Crossing Guard Of 27 Years Never Misses A Day Of Work, Not Even For Cancer

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Friends, coworkers and Wilkinsburg Borough leaders honored a special employee today for 27 years of service.

In all those years, he had never missed a day of work, even when he was diagnosed with cancer.

As kids count down the final days of another school year, Fred Schweiger has lost count of how many kids he has helped.

"Oh yeah, in fact I'm crossing some of their kids now," he said. "Some of them still live in Wilkinsburg and I crossed them and now I'm crossing their kids."

Schweiger has patrolled the crosswalks since 1988. In 27 years, he hasn't been absent one single day.

"We've had some nasty rain storms and during the winter it gets really cold sometimes, especially if it's below zero," he said.

Rain, snow, sleet, cold, nothing has kept Fred from his duties, not even a recent diagnosis of stage four cancer.

"They said I would be nauseated or have diarrhea but I never got that," he said.

"He helps everybody that he possibly can," said Fred's neighbor Kim Freisinger. "He really does love the kids. Everyday he's giving candy to those kids as he's crossing the street with them."

"He's got an excellent work ethic you know, he's old school," said neighbor Kevin Santillo. "It's hard to come by these days. He's a great guy. He's out there and he's dedicated."

Schweiger's bosses and colleagues honored him with a luncheon – icing on the cake after nearly three decades on the job.

"Twenty-seven years of summer and winters and springs and falls on that corner," said Ophelia "Cookie" Coleman. "That's a long time and that takes a lot of dedication."

Former students have grown into coworkers now.

"I'm 25," said James Hayden. "So he's been around for quite some time. That's cool and I get to work with him from time to time."

"So to be there for 27 years, I want to say thank you," said the mayor. "The community thanks you, we appreciate you."

Fred took the applause in stride, then it's back to work for this 66-year-old. It's a lesson in dedication for generations of school students.

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