Roski's Remarks - Chino, CA

In Memory of Edward P. Roski, Sr. (October 9, 1916 to October 6, 2000)

I suppose you could say my father was anything but extraordinary.

He was the son of a poor, immigrant family from Poland. He grew up in the emotional and financial hurricane of the depression. He never finished high school.

After spending time in the Navy in World War II, he moved from Oklahoma to Southern California with his wife and child to begin a new life. His resume? Broke. Polish. Uneducated.

My father did what he knew how to do. He put his nose to the ground - and worked.

Harder than the next guy. He learned his business not from a book, but from what he saw, what he heard, and what he felt. He learned to trust the one thing he owned: his instincts.

And the more he learned, and the harder he worked, the greater his love and passion for business grew. He loved doing business.

He became a student of the art of business. Real estate business. He loved everything about it. Working eye-to-eye with people. Creating something from nothing. Creating jobs and sculpting communities.

But, why my father? Why was he so successful? It was his sincerity. His word meant something.

If he told you he’d get it done, he’d get it done. Many a deal was made on a handshake; because people knew they could trust him.

And because he knew who he was and where he came from - he respected everyone.

My father may have never been a gifted speaker, but he was comfortable to talk to.

And it didn’t matter if it was the gardener or the President of General Electric, he respected you. He listened to you. He enjoyed you.

My father was loved by his employees. Because he loved them. One thing I know, my father found more joy and reward in others’ success than in his own success.

He never raised his voice, and he was never threatening. He never abused his power.

And my gift was being able to walk into his office every day of my working life. He let me fail - and succeed - on my own; always encouraging me to find and trust my own passions and voice.

He was not only my mentor, but also the mentor to so many in our company. He created more than a business; he created a way of doing business.

And everyday I walk through the halls of our offices, I see my father. I see him on the faces of every single person in our company. And in their happiness, I see my father’s happiness.