Throughout his life, Marcel Levesque has been known as a people person.  After high school in Lewiston, Maine, he joined the Navy.  His hop, the air craft carrier Bunker Hill, was hit by a Kamikaze plane, and Marcel was credited with saving the lives of numerous wounded shipmates. Following the war, Marcel went to work at the Lewiston Trust Company in his hometown, and soon after married Theresa -literally the girl next door.

In 1951, Marcel moved to Chicago to work for Harris Bank.  In 1965, Marcel moved to the Bank of Westmont, where he worked his way up to president within five years.  Though the bank was sold twice during his tenure there, Levesque was retained as President and CEO each time.  Lavesque's Bank of Westmont sponsored the powerhouse Bank of Westmont team for twenty years.  In that time "The Bank" won 18 consecutive league titles in Downers Grove and Woodridge, and played over 1,500 games, winning approximately 80 percent of them.  In the process, they won over a hundred tournaments, including the 1989 State tournament.

Levesque's support of sports wasn't limited to to elite 12-inch teams.  He generously underwrote numerous Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams, park district teams, women's fat pitch, high school sports and other 12-inch and 16-inch teams.

But the Bank of Westmont's men's team was the most successful of all his teams.  Besides dominating the local 12-inch scene, The Bank finished fifth at the 85 team 1983 USSSA World.  The following year, they were tenth in a 90 team Class A field in Anaheim, California.

"It was a real family affair at games, with wives, children, girlfriends all there cheering them on, rain or shine," says Bank of Westmont player Ron Havelka. " Marcel couldn't just stand by and watch them win, though.  He often coached and made those guys run the bases."

"I don't think there was a better sponsor in the state than Marcel through the 70's, 80's and 90's than Marcel," said former Bank player Jim Cushing.  As much as Marcel loves sports and public service, he loves more.  He and his wife Theresa have three children -Maria, John, Michael- and seven grandchildren.  One grandchild, Melissa, is following her grandfather's path, serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln in the Persian Gulf.

"To be inducted into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame is just an extraordinary honor," says Levesque. "I was so lucky to have had such dedicated players.  Win or lose, they were always winners and we had so much respect for each other."

"I feel very humble and proud."