For maintenance department worker Michael Ustazewski, there is no job too big or too small.

Though most people do not notice, Ustazewski has been an important contributor to JC for almost three years. He is asked to do a variety of jobs ranging from small tasks like fixing jammed lockers to larger ones like remodeling the Maryland Conservatory of Music. Even for a whole staff of workers, these jobs would be overwhelming. Unfortunately, Ustazewski is one of the only maintenance workers left.

Today he is improving the JC environment, but he was a student here from 1968 to 1972. “My homeroom teacher was Father Reipe,” Ustazewski said. “I had a lot of fun freshman year.” His favorite memory was throwing bubble bath in the fountain with his friends.

Before he started working at the school, Ustazewski’s family owned three Exxon gas stations for 35 years. He personally owned a station in Aberdeen for 20 years. Now, for a steady income flow, Ustazewski works as a maintenance man fixing broken electronics or anything else that may be malfunctioning.  This job fits him well, for one of his favorite hobbies is fixing motorcycles. Ustazewski and his son buy motorcycles inexpensively, fix them, and make them worth much more.

Ustazewski is never without a job to do. Being one of the only maintenance men, he is always very busy. Even when there is nothing to “fix,” Ustazewski usually does maintenance work on something to prevent it from breaking down in the future.

For a retirement job, working as a maintenance man is really difficult. Even though he may feel overwhelmed at times, Ustazewski still lives by his motto: “Do the best you can.”

Nico Cvach can be reached for comment at [email protected].