JCC graduates hear from cancer survivor
By DAVE GOSSETT, Staff writer
POSTED: May 18, 2008
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And for Tim McCoy, it was a chance to deliver the speech he didn’t get the chance to give last year.
“But now I have a better story to tell,” said McCoy.
McCoy, vice-president and general manager of WTOV-TV told the graduates, their friends and family that “the Ohio Valley literally saved my life a year ago.”
McCoy was scheduled to give the commencement address last year when he stopped by a local boutique to buy a birthday present for his wife.
He happened to go shopping in Shelia Miclic’s store in Steubenville. As a former nurse, she expressed concern for McCoy’s health and urged him to see a doctor, he said.
“My first appointment was with Dr. Carl Jones who studied medicine and returned to the area to practice. Those test results revealed I had colon cancer, and Dr. Jones referred me to Dr. David Medich in Pittsburgh,” McCoy said.
Medich played football at Steubenville High School and the Ohio State University before returning to the area and establishing his practice in Pittsburgh.
“We started to talk about Big Red football and what a great job Reno Saccoccia has done for the program and the city of Steubenville. I found out later it is Dr. Medich’s dream to educate people about colon cancer, so he doesn’t have to remove any more cancer from colons, so he can return to Steubenville and take Reno’s job as Steubenville Big Red’s football coach,” McCoy said.
“After my surgery, I had to have a CT scan to determine the success of the surgery. While waiting in the waiting room Dr. Medich walked clear across the hospital to visit with me. He came over, sat down and put his arm, around me and said, ‘Man, you’re from Steubenville, and I am from Steubenville, nothing bad is going to happen to you.’ After hearing those words, it gave me tremendous comfort. What a bedside manner. It was unbelievable,” McCoy said.
“That is the circle that led to the discovery, diagnosis and cure of my cancer,” said McCoy.
“I received an unbelievable outpouring of prayers and support from my wife Kelli, our families, friends and co-workers who had the power of positive thinking,” McCoy recalled.
Today, McCoy said, he is cancer free and is “very thankful I live in the Ohio Valley surrounded by good people.”
“So don’t let anybody ever tell you that your community is a bad place. Take it from me this is a wonderful place to work, raise a family and to live,” McCoy said.
“We have great people in this community, maybe like no other. Just remember your community is only as good as what you invest back into it,” he told the class of 2008.
“You should prepare for your future by surrounding yourself with positive people with positive attitudes. Have passion for your life and your career and always be prepared in your life,” McCoy advised the graduates.
“You want a job that makes you want to get out of bed every day and improve and challenge yourself and others. As I reflect over my career, I could have gone to bigger cities to work, but I feel I made the right decision because I can’t wait to get to work and make our community a better place,” McCoy stated.
“And I challenge you to do something positive to help make your community a good place to live,” added McCoy.
“As you walk out those doors today your future changes, and only you can control what your future will become. I leave you with one important thought: Make sure the career and job you chose is the one that will make you happy. Not just for today and tomorrow, but a job you can say that you truly enjoy,” McCoy said.
“And I hope and urge you to enjoy each and every day of your life. I know I do,” concluded McCoy.
Area graduates recognized Saturday include:
¯ Adena — Kenneth C. Jones.
¯ Amsterdam — Cari R. Braker and Jason M. Chamberlain.
¯ Bergholz — Marie E. Dunkle, Kristen L. Givens, Andrew J. Howell, Samantha E. Layman and Dawn M. Stewart.
¯ Bloomingdale — Susan E. Gaffney, Valerie L. Gubanez, Wayne C. Hasley, Natalie M. Hosterman, Cassandra L. Howell, Meghann E. Metz, Andrew P. Prisbylla, David L. Saho, Danielle N. Taylor, Christina L. Turk, Dean A. Wiley and Daisy Zawoysky.
¯ Brilliant — Rita J. Bates, Joseph B. Goski and Vernon D. Madison.
¯ Burgettstown — Kathleen I. Bailey and Ronna M. Gunter.
¯ Cadiz — Scott Anthony, Rhonda L. Gladman, Jonathan J. Lacross, Brandon L. Ludwig and Dana M. Stillwagon.
¯ Colliers — Gary E. Dennis, Terry L. Minger and Lori A. Scott.
¯ Dillonvale — Ashley M. Besece and Jason J. Poludniak.
¯ Empire — Anne M. McLeish.
¯ Follansbee — Donald J. Cavatassi, Joseph J. Cionni, Ashley D. Cross, Michelle R. Digiacinto, Jessica L. Elbon, Kimberly S. English Stoneking, Amy J. John, Ronald W. McClain, Jamie L. Patterson and Tina I. Robertson.
¯ Hammondsville — Matthew B. Gruszecki and Paula K. Larkins.
¯ Irondale — Daniel B. Lawrence, Danell L. Plunkett, Deborah J. Plunkett and Johnna M. Shipley.
¯ Jewett — Kenneth F. Eddy, Samantha D. Eddy and Leah D. Randolph.
¯ Mingo Junction — Patricia M. Dunburg, Charles E. Burrows, Eain N. Landis, Karen E. Simmons, Kyle A. Moffat, Lisa L. Mazik, Marie C. Little, Nichole L. Brockway, Tonya R. Burrows and Travis N. Burke.
¯ New Cumberland — James M. Colvin, Loni M. English and Belinda F. Harris.
¯ Rayland — Marlene A. Bolen, Melissa A. Bonar, Christine D. Lash, Shane E. Maple, Beth A. Meeker, Tonya D. Ogden, Tara R. Ronevich, Courtland A. Stabile and Brandi S. Tweedy.
¯ Richmond — Janice J. Bradley, Camill A. Controguerra, Gerald J. Cornish, Jessica J. Ferguson, Diana L. Gault, Jessica A. McCallister, Michael J. Mettenberger, Brittany N. Miro, Leigh E. Mohammed, Adam J. Richardson and Amy J. Wickham.
¯ Steubenville — Latasha D. Ajebe, Kathryn A. Bowman, Linda A. Bright, Jeannetta L. Brown, Daniel P. Callahan, Dana A. Carubia, Othell D. Curry, Teresa A. Dunbar, Marilyn E. Ford, Brandy L. Francis, Darleen D. Francis, Samantha J. Goff, Donald J. Gray, Ruth A. Gray, Thomas J. Hagerty, Alice M. Hosford, Peggy L. Ingram, Ami L. Johnson, Brieasha J. Jones, Jerome E. Jones, Michael P. Kalinkiewicz, Ruth A. Lefebvre, Allanna J. Lindsey, Doris M. Locascio, Margaret A. Lynn, Cynthia D. Marker, Kelley C. Michael, Heather N. Miller, Seretha C. Miller, Susan C. Miller, Courtney J. Moran, Lucas S. Obrien, Kimberly M. Olenick, Gregory R. Pace, Mark Palmer, Ryman J. Perez-Watkins, Scott Piatt, Amy L. Prolago, Oscar A. Rivera, Sarah M. Ruble, Jessica J. Rush, Greg A. Serafini, Ashley D. Skinner, Vanessa M. Slappy, Emily L. Straker, Kayla J. Thomas, Gregg A. Toriscelli, Sarandos N. Tsouris, Melonie M. Wade, Susan R. White, Holly E. Willoughby, Ciarra D. Wilson, Colleen F. Witkowski and Constance M. Yeager.
¯ Stratton — Katie J. Meadows.
¯ Tiltonsville — Jessica F. Ellis, Allison N. Fetty and Joshua Lenz.
¯ Toronto — Gregory P. Bell, Annabelle C. Clutter, Stephanie D. Collins, Ryan J. Franke, Laicee J. Howard, Jessica A. Littlejohn, Brian D. Myers, Tonya G. Peach, Kylee J. Rawson, Travis L. Reed, Anne M. Shook, Michael A. Shuma, Shawn A. Snyder, Nancy Y. Stanak, Jeremy M. Ternasky and Erik S. Wargo.
¯ Weirton — Frank A. Bohach, Sharon A. Brown, Lisa J. Cain, Christine C. Campbell, Vince Conforti, Jon L. Dennis, Nicole M. Duffin, Paul M. Guzzo, Marcy L. Hemshrodt, Jeffrey S. Holmes, Kathleen V. Ivaun, Beverly J. Jeter, Cassandra M. Jeter, Patrick M. Joyce, Justin R. Kile, Linda K. May, Stephanie M. Myers, Carolyn J. Norcia, Joseph G. Orler, George J. Patrelakis, James W. Pulice, Barbara J. Rice, Faith A. Shawver, James M. Sowards, Keri L. Sparks, Jordan E. Taibi and Jacqueline B. Vandyke.
¯ Wellsburg — Christian G. Gramnaes, Melinda D. Gramnaes, Jesse R. Harvey, Trish A. Holloway, Stephen M. Jasko, Kelli M. Miller and Cresta L. Walnoha.
¯ Wintersville — Brittany S. Ankrum. Kelli R. Barker, Patrick J. Berkey, Jessica A. Carmichael, Tad A. Daily, Michael E. Dingess, Theresa A. Foglia, Colleen M. Franckhauser, Jennifer L. Friend, Lisa M. Gardner, Emily R. Grimm, Jessica M. Groves, Charles R. Hague, Monica L. Hasley, Rhonda J. Jennings, Susanne R. Kauk, Nicole F. Kendall, James J. Kilonsky, Jenee A. Levite, Jayalakshmi Nagaraj, Shawna M. Ogden, Mary C. Rodriguez, Gigi N. Shoe, Donna D. Singh, Hollie R. Sipes and Lori A. Wellington.
(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)
