The Class of 1981’s John Terrizzi, Jr. is of a McDevitt generation about once removed from my own, but with lots of overlap and friends in common, given our mutual association with the Royal Masque. Our Producer, as well as honorary “Moderator of the Alumni,” Meg Evangelist, wrote me that her “fondest memories” of John “were with the Royal Masque and all the shows.  He was always willing to pitch in no matter what the task.”

I’ve come to know John a bit more in recent years through social media, through which his voice is frequently heard. It’s always one of calm and moderation. (Pause…turn page over and back again…) Oops, that’s a line for one of next year’s honorees. (Pause again, with a smile.)

For now, though, I’m pleased to turn the podium over to another of our mutual friends, Legend of McDevitt Father Charles Noone, who can and will speak much more eloquently about John’s worthiness for our Hall of Fame.

(Father Noone)

“The least you do to one of these, you do unto me.”

A few years ago, there was a TV public service presentation which featured individuals who simply said “See me! See me! See me!”

They made up the marginalized, the invisible, the unseen in our society:

• the elderly in their loneliness

•  those with alcohol and/or drug addictions

•  the homeless sleeping on sidewalks

•  those with police records and having served their time seeking employment. 

“See me! See me! See me!” - See my dignity as a human being.

Each year, The Philadelphia Inquirer conducts a “Best in Philly” survey asking readers to nominate and vote for “The Best” in various categories. One such category was “The Best Car Wash in Philly.” One stood out: Gold Medal Recognition as The Best Car Wash and Silver Medal Recognition for The Best Customer Service. That was, and is, The Pit Stop Car Wash on Cottman Avenue in the Lawncrest/Burholme section of Philadelphia.

As The Best Car Wash, it exceeds and excels beyond what you might expect from a car wash…values and pride in the work that is done. So much so that if a customer is not pleased with the results of a car wash, or detailing, or has a complaint, it is immediately addressed, taken care of, corrected by management. Resulting in a customer who leaves with a smile on his or her face.

 The values and pride exist because of the employees offering the best in customer service. Dedicated employees, long-time employed workers who have become family to their employer and his family, calling the matriarch of the family “Mom.” Employees, many of whom were marginalized: the unseen, the invisible in society who were seen, whose humanity was recognized, who were given jobs, uplifted, given a second chance, a new life. That seeing and recognition of human dignity reached beyond the confines of The Pit Stop and touched the lives of many whose names would never be known:

•  Cancer patients who benefited from medical research funded not just by large businesses and corporations, but by small local businesses like The Pit Stop. 

• Each year,they sponsor a “Haunted House Car Wash,” raising $6,000 to $7,000 for cancer research.

That seeing and recognition of human dignity embraced many individuals who were experiencing hardships, who were in need one way or another, whose needs were quietly met by someone who was simply known as “Mr. Anonymous.”

And all of that brings us to this moment: the annual induction into the Bishop McDevitt Alumni Hall of Fame, acknowledging a member of the Class of 1981. The driving force behind the operation of The Pit Stop Car Wash, making it “The Best Car Wash in Philly,” “The Best Customer Service,” and a fundraiser for cancer research; a man so often in the background anonymously and quietly meeting the needs of others. Because he saw them, he acknowledged their human dignity. A man who lived and believed Jesus’ words: “The least you do to one of these, you do unto Me.”

With faith and courage as his guide…and God his final goal.

Congratulations, John Terrizzi, Jr.