A mentor is an individual, in most cases older, but always more experienced. A mentor helps and guides another individual’s development. This guidance is done without the expectation of personal or monetary gain on the mentor’s part. Mentors can be friends, relatives, coworkers, teachers, coaches or employers. There is no official title or credentials required beyond that. A good mentor needs to be more than just a successful individual. A good mentor must also have the disposition and desire to mould, shape and develop other people’s talents. Great mentors must be able to both “talk the talk” and “walk the walk.”

Most adults can name one person who had a significant and positive impact on them. Whether it was a teacher, a coach, a boss, a pastor or a parent, chances are that someone, somewhere along life’s journey acted as a mentor to you.

In my case that person was Mr. Gene Perry. Gene is responsible for so much of what I have and what I have achieved in life. Gene was a great man – he was a teacher, a father figure and he was my friend.

Gene Perry worked his entire life as a printer and in 1978 with his wife Cathy, opened a small print shop in Tilbury, Ontario, appropriately named Perry Graphics. I remember our first meeting at Perry Graphics; one night after supper I went to see him regarding a part-time job, like most days back then he was working late. When I walked into the back shop to meet him for the first time, he was working on his Heidelberg Windmill Letterpress. I remember being very intimidated because the press appeared to be alive. The arms of the press were spinning round and grabbing sheets of paper. The press was breathing as though it had a set of lungs. The huffing and puffing sounds that the press was making sounded as though it was trying to catch its breath from being overworked. Gene gave me my first lesson on the letterpress that same night and at the end of the lesson he took a chance, hired me on the spot and my life as a printer had officially begun.

Gene made an immediate impact on my life. In the years that followed, he not only taught me all the workings of the press room and bindery departments, but also the little tricks and fixes that I still rely on today.

The print business has seen many changes since then and some of what Gene taught me is no longer relevant. However, Gene’s hard work and fairness prepared me for my career as a printer and his values of honesty, sincerity and trust, I consider the three most important keys to success.

Even when he wasn’t teaching and passing on his trade, I was still watching and learning. Gene lived a very giving life. Giving to his family, his friends and his community. When I was working at Perry Graphics it was a common sight to drive past the shop on Superior Street late at night and see the lights on and if you looked through the front window you would see Gene running the press. Despite the late hours and dedication to his business, his family always came first.

During my time at Perry Graphics the printing business was booming and the shop was always busy, a little crazy at times but always fun. It was a great job. I treasure my time working for Gene and Cathy and have so many fond memories from the years I spent there.

After I left Perry Graphics, a few years passed before Gene and I were able to reconnect. It started with a simple phone call with one of us seeking a favour from the other and that’s how it was; every couple months he would phone or I would phone whenever one of us would need the others help. We had many conversations. We shared stories of our families and reminisced of the Perry Graphics glory days. We talked about the printing business and how it’s changed. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to rebuild a friendship and working relationship with Gene before he passed.

I truly appreciate and value everything I have learned from my mentor. Gene passed away January 19, 2015. It was his passing that caused me to stop and reevaluate where I was at in my life. I realized that I did not enjoy or like the path I was on. So the final lesson Gene taught me was one of courage, and to not be afraid to take chances and change paths. So the Planet Print seed was planted and I am now the proud owner of that same Heidelberg Windmill Letterpress that Gene taught me my first lesson on 30 years ago.