Joe Andreano was just a few days away from graduation and even though he didn't have a job lined up, he wasn't nervous. In fact, he already seemed to be content with the idea of retirement. At 83 years of age Andreano was to be the oldest graduate to ever walk across SUNY Brockport’s stage. Andreano was to receive his bachelor's degree in criminal justice at the college’s Commencement Ceremony, May 18. His family was to be there to cheer him on. Nora Andreano, Joe’s sister-in-law, one of his family members sitting in the stands of SUNY Brockport’s Special Olympics Stadium this weekend, said she was honored to be there, knowing that Joe’s achievement has not come easily. "I don’t know how the heck he’s gone through all that schooling," said Nora. She has known her brother-in-law since she sat next to him in a Madison High School Study Hall, about 70 years ago, with her future husband Alfonso, one of Joe’s six brothers. Nora can remember back to when Joe was a poor boy living on the city’s west side (now known as the Corn Hill District) with his brothers and his parents. She can even remember nursing him back from a near death bout with pneumonia when she was married to Alfonso and Joe was only 16 years old. "He wasn’t the easiest to take care of, but he’s always been a good boy," said Nora. Even Joe’s wife (of 58 years this August), Grace, will tell you Joe’s a good guy. She knew it from the start. She can remember seeing him for the first time at church and then getting to talk to him for the first time when he visited the restaurant where she was waitressing. "I kind of think I liked him from the first time I met him," said Grace. That "like" has blossomed into love over nearly six decades together. "He’s a very, very giving person," said Grace. "Our love has grown throughout the years." Even after all this time Joe continues to surprise her – the latest being his determination to earn his college degree. Grace said Joe got the itch to go back to school after watching his two daughters graduate from college. Joe, who entered the military before finishing high school, and eventually became a decorated World War II veteran, had to get his GED before he could go back to school. Joe studied up and took a test at the University of Rochester to get his high school equivalency and then entered Genesee Community College to earn his associate's in art/general studies. Upon completion, he decided to attend SUNY Brockport. At a student orientation, Joe met Professor Richard Frey and was immediately impressed with his caring. "Brockport’s environment was very demanding on me," said Joe. "He was helpful and ended up being my mentor." Frey said the admiration went both ways. He believes that Joe is a professor’s dream. "We give a lot of lip service to lifelong learning," said Frey. "Joe has really lived it. He’s our favorite type of student." Frey said Joe’s life experience added to classroom discussion and his desire to learn for learning’s sake was refreshing. Even with Frey’s guidance Joe had a lot to overcome, including a hearing problem and trying to fit in with students 60 years younger than he was. "When I first stepped into the classroom being an octogenarian I felt a little out of place," said Joe. "They helped me with the homework instructions I couldn’t hear, and even treated me like a father figure." Joe sat as close as he could to the professor to compensate for his diminished hearing and used his solid writing skills to make up for test scores. College work was nothing like the masonry work he had done most of his life, or his work as a maintenance man for the City of Rochester, or even his last job at the Water Works before he finally retired at the age of 69. However, it was his work and life experience that gave him the knowledge to earn his GED and eventually his diploma. "It just shows that there are other things that can educate you besides a classroom," said Joe. Even though his college days are done, Joe is far from learning. "I love to read and I’ve even written a book about all my brothers that I’m going to see what I can do with," said Joe. And while he learns, it appears as though he is teaching everyone around him. "I’m pretty sure that someone up there is watching over me," said Joe "College has taught me that nothing comes easy. If you want something you have to work for it." |
