SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Illos retires, co-founder of Community Services
by JESSICA L. FINCH

Tony Illos

When he needed assistance the most, Tony Illos found it wasn't there. More than 40 years ago he discovered there were very few facilities to assist his daughter, who was born with Down syndrome.

"They were considered a closet population, kept home, out of the public eye," the Amherst resident said.

Illos then made it his mission to improve services provided to disabled individuals and to change the public's way of thinking.

After working with many organizations, including People Inc., he became a founding board member of Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled.

At the end of 2006, he officially retired from the board on which he had volunteered for 17 years. Illos is a past president and treasurer of the board.

Community Services has grown since its founding, serving more than 1,500 individuals through a variety of programs and housing.

"There are stigmas attached to disabilities that had to be overcome," Illos said. "We had to say, 'It shouldn't be this way.'"

Illos's efforts helped families just like his. Through his service, programs were created that helped entire families. One of his initiatives, along with Mark R. Foley, president and chief executive officer of Community Services, was creating an In-Home program for adults who chose to live in their own homes.

His dedication extends beyond Western New York. He has developed a number of innovative programs used to educate the community on disability issues and has advocated for change at the local, county and state levels.

"A strong focus was put on what disabled people need and how they can communicate those needs," he said.

Illos was recognized for his level of service, which ranged from rolling up his sleeves at fundraisers to setting the foundation that is Community Services.

In addition to his years as a board member, he dedicated many years as a parent advocating for the development of schools, programs and living facilities for the disabled.

He said he faced a lot of resistance at first because the community didn't know what the organizations were about.

"It has been really satisfying to see what was accomplished," Illos said. "It was great to see what we started with and what (Community Services) has grown to what it is now."

It was the people he met that kept Illos involved for so many years. He said each year he would say, "one more ... one more year."

"I never planned to spend 17 years on the board, but I just never had a chance to look at my watch. There was always work that needed to be done," he said when announcing his retirement. "There is still much work left to be done. Thankfully, individuals with developmental disabilities have gained more rights and are advocating for greater change. The future is bright."

In the mid-1960s Illos joined a group of parents who represented what was referred to then as a school for retarded children. In 1977 he joined the board at People Inc., serving as treasurer and then as president. He also helped with fundraising for the Cantalician Center where his daughter attended school - which Illos said he was very fortunate to find.

When Illos first started his mission, the state was just beginning to review homes for the disabled, finding they were improperly run and understaffed. Today the area is fortunate to have many services such as those provided by Community Services.

Illos said in addition to being an advocate, he also sought funding sources for disabled individuals.

Upon Illos's retirement, Foley commented on his service.

"Tony's leadership at the birth of our organization set a foundation for Community Services to thrive and evolve into one of Western New York's largest and most distinctive nonprofit agencies," Foley said. "I consider him a mentor, an inspiration, and most importantly, a very good friend.