The Lakeview Park Rose Garden had a long history of excellence dating back to its humble beginnings in 1932. One of the original members of the planning team was John Kretovics. He was there lending a helping hand in preparing the ground, laying out the planting beds and planting the many varieties of roses. John took great pride in this rose garden, tending to the roses as if they were in his own yard. In fact, the nickname of "John's Rose Garden" was well earned by this passionate man, who spent countless hours working on something he loved and believed in, and knowing full well what this garden also meant to the Lorain Community. John tended to the roses diligently over the next eleven years, helping the garden to become one of the most beautiful in the area. However on one unusually hot day in the summer of 1943, with the temerature hovering around 85 degrees, George Chrehore, Park Superintendent, stopping by to check in on John and see how he was doing, John stated that "he was feeling fine". Ironically, thirty minutes later, at approximately 11:30 a.m., someone saw feet sticking out amongst the bushes. It was John found laying on the ground in the bushes he so loved. Unforunatley, even though he was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital. he passed away later that afternoon at the age of seventy three. John was doing what he did best; working in the rose garden. The Lakeview Park Rose Garden lost it most dedicated caretaker that day