Those who knew him best said longtime Pembroke resident Tommy McCormick loved to have fun.

Today, a place designed with that in mind will be officially dedicated in his honor as the Tommy McCormick Play Park at a 10 a.m. ceremony. The park will not only serve as a reminder of McCormick’s fun-loving personality, but also his devotion to the community, Pembroke Mayor Judy Cook said.

"Tommy was a personal friend who was always available to give good advice or just to listen," She said.

McCormick, a booster at Bryan County High School in the 1980s, was involved in helping raise money to bring football to the Pembroke school. But he also was heavily involved in recreation sports.

"He just loved the city of Pembroke and loved the youth and children here," said Jeanne McCormick, his wife.

And that wasn’t all.

"He was a fun-loving person," she said. "You never saw him when he didn’t have a smile on his face."

A donation of $100,000 to the city of Pembroke from Jeanne McCormick helped fund the refurbishment of the playground area and tennis courts and construction of the skate park, which was designed by the Tony Hawk Foundation. Naming the park in honor of McCormick was Cook’s idea.

"The dedication of the Tommy McCormick Play Park will be a living legacy to remind us and future generations of the importance of play," she said.

An avid sportsman who loved whitewater rafting and motorcycles, McCormick would have loved the idea of a play area being named in his honor, Jeanne McCormick said.

"He was a total and complete optimist," she said. "No matter what happened, he managed to look on the bright side. He often asked me, ‘how important will this be six months from now?’ He believed in laughter and fun and enjoying life. He would be very pleased. It’s a fitting memorial of him."

The ceremony at the park, which is located behind the Bryan County Courthouse, is open to the public. Refreshments will be served. In addition, all interested skateboarders are invited to attend, but must bring safety gear.