John Cesarz has some big fans.
‘He’s a wonderful guy,? according to Irene Reed, one of the regular passengers of the Independence Township senior van service. ‘He’s a real good driver.?
Cesarz did not solicit the praise; his passengers offer it freely. He quickly returns the compliment, saying the riders are one of the big reasons he serves.
‘They’re always nice people,? he said. ‘They’re always fun.?
Retired from Chrysler Corporation, Cesarz soon found a need to do something in his retirement. About eight years ago, he answered an ad and began driving the senior van part time.
‘I was getting bored at home, and I like doing this,? he said.
He became a full-time driver about five months ago, and now has top seniority among the township’s van drivers (although he said, ‘That’s no big deal.?)
The daily schedule varies, but some of the riders are regulars, as Cesarz and other van drivers take senior and handicapped citizens to and from the senior center at Clintonwood Park and to various shopping destinations, medical offices and workplaces.
While he desired to serve, Cesarz did not realize how much fun he would have as a senior van driver.
‘I always thought older people never had a sense of humor. That was a big awakening for me,? he said.
Among the humorous experiences was an occasion in which he stood behind an elderly woman who lost her balance on some stairs. As he caught her, he quipped, ‘I wondered what I had to do to get my arms around you.?
The ladies on the van wouldn’t let that comment go, and the rest of the trip to the Dixie Highway Kmart was full of laughter.
‘They had me laughing so hard, it was hard to drive,? he said, and the longer shopping trips provide more opportunity for good fellowship. ‘The conversation is really great; it’s never boring with the ladies.?
Cesarz is eager to share the credit for the good service. He and fellow driver Ed Eaglen ‘work as a team? while they’re on the road, covering for each other if one gets behind on the schedule. When they’re not driving, they help with other tasks at the senior center, including taking out the trash or restocking the soda machine. He also looks forward to helping with the annual July 4 seniors picnic.
‘You see something that has to be done, and you just do it,? he said, giving some protest to the thought of being singled out. ‘We don’t like to get interviewed or get our picture taken. That’s the way we are.?
An Ortonville resident, Cesarz admits he had to learn about Independence Township roads.
‘When I first took this job, I only knew how to get to Kroger,? he said, but now he has learned the ins and outs of the various side streets. He believes Pine Knob Road rates as the worst area road, with Stickney coming in second. He always watches to keep track of when to avoid the Sashabaw Road construction zone.
‘These vans would probably last a lot longer, but we have to go down a lot of these roads,? he said, estimating about 16 riders and 125 miles daily.
He’s also seen his share of bad drivers, and he wishes people would understand the vans can’t stop on a dime.
‘I see people going through stop signs constantly,? he said, and criticizes those who make illegal left turns onto Snow Apple Drive near Clarkston High School.
That hasn’t discouraged him from staying behind the wheel. At age 66, he anticipates another three or four years in the job, and the compliments of his passengers help keep him going.
‘One of the nicest comments you get, that makes it really rewarding, is when people say, ‘I don’t know what I would do without this service.??
Outside the job, Cesarz enjoys target shooting when he has time, but admits he was better when he served in the U.S. Army (between the Korean and Vietnam conflicts).
His favorite pastime, by far, is spending time with a seven-year-old grandson and a three-year-old granddaughter. He hasn’t had a lot of time to spoil the granddaughter, but the grandson is a different story.
‘I’m always buying him things,? he said. ‘He expects something all the time.?