The Bridgeport Farmers Market has a Community Dinner several times a year at the Bridgeport Conference Center.  I had the privilege of getting to know Joseph "Babe" Tiano and his wife, Frances, on Wednesday evening.  It was a pleasure to sit by someone so positive and that shares my love of community service.  It also was his Birthday so if you see Babe, wish him a Happy Belated Birthday.  Please take a moment to meet my new friend Babe.

 

How long have you lived in Bridgeport? Nine years

 

Where are you originally from? Babe is from Clarksburg.  He graduated from Victory High School in 1948.

 

Are you married? Yes, to Frances.  They were married September 20, 1952 (celebrated their 62^nd wedding anniversary last month).  Frances is a 1948 graduate of Washington Irving High School, Babe's rival high school at the time.

 

Children? Babe and Frances have two children.  Mary Kay Greer, Bridgeport and Vincent Tiano, Hixson, Tennessee.  Mary Kay has four children: Joseph, 21, Senior at WVU; Robert and Christopher, 20, Juniors at Marshall and Kathryn Garrett, 26, lives in Huntington.  She is employed by Express Professional Services and a 2006 graduate of BHS.  The three boys are all Eagle Scouts and attended Notre Dame High School graduating in 2011 and 2012, perspectively.  Vincent has one son, Nicholas, 17, a Senior at Baylor High School.  He recently was awarded a full scholarship to play quarterback at Mississippi State.

 

What is your favorite color? Blue

 

Where do you work? Babe is retired from American Tobacco after thirty years of service as a District Representative.  He also worked for Goldsmit-Black for ten years prior to American Tobacco.

 

Favorite Bridgeport spot?  Meadowbrook Mall to visit friends.

 

Favorite place outside of WV?  Tennessee because he enjoys visiting his son and his family.

 

Pets? Rosie, a Scottish Terrier

 

Hobbies? Babe is a volunteer for the Knights of Columbus.  He has been the top recruiter for KoC for sixteen years in a row, recruiting 576 members.  He also assists with KoC bingo on Thursdays.  He truly enjoys giving back to the community and finds it very rewarding.  Many of the friends he has made during his years volunteering have become like family.

 

Interesting fact about you?  Babe is pretty good at using technology for his age (according to his wife Frances).  He plays online Tiger Woods golf on the internet with friends he has made playing all over the world. He also is an avid football fan.  

 

Babe served four years in the United States Air Force.  He served three years an enlisted man and one year in North Africa during the Korean War establishing the 5th Air Division.  Thank you for your service Babe.