There was laughter, memories and tears Friday afternoon, at the opening of the Albert E. Pelham Sports Complex in Glenfield Park.
Pelham, a Montclair native and lifelong community leader, served as president of the Montclair NAACP, president of Montclair African American Heritage Foundation and executive director of Montclair Neighborhood Development Corp. Pelham prioritized youth, starting programs for students in local Montclair schools, and was a fierce advocate for civil rights. He died in 2021.
Nearly two years later, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the sports complex in his name, joined by community leaders and family who remembered Pelham and his impact.
The Albert E. Pelham Sports Complex includes the Wally Choice Community Center, Bobby Hurt Basketball Courts and the Terry Demming Little League Field. More than 75 people gathered on the basketball courts in the rain to honor Pelham. Family members of Pelham wore matching shirts displaying a rendering of the sports complex on the back. Former Mayor Robert Jackson officiated at the event and told the audience he couldn’t think of anyone “more deserving of this honor.”
Rev. Craig Dunn, executive director of the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corp., recalled the fervor Pelham brought to his community and his relationships. Dunn said Pelham consoled multiple people over the years, and when his own mother died, Pelham unexpectedly showed up to Dunn’s house and prayed with him. “I know you can have the biggest headstone in the cemetery, you can have the longest obituary ever written, but if you have not written on the hearts of other people with an indelible hand and ink of love, then nothing else matters,” Dunn said.
Fourth Ward Councilman David Cummings remembered standing on the same basketball court and being coached by Pelham. Cummings said family traditions such as taking his daughters to the movies every Friday came from Pelham. Cummings affectionately called Pelham by his nickname “Pine,” and told stories of the way that Pelham’s leadership benefitted the whole. During the pandemic, Pelham was the driving force behind a program that brought students together for remote learning at the Wally Choice Community Center. “Pine was a different kind of man. He was a man of integrity and courage, forthright and honest,” Cummings said.
Pelham’s daughter, Rhonda Fischer, spoke about her father on behalf of the Pelham family. “I do feel like I can say with confidence that we are all proud and humbled and deeply appreciative of this beautiful tribute to the life and the legacy of a man who meant so much to Essex County, the Township of Montclair, and the people in this very community in the Fourth Ward of Montclair,” she said.
Essex County Executive DiVincenzo, Jr. closed the ceremony by speaking about the relationship he had, not only with Pelham, but also the late Wallace Choice, recently celebrated at the new Wally Choice Community Center. “When Al was there, Wally was there and they worked together as a team,” DiVincenzo Jr. said. “Al Pelham was a strong proponent of programs that aided families in need, benefited the development of children and fostered fairness, equity and justice. Al loved Glenfield Park and could be found there almost every day, meeting with senior citizens, cheering on young athletes in recreation programs or hosting gatherings to bring the community together.”