Hughie Levoy

Chicago Kid: from Whence I Came Hughie Levoy

Originally I thought that my reason for writing was to share the interesting, significant events in my childhood, teenage and young life. I also wanted to share the impact that the eight humble heroes (Pat Seerey, Father Laske, Mary Galvin, my parents, Mike Judge, John Kennedy, and my wife) had upon me in giving me direction and support. But, the more I think about motivation, the more I go back to the scene in chapter one where I?m sitting on the curb, having been left out of the street softball game because I was the smallest and youngest kid on the block. Right then and there I started musing, and as life went on, I realized that someday I would tell my story and be heard. Hughie Boy would get his chance.

It seemed as though hunger had been my motivation all through my life. Hunger to tap the nickel on the pew and get attention from Daddy, hunger to play softball on the street with the older guys, hunger for a better house to live in, hunger for an education beyond high school, hunger for friends, and maybe one special friend. Finally, perhaps a fatal quest, hunger for perfection, oneness with God.

No better example of my personal hunger can be found other than Chapter 5, my favorite. The story of Uncle Domnick , and the episode involving Mike Judge are scenes I enjoy reading again and again. Those relationships I established with the two of them, and also later in the Chapter with my father, tell me much about myself. I see so clearly why I was attracted to John Kennedy, entered the seminary, and eventually chose to help educate the children of Chicago.