitors were greeted by a huge neon Art Deco sign- which if you have ever seen it, it is burned into your memory.
The original Chris Dadds tracks (Orange replica and Tri-Oval) still negative gate to this day. No room for pit space and no modern timing system so an organized racing program was not possible. It was just a place to enjoy running your cars or have parties. Sometimes I wonder if it was by design because I heard it said more than once that the owner didn't care much for “racers".
Unfortunately, I heard today of the passing of its somewhat quirky owner... here is the obituary:
Thomas J. Pelletiere age 75 of Des Plaines passed away on November 14, 2018.
Beloved husband of Reba for 49 years. Loving father of Tom Jr. (Karen) Pelletiere, Sue (Anthony) Almerigi, Mary (Ryan) Heider, Vito (Bobbi) Pelletiere, and Margaret (AJ) Cruz. Cherished grandfather of AJ, Faith, Tommy, Vito Jr., Emily, Nicky, Becky, Josh, Charlotte, Ruby, and Vicky. Dear Brother of the late Bill (Mary Ann) Pelletiere, and the late Patty (BoB) Proksa. He is also survived by many loving friends.
It is a very retro place- part slot car track and part ice cream parlor. Visitors were greeted by a huge neon Art Deco sign- which if you have ever seen it, it is burned into your memory.
The original Chris Dadds tracks (Orange replica and Tri-Oval) still negative gate to this day. No room for pit space and no modern timing system so an organized racing program was not possible. It was just a place to enjoy running your cars or have parties. Sometimes I wonder if it was by design because I heard it said more than once that the owner didn't care much for “racers".
Unfortunately, I heard today of the passing of its somewhat quirky owner... here is the obituary:
Thomas J. Pelletiere age 75 of Des Plaines passed away on November 14, 2018.
Beloved husband of Reba for 49 years. Loving father of Tom Jr. (Karen) Pelletiere, Sue (Anthony) Almerigi, Mary (Ryan) Heider, Vito (Bobbi) Pelletiere, and Margaret (AJ) Cruz. Cherished grandfather of AJ, Faith, Tommy, Vito Jr., Emily, Nicky, Becky, Josh, Charlotte, Ruby, and Vicky. Dear Brother of the late Bill (Mary Ann) Pelletiere, and the late Patty (BoB) Proksa. He is also survived by many loving friends.
Tom met Reba at Fastex in Des Plaines and shortly after got married at First Congregational Church of Des Plaines in 1969.
They bought the house of their dreams and made it a home, raising their 5 children. All of which are raising families of their own in Des plaines with his 11 grandchildren with one on the way.
Family was always most important and he raised his kids to know that. Spending summers in Michigan to vacationing in Melaque, Mexico. Everything he did was always for his family.
In 1977 he opened Tin Lizzie Antique Auto Parts in downtown Des Plaines. There his name was made restoring antique cars and motorcycles. From the Barber chair to the airplanes on the ceiling, he always had a vision.
In 1992 he proudly opened Dads Slot Cars in downtown Des Plaines making memories for not only his own children but for kids of all ages and their families.
We invite everyone to make memories with us and share your memories of Tom on Saturday December 15th from 12:00 to 3:00pm at Dads Slot Cars at 700 Lee Street, Des Plaines, Illinois, celebrating his gift of life and his legacy with racing surrounded by everyone that knew him.
"Friends will come and friends may go but family will last forever”...Dad.
Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home. For info please call (847) 699-9003 or glhillsfuneralhome.com
They bought the house of their dreams and made it a home, raising their 5 children. All of which are raising families of their own in Des plaines with his 11 grandchildren with one on the way.
Family was always most important and he raised his kids to know that. Spending summers in Michigan to vacationing in Melaque, Mexico. Everything he did was always for his family.
In 1977 he opened Tin Lizzie Antique Auto Parts in downtown Des Plaines. There his name was made restoring antique cars and motorcycles. From the Barber chair to the airplanes on the ceiling, he always had a vision.
In 1992 he proudly opened Dads Slot Cars in downtown Des Plaines making memories for not only his own children but for kids of all ages and their families.
We invite everyone to make memories with us and share your memories of Tom on Saturday December 15th from 12:00 to 3:00pm at Dads Slot Cars at 700 Lee Street, Des Plaines, Illinois, celebrating his gift of life and his legacy with racing surrounded by everyone that knew him.
"Friends will come and friends may go but family will last forever”...Dad.
Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home. For info please call (847) 699-9003 or glhillsfuneralhome.com
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