Famous Faces: Neil Young

Neil Young is a Canadian singer-songwriter.

Making a Difference

Tom Moss 

To say Tom Moss is dedicated to his work is an understatement.  Tom receives follow along services from the Employment Services branch of the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities and has been an employee at Marion’s Piazza on North Dixie Drive for the past 35 years. When asked about how he has maintained his employment for so many years, Tom states, “It’s the people that I love.”  Tom says that he enjoys his coworkers as well as the customers.  When asked about how many days that he has called off work due to illness or anything else, Tom replied, “What do you mean?”  Tom went on to say that he has never called in sick or taken off work for any reason in all the years that he has been an employee at Marion’s.  I asked Tom’s close friend and coworker, Fawn, about this response.  Fawn discussed that she can only remember one time that Tom came to work late and it was no fault of his own.  Fawn stated, “Tom did not arrive to work on time one day and all the employees were concerned because he simply did not miss work.”  Just prior to sending out someone to look for him, Tom showed up.  His sister had taken him to a doctor’s appointment and it caused him to be a few minutes late, (pretty good work record; a few minutes late on one occasion in 35 years, no absences).

 I asked Tom if he ever met any of the celebrities that used to frequent Marion’s Piazza after performing at Memorial Hall.  Tom replied, “No, but I did like talking with Mr. Marion, the owner.  He use to ask me if I was doing ok all the time.”

 One of the things that makes Tom’s work record and long tenure at Marion’s even more special is the fact that he walks several blocks to and from work each day that he is scheduled.  Tom neither drives nor is transported by vehicle to reach his place of employment.  I asked Tom about walking to work in extreme weather conditions.  Tom replied, “It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, I come to work anyway. “

 When asked about other things that are important in his life, Tom replied, “I like ushering in my church”.  Tom went on to say that he has been an usher in his church for over 10 years and just recently received a certificate of thanks from the pastor of the Christian Life Center for his dedicated service.  Tom has been transported to and from church all these years by his best friend, Mike Royce.

 Congratulations Tom. We can all learn some important lessons from your outstanding work ethic.