Monday, August 29, 2005 10:23 AM CDT
The heart of a friend
Local resident proves himself to be a hard worker and loyal friend to merchants on the square
By BONNIE CLARK, Features Writer
Jerry loves key chains and rummage sales. He loves music, funny movies and comic books. He also likes his work, helping keep the sidewalks swept clean on the Charleston square.
At 56, Jerry Moran, who was born and raised in Charleston, has been pushing a broom for several years. It's given him muscles and, most likely, a healthy heart. But, friends say, his good heart was there long before the exercise.
Moran has difficulty speaking, and usually it's only his family and close friends who understand his few words and the expansive gestures he uses. It doesn't stop him from trying.
His mother, Marge Moran, 81, said Jerry was able to speak until he contracted tetanus at age 3.
"We nearly lost him," she said. "Before that, he could talk OK, but after he got tetanus, he wasn't able to speak any more," she said.
Moran worked for the former Stoner Wood Products north of Charleston, a job he obtained through CCAR, for 25 years.
John B. Stoner, founder of the Charleston company, remembers Moran as a loyal employee and a hard worker.
"If everyone who worked for me was as efficient as he was," Stoner said, "I wouldn't have needed them all."
Moran walked about a mile every day to and from work, where he was a cleanup man and where he also oiled machines and stacked lumber.
"When the bell sounded, he was the first one to get to his station," Stoner said. "And he was always there. The only times he wasn't at work, he was sick, and I think that was only once or twice in 25 years."
Moran worked for the company through a change of ownership, continuing until it closed.
"Jerry's one of the nicest, most loyal people I've ever known," said Linda Spence, owner of Spence's on Jackson, a local resale shop, "I've been blessed to have him for a friend."
With Spence's help, Moran found part-time jobs with a dozen business people on the square, whom he helps by keeping the sidewalks clean in front of their establishments.
"He doesn't do a half-way job," said Jason Bradbury, a waiter at What's Cookin' Restaurant. "Jerry's a hard worker. He doesn't stop ‘til it's done.
"At first, he was just supposed to do the sidewalk, and the next thing we knew, he was out there sweeping the parking lot. So, we bumped up his pay and gave him drinks and muffins, too."
Bradbury said Moran doesn't have bad days. "He's one of the few people I know who is always smiling," he said.
While Moran has only worked for the restaurant for about three months, he has also worked part time one day a week for the past year for 11 other businesses.
They include Spence's shop, as well as South Side Cafe, Nate's Weight and Fitness Training, Brankey and Smith law office, Ealy's Appraisals, Donna's Cleaners, Calliope Court, Jackson Avenue Coffee, Stephens Hair Salon, all on the south side of the square; and Marianne's Restaurant, on the north side.
Occasionally, he sweeps the walk in front of the Giraffe Confectionery, on the west side, where in addition to his pay, perks include ice cream.
On weekends, Moran especially likes to find a good rummage sale. One of his special finds was a camera he bought for a quarter and used to take photographs of his friends and employers on the square.
"We didn't suppose it even worked," his mother said, "until he came home and surprised us with all his pictures."
Mostly though, Moran looks for key rings to add to his collection, which is currently in the neighborhood of 7,000.
In his quest, he walks to sales all over town.
"He's worn out by the time night comes," his mother said.
"Can you imagine all the miles he's walked to get those 7,000 key rings?" she asked.
Moran smiled and nodded. "Yes," he said.
Contact Bonnie Clark at bclark@jg-tc.com or 348-5727.
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