NAME(S) ON TILE:                 THOMAS S. BEGANDY

DONOR NAME(S):                   CHERYL Y. BEGANDY

My father, Thomas Begandy, was the middle of five sons born to Lebanese immigrants, Peter and Anna Monsour Begandy.  After serving in World War II, he worked as a mechanic in the Irvin Works of U.S. Steel.  He was a dedicated and loyal employee and co-worker.  He didn’t gain great wealth as a steelworker, but he didn’t need to, because he had a heart of pure gold.  My father was the person in our East Liberty neighborhood that everyone called on for help, knowing he would willingly oblige.  Whether it was fixing a broken appliance, buying an out-of-work neighbor a pair of shoes, or counseling a troubled youth, my father was always there.  I never knew him to speak ill of another person.

Instead, he would be the one defending whoever was under attack.  Everyone relied on him; the sisters and priest at our local church, our Italian relatives who lived nearby, old friends and co-workers, or new black neighbors who were moving in.  I think he hated to let anyone down.  He was a wonderful, loving father, and I feel that he deserves the title of “Humanitarian” as well.