TORRINGTON – Every neighborhood needs a Tom John McCreery, according to Torrington Mayor Randy Adams – but not every neighborhood has one.
That’s why, after years of dedicated service to the people of Torrington and Goshen County exemplified by terms on the Goshen County School Board, Eastern Wyoming College Board of Trustees and many others, Adams named McCreery a Community Hero during the Torrington City Council Meeting on Oct. 15.
McCreery is the second Community Hero honoree, after Abe Correa received the honor during the summer.
“Every neighborhood needs a Tom John McCreery,” Adams said during the presentation. “He scoops the snow, he scoops the sidewalk and he drives people to appointments and so on. He helps his neighbors with financial problems. Whenever he sees or hears of a problem, he is there to help.
“Tom is one of those guys that is involved in everything. None of it benefits him financially, but what he does benefits so many others. He sets an example when others in the community say that it is someone else’s job, or I’m too busy, or that’s unfair, or they call and complain. Tom John, rather than complain, asks ‘How do I get involved?’”
Adams outlined McCreery’s professional and personal contributions to the community, beginning with his work with Holly Sugar Corporation.
“He used his education and communication skills to help farmers in the growing and harvesting of beets,” Adams said. “From there, he went into banking, where he established himself as a friendly guy, who would loan money to seemingly anyone who needed it.
“From there, he went to the school board. He saw a problem that existed in the schools and, instead of complaining, he ran for a position on the school board and he won.
“All along, his interest was the best interest of the kids and trying to help.”
McCreery is still very involved in multiple facets of the community. He currently serves on the EWC Board of Trustees, the Homesteaders’ Museum Board of Directors and is a Friend of the Goshen County Library.
But according to Adams, McCreery has an impact on the people around him, as well.
“One of his neighbors claims that Tom has done his driveway and sidewalk for him for 20 years, always without being asked,” Adams said. “Tom is someone who will volunteer on the spot.
“He has touched many lives and made them better. That is why Tom John McCreery deserves to be a community hero.”
When McCreery took his turn at the microphone, he thanked everyone in attendance – but his message to the assembly was brief.
“This is so unexpected,” McCreery said. “I just love to blow snow.”
