Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Although realizing the OP mentions 'strangers' - but my father has always been my inspiration.

He's had numerous career changes over the years, always starting at the bottom and eventually working his way to the top. In the early/mid sixties he went from being a phys. ed instructor in a YMCA...to the Executive Director position of two Boys Clubs of Canada.

In the mid-seventies during a difficult economic/employment period, he took a menail job as a hardware receiver in a local hardware/lumber yard - just to pay the bills and make ends meet. By the early 80s he'd worked his way up to General Manager of a different lumber yard. Then he took over as GM of another store...and eventually a third before eventually leaving the industry.

Shifting gears, he started his own successful home renovation business - deck building and minor interior renovations...until he finally retired.

His work ethic, ambition, devotion and wide variety of skills in so many fields has always amazed and inspired me. We've always said he's the rare type of person who can dig a ditch with the best of them...while the next day impressing a board of directors with his business savvy and knowledge.

They don't make'em like that very much anymore.