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WHEREAS, in the words of Teddy Roosevelt, “Far and away the best prize in life that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” The work of James A. Takacs, currently a Telecommunications Inspector for the City of Pittsburgh and ready to retire after a successful career, has proven to be work worth doing; and,
WHEREAS, Jim Takacs, a lifelong resident of the Hays Section of the City, a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School and Community College of Allegheny County, began working for the City in 2001 as a Telecommunications Inspector, first for the Cable Bureau and then later, when the work switched to the Department of Public Works , added street inspections, rights of way and service center complaints to his responsibilities as an Inspector out of the 4th Division which oversees Southside, Carrick, Beltzhoover and Brookline ; and,
WHEREAS, prior to his employment with the City of Pittsburgh, Jim capped off a successful 32 year career with Bell Telephone Co. of PA as a Lineman, Cable Splicer and Construction Supervisor. During that time, Jim enlisted in the Army and during his four years of active duty, he attended Infantry Officer Candidate School, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant. He continued his training in Paratrooper School and then on to the Elite Army Ranger School where he was awarded the coveted Ranger Tab ; and,
WHEREAS, after being injured after stepping on a land mine to Vietnam in 1970 and spending 4 months recuperating, Jim returned to active duty, was assigned as the Executive Officer of the Third Ranger Company, attained the rank of Captain, ultimately attending the Advanced Paratrooper Jumpmaster Course and becoming a Field Instructor for the Army Ranger School. Upon release from active duty, he spent 8 years in the Reserves and retired with the rank of Major. Jim received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachute Jump Wings, Ranger Tab, Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for his dedica...
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