Griffith clerk-treasurer dies after stroke

GRIFFITH | Bill Broderick's positive attitude and bright outlook will be missed by the people he worked with each day, town officials said.

Broderick, Griffith's newly elected clerk-treasurer, died Sunday, officials said. He was 53.

He had suffered a stroke Friday and was kept on life support until Sunday to donate his organs, Town Councilman Rick Ryfa said.

"He was just positive all the time," Ryfa said. "He never talked bad about anybody; he would go out of his way to help anybody."

Ryfa, who saw Broderick each morning, said his friend's dedication to the town will be missed.

Broderick was elected clerk-treasurer in November after Ron Szafarczyk retired from the office.

"He certainly took the job very seriously, and you could tell by the many hours that he put in just in the short time he was here," Ryfa said.

Councilman George Jerome had known Broderick for more than 20 years. He worked with him at Inland Steel in Broderick's earlier career, Jerome said.

Jerome worked in operations while Broderick worked in the company's accounting department. Broderick also had worked for the University of Chicago's purchasing group, Jerome said.

When the opening came for clerk-treasurer, Jerome thought Broderick would be the best candidate for the position and urged him to campaign.

Broderick had more than 25 years experience in accounting and finance management when he ran for his first publicly elected position.

"I knew him to be, one, a bright guy, a very personable man and one that could do the town of Griffith a lot of good," he said.

A Republican caucus will be held to name a replacement, Ryfa said.

"But it's way too early for us to even start dealing with that issue until we can get through the next week or so," he said. "We're still letting the numbness from the shock wear off."

Broderick was an active member of St. Mary Church in Griffith and had two children, Ryfa said.

He was enthusiastic about his new job and had many ideas to help the town run more efficiently, Jerome said.

"I don't know anyone who knew Bill who didn't like him," he said. "He was a man who was hard not to like."