George Shadid and Pete Vonachen Talk on the Legacy of Jim Maloof
By: Andrew Barra WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: January 21, 2013
Many people considered former mayor Jim Maloof one of Peoria's "good ol boys" in the eighties.
George Shadid and Pete Vonachen, who along with Maloof made up Peoria's "Three Musketeers", sat down with us on Monday, a day after Maloof's death.
Vonachen said, "When you lose people like Jim Maloof, there seems like there's no one else coming behind him."
Before Pete Vonachen was known as Peoria's Mr. Baseball, he was friends with Maloof.
"To be a friend with Jim Maloof is like being a firned with an icon," said Vonachen. "Every city has an icon, but Peoria has a special icon with Jim Maloof."
And before former State Senator George Shadid ran for Sheriff, he too, was good friends with Maloof.
"I worked at their cleaners when I was 14 years old, scrubbing and washing rugs at about 25 cents an hour," said Shadid. "Him and I got along pretty well. We joked with each other quite a bit."
If you saw one of these guys at a public function, chances are, the other two weren't far behind.
"We used to paddle around together," said Vonachen. "We had a group of guys that'd go to dinner every once in a while."
In a time was Peoria seemed to be down-and-out, these guys said it was Maloof who was that cheer leader the city needed.
"He was so upbeat about our city," said Vonachen. "Everything was positive."
"Jim was a guy that just made friends very easily, because of his personality and he could talk to people," Shadid added.
"He didn't want to leave here," said Vonachen. "All he wanted to do was make people come here."
And now that Maloof is gone. Both Shadid and Vonachen agree - Peoria will miss their musketeer.
"A lot of people liked him," said Shadid. "There were some people - you know, not everyone likes you, but I think Jim was good for out community."
Vonachen added, "He is one of a kind, and you don't find guys whoa re going to be dedicated like that anymore. There just aren't."
George Shadid and Pete Vonachen, who along with Maloof made up Peoria's "Three Musketeers", sat down with us on Monday, a day after Maloof's death.
Vonachen said, "When you lose people like Jim Maloof, there seems like there's no one else coming behind him."
Before Pete Vonachen was known as Peoria's Mr. Baseball, he was friends with Maloof.
"To be a friend with Jim Maloof is like being a firned with an icon," said Vonachen. "Every city has an icon, but Peoria has a special icon with Jim Maloof."
And before former State Senator George Shadid ran for Sheriff, he too, was good friends with Maloof.
"I worked at their cleaners when I was 14 years old, scrubbing and washing rugs at about 25 cents an hour," said Shadid. "Him and I got along pretty well. We joked with each other quite a bit."
If you saw one of these guys at a public function, chances are, the other two weren't far behind.
"We used to paddle around together," said Vonachen. "We had a group of guys that'd go to dinner every once in a while."
In a time was Peoria seemed to be down-and-out, these guys said it was Maloof who was that cheer leader the city needed.
"He was so upbeat about our city," said Vonachen. "Everything was positive."
"Jim was a guy that just made friends very easily, because of his personality and he could talk to people," Shadid added.
"He didn't want to leave here," said Vonachen. "All he wanted to do was make people come here."
And now that Maloof is gone. Both Shadid and Vonachen agree - Peoria will miss their musketeer.
"A lot of people liked him," said Shadid. "There were some people - you know, not everyone likes you, but I think Jim was good for out community."
Vonachen added, "He is one of a kind, and you don't find guys whoa re going to be dedicated like that anymore. There just aren't."
