Gulf Pine Catholic

24 Gulf Pine Catholic • March 6, 2020 Embracing his dad’s legacy of giving earns Crapo prestigious honor from City of Biloxi Greg Crapo, center, receives a loving cup for being named the Biloxi Lions Club’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year for 2019 from 2018 recipient Lee Ann Dubaz. At right is Jerry Dodge. BY TERRY DICKSON BILOXI -- As a young man, Greg Crapo didn’t have to look far for a role model because, his was living under the same roof -- his dad, Leo. It was from his dad that Greg learned the importance of helping oth- ers, especially those most in need. As a result, Greg Crapo was recently named Biloxi’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year for 2019, joining a stellar list of past recipients, includ- ing the 1967 honoree -- his dad, Leo. Greg Crapo, executive director for Catholic Charities of South Mississippi and director of the Diocese of Biloxi’s ministry to the deaf com- munity, accepted the award Feb. 19 at a lun- cheon hosted by the Biloxi Lions Club. At the cere- mony, his dad weighed heavily on his mind. “I can pinpoint the day, time, month and year that my eyes were open to community service, and what it means to give back from the blessings that we’ve received,” said Greg Crapo. “For me, it was Saturday morning, March 1, 1975. At about 7 o’clock in the morning, my dad was driving me to the March of Dimes Walkathon at Edgewater Mall. We were talking and he was asking me how many pledges I had gotten. When I told him how much money I had raised, he said, ‘Oh no, that’s not going to work.’ He said, ‘Put me down for a dollar a mile.’ “A dollar a mile back then was pretty hefty. Most of the pledges were for a nickel or ten cents.” However, Leo Crapo never made good on his pledge. “He died that night around midnight. I was 14 years old,” said Greg. “Now, when something like that happens, things can go two ways. You can become bitter and give up, or you can take to higher aspirations. The people around you formulate your decision. I watched my fantastic mother step up and take on everything my dad did. She took over the family business, and the strength she showed contin- ues to inspire me to this day. With the mom that I had, how could I not want to make her proud of everything I do?” Following in the footsteps of his father, there’s no way Greg Crapo can do wrong. “He left me an amazing example to live by,” said Greg. “His wonderful friends each stepped in and, in some way, continue to provide direction and inspiration for me. They all kept tabs on me and treated me like I was one of their own.” Greg Crapo said that list of friends and role models grew after he left college and entered the real world, and the one thing they all had in common was that they were all recipients of the Outstanding Citizen Loving Cup. “Today, I am humbled and honored to join them,” he said. “I can’t say that I feel worthy or deserving of it, but I can say that this will be my motivation to try to become worthy.” However, longtime friend and fellow Lions Club member Ronnie Cochran disagrees, and feels his friend is most worthy of this honor for all the good works of service he does, and not just in the Lions Club. “His efforts carry over into the entire community,” said Cochran, who nominated Crapo for the award. “He encourages people of all ages to reach their full potential, and is a supportive friend to many. He under- takes all projects with the truest sense of altruism, serving above and beyond without remuneration and, often, with- out due credit, which he does not seek.” At the end of his remarks, Greg Crapo thanked several people, but he saved the final word of gratitude for his role model. “Thank you for that one dollar pledge, dad. It changed my life.” Pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Biloxi by visiting www.invisiblemonastery.com