If you were like many of us when we were in school, we found a part-time job and that was a good thing. We didn’t get rich due to our hourly pay, but we made a few dollars and that made it all worthwhile.
The pay was nice, but we also gained valuable experience spending our time in the workplace which really produced dividends then and later in life.
It’s a good bet if you joined the workforce in your community, albeit part-time, you remember your boss and your very first day like it was yesterday.
For me, it all began when I was just 14 working after school for 1.5 hours Monday thru Friday and 6 hours on Saturday at a shoe repair shop back in Ashland.
My boss was Johnny Oliverio who was the owner and he gave me a chance to earn some money and gain valuable experience along the way.
It was 1952 and my pay was a whopping 40 cents per hour with my responsibilities of sweeping up and even shining shoes and running errands for the boss.
The hours were just perfect and didn’t interfere with my schoolwork at all.
History’s time frame of the early 1950’s was a great time to grow as time quickly passed by to 1953 when I was hired part-time at Sears to work the Holidays from November to Christmas and even through the summer months as well.
My Christmas schedule was after school till closing and a few hours on Saturdays. My responsibilities included working the loading dock and even assembling toys along with bicycles and tricycles.
One of the plus factors of my Sears job was meeting and working with other teenagers who became good friends. It was a win-win situation.
Christmas 1955 brought about my return to Sears, but this time I was assigned to a “will-call” area where customers would come to pick up their layaways.
The Spring of 1956 brought about my high school graduation and the beginning of my college years that fall. For the next few years my studies and activities kept me very occupied.
However, I decided to return to Sears and hopefully work through the summer months of 1959 and save some money for my return to college that fall.
Having worked at Sears earlier greatly increased my chances of return as I was hired and subsequently assigned to work in the sports department as a clerk. So, with my white shirt and tie and meeting our customers – it seemed like an exciting way to work through the summer.
However, Monday morning as I reported to work my boss introduced me to a lady who was returning to her position in the sports department after having surgery.
I was informed that I would no longer be needed in the sports department and he would try and reassign me to the paint department. However, the manager of the paint department explained that he didn’t need extra assistance and there was nothing for me to do there.
The boss then explained he knew where I would be welcome and fit right in. It turned out to be across the street in the Sears new tires department.
Keep in mind, that in my entire life had I ever worked at changing and balancing tires. I explained that to the boss – it fell on deaf ears.
He introduced me to the departmental manager who explained that he had a full staff and did not need any assistance at all. He asked where I had previously worked, changing tires and my answer that I never had, he just shook his head in disbelief.
So, my reassignment tour was now 0-2!
The boss was adamant he was going to find me some work to do. Find it he did.
We went back to the rear of the main building where the loading dock was located where Sears attendants were loading items into customers vehicles. However, the boss then came up with an unbelievable solution.
He instructed me to use a bucket and a rake and climb down into the freight elevator pit and clean out the debris and garbage. I quickly let him know that I had a distinct fear of the elevator coming down on top of me while I was in the pit.
He stated that couldn’t happen and when I finished to come see him and he would find me more work-related chores. I finished in about 20 minutes.
By this time, the summer sun was high in the sky.
I was told to meet him in the paint department and pick up supplies. As I arrived, he handed me 4 gallons of aluminum paint, two brushes, scraper and sandpaper.
I was then directed to follow him to the top of the Sears building where doors opened to the roof. He brought along a small ladder.
My orders were to prepare and paint two large 7 feet high air conditioning units and when finished, contact him so he could inspect the paint of the two monster A/C units.
It was nearly 3:30 p.m. when I came down into the store and advised him, I had the units painted. He inspected them and told me I did a good job.
My workday was due to end at 5 p.m. and he noted that I still had time continue with some roof duties as he returned with a huge scraper and large tin can.
My instructions were simple enough. I was instructed to inspect the roof’s concrete railings while scraping off bird feces into the can. I was told to notify him when I had finished as I likely would be released for the remainder of the day.
I thought about it for about 10 seconds and then quietly explained that I had cleaned out an elevator shaft, painted two A/C units in the blistering sun, but I drew the line when I was told to scrape bird feces into a can with the July heat index likely being in the mid 90’s.
I told him I would make it easy as I resigned on the spot.
As I left the roof, I wondered why he didn’t just send me home. I guess I’ll never know.
So, now you know the true story of how I spent my LAST DAY at work – high atop the Sears building in downtown Ashland.
After 67 years, the bare truth stings even today.
I doubt anyone ever read what I painted on the back side of one of the A/C units.
It simply read: “MIKE TUSSEY WAS HERE HE SUMMER OF ‘59”
Mike Tussey has “retired” from a 60-plus-year career as a legendary play-by-play announcer for over 2000 football, baseball, and basketball games, including most recently for ESPN+. His career also includes a stint in law enforcement, teaching and coaching, and writing books, including the “Touchdown Saints.” He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and now lives in Florence with his wife, Jo. He has opened another “Door of Opportunity” and is now a regular columnist for the NKyTribune.