THIS GROUP OF DUQUESNE LIGHT RETIREES always has time to get together in Forest Hills for a bite to eat, and lots of reminiscing.
by Jacquelyn McDonald, For New Pittsburgh Courier
The ties that bind friends and co-workers can sometimes be as meaningful as personal family ties as this group of Duquesne Light Company retirees would tell you.
The photo above equals 825 years of service (an average of 33 years for each person) amongst this group. Because of the nature of their individual jobs, many claim that the time spent working together competed with the actual time they spent with their own families.
I am also a Duquesne Light retiree—42 years I worked for the company.
We meet monthly at Drew’s Restaurant in Forest Hills just to experience the camaraderie and keep in touch. Some months there are 14 in attendance, other times it’s more, and the dialogue is reflective. Looking back, we’ll tell you that the influx of Black employees at the Duquesne Light Company back in the early ‘70s created a work dynamic that both White and Black employees had to navigate through. One of the retirees described it as “sensitive” and the interaction as “defensive.”
“I’ll always remember a co-worker from North Hills being shocked to see and learn that my dark makeup was purchased at Kaufmann’s department store,” one of the retirees said.
Today, we all shake their heads in amazement at how we came through the daily struggle.
Our group conversation isn’t work-related as much now. Our concerns fluctuate between grandchildren, travel opportunities and health issues. We smile when we remind each other about senior discounts. We meet up on the fourth Thursday of each month. In September, when the above photo was taken, we shared our memories of a comrade who recently passed away. We all chuckled because he would attend our breakfast in a three-piece suit. He was the second of the group to pass away this year. Us Baby Boomers, we always pray and give thanks to God when we come together. It’s obvious that we’ve matured in life together and endeavor to keep the love and concern flowing.
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