 |
 |
In Loving Memory of Stephen O'Grady: A
Hero Since I was very young my family has been involved in Little League. My sister and I played and my dad coached baseball and softball teams. Through this we met many people and there came to be a sort of extended family within the league, of people who were always available to lend a hand. One of the prominent members of this family was Stephen O'Grady. He coached baseball for Little League, coached for the high school, was a gym teacher, and was the director of the Boys and Girls Club. But, more than just holding a number of jobs, he served as a friend and role model for many young children around the city. Baseball and children are the heart of Stephen's life and he used these to reach out to the community. Stephen led his beloved baseball team, the REDS, to numerous city championships. He began working at the Boys and Girls Club and pulled it out of debt and severe problems and got it up and running again. Stephen has to be around kids. He has a need and a drive to touch the lives of children. Stephen has been a positive role model and irreplaceable part of Salem's youth. Stephen, himself, grew up without a father in his life because his father died just before he was born. Maybe this is what drove Stephen to get involved and help as many people as he could. There was never a time when he was too busy or ever turned away someone who needed him. Stephen's life was open all the time. Never was he unapproachable or not surrounded by friends, family, and his "kids". He was highly respectful, honest, genuine, independent, a true leader, and good sportsmanship. He used these qualities to teach children how to be the same way and develop their own characteristics. He went out of his way to make sure that everything was okay and right with the kids he worked with, and nothing was ever too much to do for a child in Stephen's eyes. It seems like Stephen was always a part of my life, but I
first met him when I was six years old. He helped me get into
St. John The Evangelist Elementary School, where he was the gym
teacher. I worked with him, or should I say for him, Stephen
is a supervisor not a worker when it comes to labor, in Little
League events over the years. He gave me an example of what a
real and truly good-hearted person is. I couldn't help but let
his wonderful qualities rub off on me. In September 1999 Stephen
gave me a job at the Boys and Girls Club as a youth counselor.
He has always been so generous and kind to me. This was true
for many families in the community. I had never experienced such a loss before. Until then I hadn't realized how big an influence Stephen was on me, and how devastating his death would be to myself, and the community. The line at his wake, all three nights, was around the corner and down the street. The funeral procession went on for miles and the entire city was shut down to let it pass through the streets. The power of Stephen's life was evident in this overwhelming display of respect. I could look beside me at a stranger and know how he felt. I think of Stephen often at work and its hard for me to even go near his office. I still think back to the last time I saw him on the Friday before he was killed and he asked me to get his wallet out of his car. I didn't know, that a few hours later that jeep would be totally crushed and become a tomb for Stephen. Driving in my car the other night on my way to drama rehearsal I heard a song and thought of Stephen. I began crying out of the blue because I thought of how much I miss him and how many others miss him, and all the children that lost a hero and all the children who will never get to know a hero.  |
|