Community Celebrates Longtime McDonald's Employee's Retirement
After 33 years of dedicated service, a longtime employee of a local McDonald’s celebrated his retirement Monday surrounded by friends and family.
Daniel Lybrink of Howell began working at McDonald’s in April of 1984 as the “lobby manager”. With over three decades of service under his belt, Daniel, who has Down Syndrome, is known for his work ethic and contagious smile.
A surprise party celebrating Daniel’s retirement was held at the Brighton McDonald’s Monday, filling the lobby with his friends, family, and community members who have all been impacted by Daniel’s lovable personality. The event included cake, gifts, and a memory book for guests to sign. David Glynn, General Manager at the Brighton McDonald’s, has worked with Daniel for 13 years. Above all else, he says Daniel “makes everybody feel special”.
Glynn’s praise was echoed by Daniel’s co-worker, Ruthan Knarr, who describes Daniel as a responsible, polite, and courteous employee, as well as the sweetest man she’s ever met. He is always smiling no matter what kind of day he’s having, according to staff member Rachel Meredith.
Daniel says his fellow employees are his “other family” and that he felt pride seeing how many people showed up to his party to celebrate him. Speaking in reference to his job, Daniel jokingly says “I don’t ever leave”, and is looking forward to retirement.
Molly Wisuri, Daniel’s caregiver of 16 years, says in June she will be moving him and his roommates from their place in Fowlerville to Manistee near Lake Michigan. There, Wisuri says he and his roommates will enjoy retirement and the rest of their lives together with plans for lots of fishing, traveling, and continuing to participate in Special Olympics. (DK)
CeeLoSlice on May 9th, 2017 at 16:09 UTC »
My brother, who has mental and physical handicaps which never got a diagnosis, had a work/life program at his high school. They taught basic life skills such as cooking and folding laundry. He requires 24-hour care, so these skills were more for him to "help" his caregiver (my mother, my wife, or myself, typically.)
Anyways, the work part of the program had him helping with small tasks at the local Whataburger. Think of your dream job, amplify it by 1,000, and that's how my brother felt. Everybody loves Whataburger, but it's a freaking way of life for him. I've never seen the pride in himself before, as he had when he had a "big man job" like his little bro. That, coupled with a daily salary of a burger and he was in heaven.
Good for this dude working for 33 years. That's an accomplishment many don't even have the drive for.
Frank_Wotan on May 9th, 2017 at 15:47 UTC »
A guy with Down Syndrome used to work the cash register at the Wendy's in my town. He was the single best fast food employee I have ever seen, because he actually gave a shit about his job. He was awesome.
BeautifulIowa on May 9th, 2017 at 15:41 UTC »
This guy is the best! I've seen him multiple times and he is extremely kind, compassionate and helpful! Good luck buddy we will miss you!!!