Sunday, March 28, 2021
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I attended St. Georges and Aloysius Boys School at the same time as Danny. Our friendship orbits were different at both schools. Indeed, I did not become aware of Danny until one year during the track season at St. Georges. I was decidedly not into track, but after school I kept noticing this lone individual practicing the pole vault.
At Champs, the inter-schools annual track meet, St Georges was never the favorite to be the team with the most points. Pole vaulting? Give me a break! It was hard enough for the school to attract "name" coaches in the more popular track and field endeavors. Pole Vaulting? So, he had no coaching, but doggedly kept at it so as to make the team.
But Danny was on to something that many, many years later I was able to appreciate in my Professional career.
To identify a niche, and be the person that came to mind, whenever an executive needed expertise to be applied in that particular area! We played for the Old Boys teams, me on the lower rung, "Gento" higher up...LOL But I remember, as I competed for a spot on the team,I tried to be the "differential" performer. I did not seek to be the goal hungry forward...that area was crowded. I sought to be the guy who could be counted on to pass the ball, to whoever had gotten "open"! And that I did...happily so. In my mind the "man who enabled others to score, and could be counted on to always be for the team.
I had moved to New Mexico when someone connected us. Danny and I could reminisce about finding ways to overcome the handicap of limited resources in our High School years, and the resulting commitment we had both made to help whoever we met that needed help. Much as others had helped us back in those days.
Being the son-in-law of the Baker at Hannah Town Bakery, Danny saw to my receiving Easter Buns several Easters; he also frequently sent us chocolates from his employ.
Identify a need; fill it!
That is what Danny taught me at St. Georges in our teen years. An approach that served me very well in my adult professional years.
Thanks, Danny.
Harry Anderson, Class of 1957.
