Grandpa Steph with Tim "the blade"

Sunday, June 25th
Washington, DC

Meet the Press and Tim Russert. In a way this is my usual Sunday morning routine with some notable exceptions. First off instead of rolling over and turning on the TV and making a pot of coffee I actually got to watch the show in person. The experience did not disappoint. The studio was sparse, we sat on temporary bleachers and it was freezing. The latter topic I rather enjoyed because I am someone who sweats profusely.

The guests as I mentioned before were Senator Russ Feingold (D) Wisconsin and a panel of political columnists, writers, and commentators featuring David Broder, Ron Brownstein, David Gregory and Anne Kornblut. The topic of was Iraq and an exit strategy. Here is a link to the show’s transcript. (LINK) After the show Mr. Russert spent about 45 minutes talking with the students and answering questions. He is as personable live as he is on TV. The students really responded to him. He spoke about how he prepares for each show and the way he goes about deciding both the questions to ask and his comfort level in topics. Russert spoke of never asking about children and when is appropriate to press and not press. He spoke about both of the books he has written. Russert was patient and answered EVERY question the students had. In the end he left them with the some advice, the same he gave his son went he to college. Russert stated, “Study hard, laugh often, and never lose your honor.” Simple but sage advice.

When he spoke of his father, a WWII veteran with a 10th grade education who worked two jobs, trash man and truck driver, and could not but help think about both of my Grandfathers. Russert’s first book, Big Russ and Me, talked about his father, growing up in Buffalo, NY, his education, career, and life lessons in general. I spoke about this before but both of Grandpas Kerr and Stephany worked really one job there entire life. Grandpa Kerr joined the railroad right after getting out of the pacific theater in WWII and worked there until his retirement. Grandpa Steph worked in the paper mill right after leaving Findlay College until his retirement in addition he helped my Grandma Steph run her Catering Business, Stephany Catering. These are times gone by. The days when hard working people could earn a good wage for hard work and better not only their lives but future generations are fading. This is the American Dream that is slowly disappearing from the landscape of American stories. Each subsequent generation feels the obligation, duty, and pleasure of helping the next one do better. Although I’ve stumbled many times and wil no doubtly stray off the path from time to time the lessons of my grandparents will never be forgotten. I am part of a yet unfinished story. Each member of the family adds chapters and stories. Brokaw labled them the greatest generation, I agree. I thonk of my recently deceased Grandpa Steph and it motivates me to a better son, brother, cousin, godfather, teacher, friend, and person.

Here is my Gpa Steph’s obit.

John F. Stephany, age 87, a resident of St. Joseph Apartments, Erie, PA and formerly of Stuart, Fla., passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2006 following a brief illness. He was born on October 21, 1918 in Erie, Pa. He was an only child of the late George L. and Mary Jagodzinski Stephany. John was a proud 1937 graduate of East High School. He was class President and played football for the East High Warriors. He received a football scholarship to Findlay College. He was employed with Hammermill for 42 years, retiring in 1982. During his years at Hammermill, he served as President of the Hammermill Credit Union and was on the Board of Directors for many years. He was active in the Republican Party and the Boy Scouts of America and was a recipient of the Order of the Arrow Award. He and his wife Madeline were the original owners of Stephany’s Catering. They had resided in Stuart, Fla. for the last 20 years and had recently moved back to Erie. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jack Theiss. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Madeline MacKrell Stephany, three sons, Mike Stephany and his wife Cheryl, David Stephany and his wife Sue, William Stephany and his wife Patti, two daughters, Mary Theiss and Katherine “Kitty” Bailey and her husband Ron. Fifteen grandchildren, Julie Boam and her husband Mike, Jeffrey Theiss and his wife Dena, Christine Turner and her husband Brian, Jonathan Theiss and his wife Lisa, John Stephany, Jr, Keri Stephany, Brian Bailey and his fiancé Linda Emmons, Greg Bailey, Timothy Bailey, Andrew, Katey, Jennifer, Alexis, Elizabeth “Buffy” and Matthew Stephany and one great-grandchild, Jillian Turner. Friends may call at the Francis V. Kloecker Funeral Home, Inc. 2502 Sassafras St. on Thursday evening from 7-9 and also on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and are invited to a service there on Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at St. Jude’s Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Emmaus Ministries, 345 East 9th St., Erie, PA 16503, East High School Library, 1001 Atkins St., Erie, PA 16503 or to the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute, 100 Barber Place, Erie, PA 16507. Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits. Published in the Erie Times-News from 2/16/2006 - 2/17/2006.