What a remarkable man. Working on the sets and as a producer for several plays, as well as being involved in the Drama Club, I was with Mr. T almost every weekday, and some weekends for most of my high school days.That is about four years until June, 1979. I also took his Speech classes and his Debate class, in fact any class he was teaching. I think that his influence on me is immeasurable. Those formidable years were full of all kinds of worry and doubt, friendships and trusts, cares and tests. And then hovering over all that was this great guy! He accepted you immediately as you were, never badgered or condemned anything. Full of kindness, patience and also this great command of whatever situation was at hand. He treated all of us as adults, even though we were still kids. He respected us. I think I've tried to emulate Mr T all these years without really realizing I've been doing that. Now, I too have been a teacher for a long time and there have been no colleagues in all these years who have reached the level of compassion, understanding, patience, kindness, resolve, and overall good-guyness that he effortlessly showed us.
All these great memories are compounded by the fact that Mr T was a dedicated family man. On occasion he'd bring his three kids to the stage and we would fawn over them for a bit before getting back to work. We met Sharon whenever she came to the school, usually when a play was opening. We knew from the way he treated his family and the way he treated us that there was no limit to this man's being.
Mr T would share some of life's insights with us. We could always talk to him about things other than school or the stage and he would always listen. I am now so far away in time and place, but my heart is really aching. I just want to hold this guy once, and say, "job well done, Mr T.! " I'd like to give him something back, even a little bit, for the mounds of greatness he gave me.
Peace and God's gracious healing and love to the family of Lou Trotta
Mark Stahl
