Published: Sunday, September 16, 2007
Looking ahead and looking back
He started working a series of odd jobs. "I had to keep working because I had three girls and a wife. It's called survival," he said.
He thought he found his solution when he was hired at an LTV Steel mill in Aliquippa, Pa. "I told my wife that this place will never close down. It's six miles long," he said.
After three years, the mill closed. He returned to finding work wherever he could.
"The hardest part was not giving up, but I couldn't get down. I had too much responsibility," he said.
In 1985, his fortunes changed. He was hired at the Easco aluminum casting plant in Niles, which is now part of Indalex. He worked there 20 years before retiring in 2005.
"I survived," Tisler said. "I was really blessed."
Where was the blessing in all of his hardships? "I just made enough money to survive," he said.
Tisler wasn't the only one who had little to go on, other than determination.
Faith got him through
George Seila of New Wilmington, Pa., was 54 when he lost his job on Black Monday. He was too young to retire but too old to be a top candidate for other industrial jobs.
He was angry about losing his job but focused his attention on supporting his family. He and his wife had three children.
"We put our faith in the good Lord and said, 'We're going to make it,'" he said.
A temporary employment agency landed him work as a construction laborer, mixing concrete and helping to erect walls. He worked in the Sharon area for four years, helping to build retail shops and a movie theater.
He followed that up with jobs at McDonald's and Sheetz.
For his 32 years at Sheet & Tube, he receives a $470 monthly pension, but that doesn't mean he is totally retired.
Even at 84, he's still working nine to 12 hours a week at Sheetz near Grove City, Pa., making sure the pumps are working correctly and watching for gas thieves.
Like others who lived through Black Monday, Seila feels fortunate, despite his hardships.
He was able to find work, and he and his wife, Margaret, were able to stay here and rear a family in the place they call home.
"We're living fairly well. We don't have a big, fancy home, but it's ours," he said.
More Stories from Wed, Sep 19, 2007
- Actor, President Ford's son offers hope
- Field renamed for Shuba, known for handshake
- Many dog carcasses found by old South High
- Wilson: Restoring order to Iraq will take years
- RTI considers moving its executives
- Woman found safe
- Tonight: An event to mark the 30th anniversary of Black...
- Blog: Mahoning Valley View
