This collage is a great tribute to my father, Louis Lianez. He was a migrant worker with a 5th grade education who really did live an American dream. He had a huge love for his wife, Antonia and for his family. Although if you were to ask any of my siblings he was trying to kill us with home remedies whenever we were sick. He realized a goal that many never do when he paid off the mortgage to our home. A goal that many never realize, let alone a kid who grew up in migrant camps. He instilled in our family a strong work ethic, many times he worked three or four jobs to keep us fed and clothed. No job was too big or too small and he gave each one a sense of dignity. He was a ground breaker that often went unnoticed. We were the first Mexican ( not Latino at the time) family on “the white side of town” during a time when Mexicans were not welcome in many places but he refused to move. He was the first ( and as far as I know the only) Mexican on the Van Wert police force as part of their reserve program. He was also the first Mexican Union Steward at the Continental Can Company where he worked for over 30 years. Louis was a WWII veteran who rarely talked about his service but he was incredibly proud to have served and to have been in the Navy. I wasn’t until I was in my 30s that he sat and related some of his war stories. I can’t believe that this man, so small in stature, lived through some of the things he finally told us. Because of my father our family became an integral part of the community and he, and our mother paved the way for our success in our chosen fields.

He gave me words of wisdom that I used many times as a management training consultant. One of the many jobs we had was doing landscaping and lawn care for some of the more prominent families in town. I hated this job because many of my richer friends lived in the area and I thought it was demeaning for them to see me doing this work. One particularly hot day I was cussing and fussing and Dad come over to me and asked what I was complaining about. I told him and he said, ” Tommy, what’s that in your hand?” I said, “It’s a weed!” He said, ” No that’s money! Sometimes you just need to know when to shut up, put your head down and get to work! Thanks, Dad.

Tom Lianez, December 18, 2024

Louis Lianez, Location unknown, 1933

Louis J. Lianez at Vine Street Home in his reserve police uniform. Louis was a “1st of” in several categories as were other members of the original family. He was also the 1st Mexican union steward at any manufacturing facility in Van Wert County. The term “Latino” was not used in the 60’s.

Louis loved to travel and on an amazingly tight budget often took us on family trips and vacations. One of our favorite destinations was the Toledo Zoo. He loved a good time! Toledo, Ohio- circa 1965

Louis and his father Genaro. Gary, Indiana 1942

Louis in the National Guard. Location unknown- circa 1948

Louis at home on leave with Antonia, David and Emanuel. Chicago, Illinois Circa 1944

Louis in the national Guard mess. He was also a cook in the Navy and in later years relished making huge Thanksgiving meals and pizzas by the dozen for the many impromptu parties that were a constant at our home.

An early picture of Louis and Antonia. He related to Tom that this was taken in Gary, Indiana but couldn’t remember a date. He did comment, ” I remember how beautiful your mother was that day. I couldn’t stop looking at her.”