Hard work defines our area

I have always admired people who perform hard physical labor tasks such as building tradesmen, farmers, etc. After spending several weeks at The Greenbriar Healthcare facilities in Boardman, Ohio, to recuperate from a back operation, I must add a few more hard working skills — namely, nurses, nurse’s aides, occupational and physical therapists.

I recall the first names of some of the stellar performers such as: Amanda, Angel, Ann, Cathy, Dan, Dot, Imani, Gidget, Imonie, Heather, Jereen, Gwen, Juvonda, Latoya, Leona, Leslie, Maggie, Melissa, Regina, Shani, Shar and Zach. I would like to give them their moment of glory in the sun. I almost forgot to mention sternist taskmaster of them all, Mary.

The Mahoning Valley has been known for its tough people doing tough jobs. We not only have the Meander Dam Reservoir with some of Ohio’s best drinking water but a reservoir of top notch workers.

As a retired quality control manager in both rubber and steel manufacturing, I would put products manufactured here against any in the world. We are world class.

During my 35-year career of work as a middle manager, I traveled in many states to visit satellite plants, and in many areas they put recreation such as fishing first and report off. Here we put work first.

As an example, my father Giovanni (John) Lacivita set an attendance record at Truscon Steel Mfg. Co. as a welder for not taking a day off and working 60 days straight in the 1950’s.

Michael J. Lacivita is a Youngstown retiree and member of the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.