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Debt was repaid with life of service

By ERNEST HOOPER
Published May 20, 2005

Wayne Papy was just a kid working his way through the University of South Florida in 1967.

So he took a summer job as a part-time recreational leader at Broward Park at Osborne and Ola avenues in South Seminole Heights, not really knowing where his life was headed.

That future grew even more uncertain when Papy was mistakenly diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. After further testing, he got a clean bill of health but in the process racked up a $1,800 bill. Remember, back then the average price of a car was close to $1,800.

Papy had no insurance and no solutions. So the folks at the park and the nearby Clearfield Community Center held a spaghetti dinner and raised the money to pay Papy's bill.

"I decided then, if I could, I would get in a position to repay this community," Papy explained. "So I stayed in the recreational field."

After 371/2 years with the city, I would say Papy's debt has been repaid. Thursday is his last day.

Over the decades, Papy, who turns 62 in June, went from recreational leader to one of the top administrators in the department. Under former Mayor Dick Greco, he was director of recreation after the death of Joe Abrams.

When Mayor Pam Iorio took over, she combined the parks and recreation departments and Papy became a deputy director. He spent most of his career helping with the construction of new recreation centers.

"I think Wayne was just born to handle this type of position," Iorio said Thursday. "He loves the outdoors, loves recreational activities and working with community groups.

"I only worked with Wayne at the tail end of his career, but he didn't act like someone at the tail end. He brought enthusiasm and freshness to the job that I really appreciated."

In his current role, Papy helped guide new parks and recreation director Karen Palus through her transition period. During his time, he has seen the city go from simply building recreation centers to teaming with communities to provide centers that meet the specific needs and wants of neighborhoods.

"The greatest change is that people are vocal about what you do in their neighborhoods," Papy said. "The new facility at Carver City is a perfect example of that. We worked with them for more than five years, and now they have a brand new center, gymnasium and pool."

Papy says now that the department is in "great hands" under Palus, he can move on.

What's he going to do with his newfound spare time?

"Whatever I want to do," Papy quipped. "I'm going to do some fishing and enjoy some of the facilities we've built over the years."

Kudos to the folks at Kids and Canines, who graduated a new class of golden retrievers Thursday night. Kids and Canines is a special education program in which troubled middle school students train assistance dogs for the disabled.

The dogs provide kids with an incentive to come to school, and the training helps the dogs perform as many as 100 tasks for people with disabilities. It's not uncommon for the dogs to be able open refrigerator doors, get bottles of soda and fetch the television remote control.

The dogs did not wear caps and gowns for the ceremony, but I'm told the event was likely emotional for the kids who have to give up the dogs and for the disabled folks who get new companions.

Sounds like a win-win-win for the kids, the dogs and the new owners.

That's all I'm saying.

Ernest Hooper can be reached at 813 226-3406 or Hooper@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 20, 2005, 01:05:11]