WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2015
PAGE 22
SAM
cont. from pg. 16
pray for them.
“I beep my horn on my scrapper at
friendship,” he said. “And as the years go
by, in a private way you feel like you get
to know them in your heart.”
Enrique and Suli Olavarria have been
walking the beach at Crandon Park every
morning for years. They have grown to
know and appreciate the man in the giant
truck.
“He’s totally humble, and a super nice
guy,” Enrique said. “He’s always trying
to help people, and he always honks his
horn and says hello to everybody.”
Suli Olavarria appreciates what Wims
means to the community.
“Many times we get used to the way
things are without giving it much thought.
That is the case with our [Crandon] beach.
It’s beautiful and always well taken care
of thanks to Sam’s 45 years of dedication.
Everyone was truly happy when he got his
award, which also tells you what a nice
guy he is.”
Sergio Mejias has been working with
Wims for more than a decade. He said his
senior coworker is a model employee.
“Sam is a master on a lot of heavy
equipment. He can drive a backhoe, front
end loader, all kinds of equipment,”
Mejias said. “Whenever a supervisor asks
him to do anything, he’s willing and able
and never says no.”
People are a big part of what Wims said
makes his job a joy. He appreciates the diversity of Key Biscayne and admires immigrants who have the courage to live in
a foreign land.
“I’ve seen people come in from other
countries. I observe them and it’s like
they’re looking for freedom,” he said.
“I’ve never been out of the United States,
and I don’t know what it would feel like
to be in another country.
“And I feel if I keep living right, one
day maybe I’m going to get to go to somebody’s country, too. That would be nice.”
Meanwhile, the prospect of retirement
is bittersweet for Wims. He said he and
his wife, Loraine, have been talking about
the big decision. He thinks next year may
be the year he finally retires. He said he
then simply wants to spend more time in
the church and figure out a way to help
others anyway he can.
But for now, Wims is just appreciating
the time he has left on the Key, realizing
the sands of time will eventually bring
change.
“I hate to give it up,” he said. “I just
love the peace and the scenery, but you
can’t do it forever.”
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