A Life on Wheels: Porter Place Celebrates Tinley Park Roller Rink Owner’s Legacy

Bob Meyers

Freelance Reporter

For decades, Raymond Quitter poured his heart into the Tinley Park skating rink he founded, creating a place where families gathered, friendships grew and generations made memories on wheels. Now, after passing the beloved rink to his son, Quitter will be honored by family, friends and fellow residents of Porter Place during a special skate party from 4pm to 7pm on June 18th at the Tinley Park Roller Rink located at 17658 Oak Park, Ave., Tinley Park.

The event will recognize Quitter, a Porter Place resident, for his lifelong dedication to the rink and the countless joyful moments it brought to the Tinley Park community. During the celebration, the seniors will have an opportunity to experience the rink firsthand and revisit the feeling of roller skating, with staff members helping guide residents around the rink so they can share in the fun safely and comfortably.

The gathering will also give Quitter a chance to share his passion for skating with his friends at Porter Place while celebrating the memories, music and movement that made the rink such a meaningful part of his life.

Residents will sell T-shirts and candles they made to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association, adding a charitable purpose to the afternoon’s celebration.

“This celebration is about honoring Raymond not only for the rink he built, but for the joy he gave to so many people over the years,” said Teresa Sims, Life Engagement Director for Porter Place. “We are thrilled to help him share that part of his life with his Porter Place family and to give our residents a chance to relive the simple happiness of music, movement and being together.”

Porter Place, an Anthem Memory Care community, is located at 17833 Harlem Ave., Tinley Park. Anthem’s core purpose is to protect, engage, and love people living with memory loss and is committed to provide understanding and significance to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Anthem, based in West Linn, Ore., operates and develops memory care communities in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. 

The company’s website is AnthemMemoryCare.com.