To the Editor:

I just wanted to take a moment to share a story, in testament to the character of a local man, and also because I think it’s an example of the indelible connections and relationships that graduates of the Guilderland Central School District are fortunate to call theirs, even decades after they’ve moved to other places or stages of life.

I’m a 2001 graduate of Guilderland High School, and, when I was a kid, my most memorable bus driver was John Nitsky, who served the district for almost 20 years, from 1981 to 2000. He had Mickey Mouse mounted on the front of his bus, as I’m sure many will remember, but, when I was on his route, there was a brief period of time during which Mickey wasn’t there.

I don’t remember the reason why he’d been removed, but I’m assuming it was because he needed some repair or upkeep work done. What I do remember, though, was missing seeing Mickey there and regularly asking Mr. Nitsky when he was coming back. Mr. Nitsky, one of the nicest gentlemen I’ve ever known, always assured me that he’d be back soon.

When Mickey did reappear on the front of the bus one day, he was holding a carefully hand-written sign that read, “Hi Tara, I’m back!” I never forgot that. He even invited me to take the paper out of the sign when I got off the bus that day and bring the message home to keep.

As a child, I was thrilled with that surprise. As an adult, looking back on it, I was always touched by the gesture.

Last month, 20-plus years later, I was home visiting my family, and was at Mike’s Diner having breakfast. We saw that one of the people sitting in the booth next to ours was Mr. Nitsky.

When it looked like they were wrapping up, I went over and re-introduced myself, explaining who I was and how I had always remembered him. We chatted a little; he talked about how he’s been retired from the district for 15 years, and I talked about living in Elmira now and how I was getting married in a few weeks.

He asked for my address and said he had something he wanted to send me, so I gave him both mine and my parents’ addresses. I thought it was sweet that he probably wanted to send a card.

Two days before my wedding, my parents arrived on my doorstep with the very same Mickey from the front of the bus. He was not only holding balloons and a card, but a sign, done in the exact same writing and colors as the sign from two decades ago, and it read, “Best Wishes Tara!” Mr. Nitsky had personally brought him to my parents’ house and asked if they could get him to me.

There are certainly a lot of stories out there that brides could tell, but I can’t imagine that any of them can say they received such a thoughtful wedding gift from their childhood school bus driver. That a lovely memory in the form of Mickey unexpectedly reappeared at such a significant moment in my life so many years later, it’s a feeling that’s difficult to articulate, but one rooted in joy and deep appreciation.

I’m sure that I’m not the only one in our community to have crossed paths with this man and know that he is a truly exceptional and caring individual. On behalf of myself and others who have been lucky enough to know your kindness, Mr. Nitsky, thank you.

Tara Maxwell Burke

Elmira

Editor’s note: Tara Maxwell Burke graduated from Guilderland High School in 2001.