Tribute - John Heieeck
I'm John Heieck. I've decided to follow in the footsteps of Frank and Guy and write my class tribute, since so computer illiterate
In June,1955, I delivered the class valedictorian speech (yes, I still have it) entitled, "The Spirit of American". I noted "it is the tradition in American to give the individual every opportunity to make a better life for himself and his family". Although it was a joyful occasion, I was very worried.
Three years earlier, my family had moved to Duarte from a small Irish enclave outside Boston. In the following years, I had to attend public schools. From my point of view, those years were a disaster! My teachers had been recruited from retirement due to the surge in population from the American migration to California. They didn't appear to be happy to be in the classroom and their lessons were mediocre. In fact, they didn't teach me anything new that I had not already learned in the Catholic elementary school that my mother had attended in Boston......After discussing my concerns about attending the local public high school, I asked my parents to send me to Pomona Catholic High, 22 miles away.
Pomona Catholic didn't disappoint! It was everything I hoped and expected. Sister Benilda ran a "tight ship" and set high standards for the school. Her nuns were enthusiastic and challenging---several even funny. Every day was a new adventure, a new learning experience......Sister Theophane's recruitment and mentoring me in journalism added another dimension to my school experience. I learned how to "run and manage" an organization--the school newspaper--and the hard work necessary for success......Upon graduation, I knew I had made a great decision years earlier. I also knew I had the foundation and the tools to succeed in whatever I chose to do.
In my tribute, I can't ignore the Class of '59, itself. It was a complete surprise! It was (and still is) special. Like Mormillo and Sidenfaden, I was an "outsider", traveling from afar. I was nervous the first few days. But the class members welcomed me as if, I too, had graduated from their Parish school. Within a short time, I considered PCH "home", and life became much easier.
I retired 8 years ago--and the transition initially wasn't easy. I missed the operating room which I always considered a sacred place--not night call. For several years we considered our next step. Finally, we left our home of 30 years and moved to Tucson to be near family. We only lived in our first house 8 months--too much desert, too many snakes. We moved into town and are remodeling our house.
Sheila and I celebrate our 50th anniversary next year. We are blessed with 6 children and 8 grandchildren. Three of our children now live in AZ which allows us to see half our family more frequently. Our oldest grandchild is attending U of Chicago and our youngest are 3 y/o twins.
I hope my family/friends remember me as a "devoted husband and father/ talented and compassionate surgeon".
Each morning I start my day with 2 prayers. I once read that "old age is a gift and not a right". I thank God for his gift. Secondly, I also have read the thoughts of Abraham Lincoln in a in a speech he delivered in January, 1838. He said "If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must follow through all times or die by suicide". In these dangerous and turbulent times, I pray for the wellbeing of our country.
I want to thank Anne for her patience with me!
Hope to see everyone at our reunion next year(?)
God bless everyone......And God Bless America
John
