Quiet Giants : Pat Vickroy
The current Executive Director , Mike Luevano , considers Vickroy a “ cornerstone ” of the program . “ He has a calming way about him that makes people participate from the heart ,” Luevano said . “ It ’ s hard to find a person that is as genuine as Pat Vickroy .”
Carlos Pineda , director of Hospitality and Culinary Services at Rebekah Children ’ s Services , and Leadership Gilroy board member , believes Vickroy brings a “ unique personality and energy ” to the program . Pineda ’ s introduction to Vickroy took place at Glenview Elementary school . “ I was a chubby little boy in school and PE wasn ’ t my favorite ,” he recalled . “ But when Mr . Vickroy would come in he ’ d have this music that was just fun and energetic . And he ’ d always have that positive voice , ‘ You can do it , let me help you .’”
Vickroy continues to be an encouraging influence on Pineda ’ s life . “ He says I ’ m someone he watches and is excited to keep seeing me in the community . Knowing that he does that for me … it ’ s very rewarding .”
Vickroy ’ s management of GUSD ’ s annual event , Run for Fitness , impressed Jaime Rosso , former GUSD board member . “ Pat just kind of took off with it , he practically owned it , he was the focal point ,” Rosso said . “ He was such an inspirational figure for the kids who just truly loved him . He inspired the kids , he pushed them to be active and to take ownership .” Dr . Deborah A . Flores , GUSD ’ s Superintendent agrees . “ Run for Fitness was successful for so many years because of Pat ’ s hard work and dedication ,” she said . “ What ’ s amazing is that there are ten to twelve of us [ now ] on our planning committee who organize and run the event when Pat did it almost single-handedly , with just a few helpers . I would just like to say how much we appreciated Pat , both as an elementary physical education teacher … and as the creator and organizer of Run for Fitness for so many years . His selfless dedication and hard work was a tremendous asset to our district .”
Five years ago , after 37 years of service to his credit , Vickroy retired . He admits there were days when the stresses of the job took their toll , but his motivation to continue remained the same : the kids . “ The joy that they brought into my life , I don ’ t even have a word to express how it just touches your heart ,” Vickroy said , tears welling in his eyes . “ No amount of money in the world can give you that feeling of unabated love that they show you .”
Former student of Vickroy ’ s , Jacob Beardsley , admits he hated school and never wanted to go , with one exception . “ Mr . Vickroy was one bright spot in elementary school that I could look forward to ,” Beardsley said . “ He was the best elementary school teacher anybody could possibly have .”
TOP LEFT : Pat leads students in the jump rope challenge . RIGHT : Pat and wife Tammy navigate their land yacht at the Monterey Wharf . FAR LEFT : Students under Pat ’ s tutelage joyfuly launch noodles into the stratosphere . LEFT : Pat engaging GUSD students in structured play . OPPOSITE PAGE - TOP Pat displaying his Gourmet Alley Scampi prowess for Festival goers . MIDDLE LEFT : Pat and brother Jon , aka ; “ Pyro Boys ” on the 2010 Garlic Cook off Stage with Sam Bozzo and Gene Sakahara , aka ; Saka-Bozzo , and KRON ’ s Jan Wahl . MIDDLE RIGHT : Pat at the 2010 Run for Fitness . BOTTOM LEFT : Pat ’ s impact is evident in the numerous letters he ’ s received from past students . BOTTOM RIGHT : Pat and Tammy at home in Gilroy .
Images provided by Pat Vickroy family and Tony Scotino : tonyscotino @ gmail . com
82 SUMMER 2021 gmhTODAY Magazine gmhtoday . com