The many traits of a good father

The many traits of a good father

What makes a good father? I believe the first time a man holds his newborn in his arms, thanks God for the miracle he helped to create and feels the pride swelling within his chest with the hope it would cloud the tears forming in his eyes, starts the beginning of a good father.

A good father never fails by his words and actions to let his children and loved ones know how much he loves them.

A good father leads by the example he displays.

A good father is responsible and provides for the needs of his family.

A good father talks to his children and importantly listens to them.

A good father makes time to spend with his children and family.

A good father disciplines with wisdom and guidance and not with anger, cruelty and violence.

A good father teaches his children that God created all of us and loves us equally. He teaches his children what is good and to be kind and have compassion for those less fortunate.

A good father encourages and supports what his children hope to achieve.

A good father develops a juggling act. He may find himself a coach, chauffeur, dog walker, the man pushing the lawnmower, financier, the mean person who takes away his teenagers cellphone, car keys, and TV as punishment, shopper, and referee.

To all good fathers: Take a bow, enjoy your hugs, kisses, and presents because it’s not over. In case you didn’t know it, you’re signed up for a lifetime job.

Good fathers graduate and become fantastic grandfathers.

I’ve heard it said that our children are gifts from God for us to love, nurture and cherish, until God calls for them to come home. Good parents are God’s earth- bound angels more priceless than worldly goods or gold. May God bless you and keep you safe always, never forgetting a loving and giving heart is never in want.

Mary Lou Jurina, Youngstown

Two very special fathers saluted

Happy Father’s Day to two men who went to Eternal Rest many years ago. There is no doubt in my mind that they are both with their God in heaven. The first of these men was James Eperjesi, who died on June 19, 1937.

James Eperjesi died from a gunshot wound while participating in a strike to form a union and better the working conditions of steel workers. At the time of his death, steel workers had no bargaining power. Their employment was characterized by low wages, poor fringe benefits, lack of health insurance and almost a total disregard of the worker’s safety.

Eventually, thanks to the heroism of men like James Eperjesi and the policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, unions were established, and working men were finally rewarded with a living wage, holiday pay, health care, and retirement pensions.

One of the union men benefiting from the steelworkers union was my father, Thomas Patrick Casey, who passed away on Sept. 25, 1985. Dad’s heroes were President Roosevelt and Phillip Murray, a great union leader. My dad did not know James Eperjesi, but I am absolutely sure he would have admired him and respected him. However, God has a way of influencing fate. You see, the Eperjesi and Casey families would soon have a common bond. On June 18, 1960, Kathleen Casey, daughter of Thomas Casey, and Joseph Eperjesi, son of James Eperjesi, would be married. So happy Father’s Day to James Eperjesi and Thomas Casey and happy anniversary to Joe Eperjesi and Kathleen Casey Eperjesi.

Robert E. Casey, Boardman

Put the brakes on WRTA bus plan

I am writing in response to the plan to bus St. Christine children to school on the WRTA. I have been a resident of Austintown for 36 years, and I have never been more disappointed in this place I call home. I was appalled when I read that this was even an option for my children.

I have three children age 8, 6 and 3, who attend St. Christine and St. Christine Preschool. In order to ride the WRTA bus, they would have to be dropped off at Walmart to get the first bus in the morning, have a layover at the bus terminal downtown for approximately 30 minutes, transfer to another bus, get off the bus, walk another mile to St. Christine and get to school late every day. All of this would be completely unsafe, from the unsupervised walks, to the dangerous layover at the crime ridden downtown terminal, to riding the bus alone with strangers. And even the most basic safety precautions would be missing. For example, when a school bus stops, cars have to stop while the children load and unload. With the WRTA bus there are no such safety procedures in place. Again, we are talking about an 8 year old and a 6 year old!

I refuse to have my children ride the WRTA to school. However, if my husband takes them in the morning he will be at least a half hour late for work every day. If I pick them up after school, I will need to take an hour from my work day every afternoon. This will be very hard to do.

For the sake of my children and the other St. Christine children, I ask that this plan be reconsidered and the Austintown school bus be brought back for our children. It hurts good, taxpaying citizens of Austintown and puts our children at great risk.

Melanie Sztary, Austintown