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Faber Field has been in the Glen Rock headlines over the last couple of years - to turf or not to turf? - but many residents may not know its history. It was known simply as the Doremus Oval until October 11, 1957 when it was renamed the “Captain John J. Faber Memorial Field”. Faber was a proud member of the Glen Rock Police Department for 26 years. He was also the driving force behind the Glen Rock Athletic Club’s very successful semi-pro baseball team, “The Rockers”, which played home games on the Doremus Oval. Faber was such a successful and inspirational Manager for the team that several high-profile players - Whitey Ford, Johnny VanderMeer and Larry Doby, to name a few - came to play for him. John J. Faber died in September 1954, still on active duty as a Glen Rock police officer.

Faber Field was dedicated on October 11, 1957:

DOREMUS AVE. OVAL DEDICATED TO FABER GLEN ROCK- Official dedication of the Doremus Avenue oval as John J. Faber Memorial Field was attended yesterday by more than 100 residents. An impressive ceremony was opened by William Saalfeld, son-in-law of the late police captain in whose memory the field is named. He spoke of the pride he felt and the pride of the community in the handsome monument and plaque which stood at the entrance to the field. The Rev. M. V. Oggel, pastor of the Community Church, gave a dedicatory prayer after which Mayor Frederick A. Demarest unveiled the plaque, which is at the front and center of a curved wall flanked with shrubbery. Mayor Demarest spoke of the vision that Capt. Faber had for the community, and especially for the youth of Glen Rock. He told of the many things the police officer did for others without seeking personal commendation or recognition. Capt. Faber realized the true values of life, the mayor said. The late police officer will be remembered more for the work he did for youth than for his police career, the mayor added. This is just the way, Captain Faber would want it to be, the mayor concluded. The monument and plaque were given to the community by the Glen Rock Athletic Club, of which Captain Faber was the founder. The shrubbery was given by the Glen Rock Fire Department and Glen Rock Local 110, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. Following the dedicatory ceremony, teams from the Athletic Club and the Fire Department played a five-inning softball game.

Art by Jim Aber

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