The Messenger - December 2, 2010 - The Last Lesson

Pastor's Corner

"The Last Lesson"

As our children begin to anticipate their Christmas break from school and their teachers try to "wrap up" good lesson plans, it's appropriate for us to remember a wonderful teacher from our church. His name was Mitch Mardesich.

Mitch taught history at San Pedro High for more than 25 years. Before that, he taught at Washington High in South Central Los Angeles, where he met his late wife, Marilyn. Before that, he taught at Wilmington Junior High.

Mitch came from a famous family in San Pedro. His Father, Joe Mardesich, Senior, founded the Franco-Italian Packing Company in 1924, and that company soon employed many parents of Mitch's friends. Following the untimely death of his mother in 1941, Mitch was sent to boarding schools, first at Leimert park, then at Menlo Park, next to Stanford University, where Mitch would graduate from college in 1956. In spite of this "privileged" past, Joe wanted to make sure that his 3 children were not "spoiled", so Mitch spent several summers working in the cannery along with sister Marie and brother Joe, Junior. Mitch began paying social security at the tender age of 12.

Mitch's contacts with our city were also strengthened in 1950, when Mitch returned to San Pedro for his last 2 years of high school. When coach John Santschi discovered Mitch's talent for blocking, he recruited Mitch to play both guard and forward in the "single wing formation" of the San Pedro High Football Team. Shortly after his graduation from high school, Mitch's father died, but the devotion that Joe Sr, demonstrated to faith, family and community lived on in his offspring.

Mitch's devotion to community was demonstrated through his service on the Mission Commission of our church, which he served for 2 decades. He also served on the board of the YMCA Men's Club and the Toberman Settlement House for many years. Finally, his passion for local history was transferred to the San Pedro Bay Historical Society, where he served as president, and to the First Presbyterian Church, whose history he chronicled through the years. Mitch was particularly proud of his efforts to compile the wonderful sermons of Dr. Andrew MacCormick, who drew hundreds of new families into the church, and Mitch spearheaded the drive to rename our "Fireside Room" in Dr. MacCormick's honor.

Sometime during this season, Mitch also decided to purchase a life insurance policy that benefited the First Presbyterian Church. I do not know how much he paid for that policy or the number of years he paid it, but I do know that Mitch lived very modestly, practicing great frugality in his choice of housing, food, and clothes. Thus, we were shocked to receive a check for $102,000 from the Pacific Life Insurance Company upon the settlement of his estate. Mitch's voice is now silent both in our schools and in our church, but his heritage lives on through this generous gift from his estate. To me, that gift now serves as the last lesson of self-sacrifice and commitment from a devoted teacher whose enthusiasm for our church--and for our city--will now live on for years to come.

I'll see you on Sunday!

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Ladies Ministry Christmas Tea

Monday, December 6, 2010
Start at 7:00 PM at McCormick (Fireside) Room

Let's begin tis' season with a lovely cup of tea and entertainment. Please bring an ornament if you'd like to participate in gift exchange.

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Christmas Carol Sing and Dessert

Friday, December 10, 2010
6:30 PM ? 8:00 PM
McCormick (Fireside) Room

Take a break from the frenzy of the Christmas season and enjoy an evening of Christmas carols, fellowship and dessert. All ages welcome.

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