After 27 years of service to St. Mary School, Jan Kadlcek hung up his tools for the last time. This week, the students and staff came together to clap him out and applaud all he has done to make the school a better place through the years.
All who have worked along with Jan think of him as the person to call when you need help or to get something done. He will be remembered as happy, helpful and frugal in keeping projects under budget and always having the best interest of the kids and school in mind.
Jan came to the Cleveland area from the Czech Republic and was quick to learn on the job. He started work at St. Mary School in 1987 and has driven from Lakewood to the east side everyday. Aside from maintenance tasks at the school, staff member Jeannette Stone remembers Jan sharing his work with beehives with the students and sharing honey with the staff. She states, “He would bring in his beehives to show the kids and always restocked the staff with honey for themselves.”
Staff member Helen Seufer said, “If Jan couldn’t fix it with something he had, then it was going to need to be replaced.” He was resourceful and knew how to get things done. In addition, he could be seen greeting kids and parents in the morning outside in the drop off line and throughout the halls. Everyone from St. Mary School past and present wishes him a restful retirement and hopes he can enjoy time with his daughters and grandchildren.
