Todd Trofimuk

“The most important memories of my time with my father are the things that on the surface may seem insignificant,” said Todd Trofimuk, principal of Knoch High School.

“Even as they happened, neither he nor I knew that as I grew older and became a father myself that the time we spent together is what I remember most. You see it wasn’t about seeing ‘Star Wars’ when it came to the Plaza theater, buying the new action figures when they came out, eating french fries at the counter of Gaylords or the Thursday night trips to Main Street Butler. It was about the time that we had together to talk about life. To listen to the wisdom of ‘life experience’ that only a father can give to his son. Lessons such as ‘Never quit once you have started something. Even if you hate what you are doing, you must honor your commitment until the end.’”

“Or instilling the belief that ‘hard work will pay off. If you work hard people will see and recognize you for the hard work you have done.’”

“But most importantly, as a parent he wanted me to have the best life possible. He wanted me to do more, have more and be more than he. These life lessons were not learned in a book, or in school. They were learned playing catch in the backyard, in the countless hours to and from practice or in simple conversations watching a game on TV.

“Where I have come from, what I have achieved and who I have become all come from the time that I had with my father. I have learned that as a father now it is not about what I do with my own children. It is about doing something with them so they can create their own memories.”