JCL Interview

Page history last edited by Jenna LaRosa 13 years, 4 months ago

I interviewed my step-father, The Rev. Derik Justin Roy, Jr. He has worked as the priest at Christ Episcopal Church in Ballston Spa for 19 years. He is 60 years old and one of the wisest and most insightful men I know. Although we do not agree on all things, like our opinions of Thomas Jefferson and the constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase (which is a frequent debate topic in the LaRosa-Roy household), he always brings forth knowledgable points and arguments. He is an outstanding preacher and has touched many lives.

Q:When were you born?

A:1952 in Albany until I left in 1974 for graduate school in Wisconsin.

Q:What did you study in Graduate school?

A:My degree is in Divinity, or theology and counseling at a Seminary for three years.

Q:Have you ever met any famous people?

A:why yes! they range from the archbishop of Canterbury to Robert Redford, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bart Starr and George W.H. Bush

Q;When/where did you meet George Bush?

A:In 1988 in Grayling, Michigan. He vice-president under Reagan during his political campaign for the presidency.

Q:Under what circumstances did you meet him?

A:He came to Grayling because there is a National Guard training camp there, I was in Grayling serving there as the Episcopal priest. Before he came to town he had requested if the Episcopal priest could meet and pray with him before his rally at the training camp. Before meeting with me they had to do a background check on me, to make sure I wouldn't be a threat. I wasn't allowed to drive to meet him, a car had to be sent from the National Guard camp to pick me up.

Grayling, Michigan

Q:What was he like?

A:He was very personable and seemed warm and friendly.

Q:Did you like him as a politician?

A:Up to that point he had been he had been Vice President under Reagan, and I didn't like Reagan (Because he looks like one of those creepy plastic masks). I didn't really like him as President either. When I met him I typically did not like Republicans and did not have a good opinion of him going into the meeting; but it was a big honor, so I tried to be open minded.

Q:Who was your favorite president?

A:As a person probably Jimmy Carter, but I think the country was in a very good place under Clinton. In general they both seemed more concerned for the middle/lower class people.

Q:How is the world different now from when you were growing up?

A:It's completely the same and different. It is much faster pace, the technology is an extreme change. Values and morals have declined. For the most part, the things that matter most, friendship and relationships, have stayed the same.

Q:Which event do you remember the most vividly from your childhood

A:I remember watching as a kid the first men walking on the moon and JFK being assassinated. I was in sixth grade when he was shot, I remember all the adults being very shaken and sad, I felt frightened because it seemed as if the secure little world I was living in was falling apart. On the news I saw Oswald getting shot by Ruby and the funeral. For three or four days it seemed all everyone did was watch news updates about what had happened.