By: Stephen J Scharr

http://www.metalwerksusa.com/projects/view/178

Michael Gary Tennant began work at MSS September of 1974 after emigrating from his home town of Watton, a small town in Norfolk, England. He met his wife, Debbie through her brother; while he was stationed in England he met Mike’s sister and eventually they married. Mike first came to the US with his brother in law to be for a Christmas visit with his family in the NY metro area.  Apparently smitten by this shy Englishman, Debbie went back to visit Mike in England and stayed there for a year after having graduated from Brockport College in New York state.  During that time, they fell in love and began planning a life together in the US.  Mike moved here to the Delaware area in June of 1974 at the age of 30; he and Debbie married in August and he began working at MSS in September. So much for my dad’s story that he hired Mike “right off the boat from England.” This was the only job that Mike ever held in the US. He learned the “tin knocker” trade as a young man in Thetford, England.

At that time, MSS was still in semi-startup mode, housed in a dingy little waterfront warehouse at 500 E Front St in Wilmington… that site is now the Christina Boat house. We had about 300 SF of offices and 5,000 sf of shop and warehouse. Those were heady times.  Then MSS was mainly engaged in supplying flat sheets, cut to length profiled panel orders, formed metal flashings, closures, fasteners and other accessories to the roofing and siding trades. Mike was a skilled sheet metal mechanic (our only one as I recall) operating our brake and shear. I first met Mike in the summer of 1977 when I began working at MSS’ shop during summer breaks. I will always remember Mike’s guidance and patience as I made numerous mistakes working on the “dumb” end of the brake and shear crew. I was fascinated by Mike, his accent, his English upbringing, stories of the English pop culture during the 60’s and early 70’s and of his decision to leave England for love and work. Even then his hair was graying….. salt and pepper. Now it’s completely white. When his co-workers always chided him about the premature gray but he would always quip back... “ at least I kept it!” …. many of us can’t say that anymore.

           Mike will retire to his home in Newark, Delaware although Debbie has no clue what he will do with himself. His current hobbies include puttering about the house doing odd improvements and household repairs. In case he doesn’t know, she has already decided to volunteer him to work with her on “Meals on Wheels” plus she has a couple of rooms for him to renovate. They both love to travel and in the short run plan to spend time with their daughter Melissa, her husband and a new grandson in Hebron, Ky. Tanya, their youngest daughter is getting married in October so that will be an exciting time for the family as well. Mike was and always has been a quiet and unassuming man although he is very proud of himself and his family. This pride is especially reserved for his two daughters Melissa and Tanya. I will never forget his joy when he told us all in the shop that Debbie was pregnant; Melissa, their first, was born in 1978. Melissa is a graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in Sociology. She works as a social worker in Indiana, is married, and has a new son; she and her husband live in Hebron, Ky. near Cincinnati. Tanya came along three years later in 1981; she is a graduate of Rosemont College and works as an accountant for Ocean Club Resorts based in Wilmington DE. Mike is very proud of them both and their accomplishments.

              His quiet, industrious manner has been instrumental in garnering the enduring respect of the Scharr family and his co-workers over four decades. There was never a job that Mike would delegate that he was not prepared to do himself. He was a leader from the start albeit a quiet one. Our company has evolved over the years starting as a broker/reseller, then to value added-distributor, custom job shop, engineered product manufacturer and specialty contractor. Mike has continuously applied his skills and dedication to help the company evolve and improve during that time. Whatever the task or challenge, Mike was never daunted. As time went on, we as a company found greater confidence in tackling more challenging and complex projects creating more value for the company and our customers. Mike’s diligence and talent helped us develop the confidence to do this. He was always available to assist or take the lead in developing an innovative technique or to help us push the envelope in creating a new product or methodology. By example, Mike’s experience was instrumental in helping Art, MSS’ Production Manager (and Mike’s good friend)  and other production personnel, develop their skills as well.  It is unusual today for an employee to work for, and retire from, only one company. Mike truly demonstrated the company values:

·         Profit for the company and our employee, vendors and customers,

·          Honesty in our dealings both internally and externally

·         Harmony in collaborating with others respectfully

·         Quality in the goods and services we provide.

·         Personal satisfaction from all of the above and a job well done.

 According to Debbie, Mike has always appreciated the small business mentality of the company even as it has grown. He likes the fact that during his career here he was always “Mike” and not just a number; he appreciated the friendly family-like culture. He never spoke poorly of anyone even though there were plenty of opportunities to complain or criticize. He has been with us through some great times and some difficult times but he has always done it with dignity. Mike will be missed but never forgotten. His accomplishments and contributions to the continued successes at MSS are too numerous to mention. When I asked Debbie what prompted Mike to retire at this time she was reminded of some earlier conversations about they had had on the subject. He said he didn’t know when the day would come but he would just know when it did. He came home one day in early summer of 2010 and told her “It’s time; I’m ready to retire.” A man of few words he offered no explanation but he knew, as usual, in his quietly confident way.  That’s Mike! No fanfare or drama. Thanks for a job well done!