Cy's Employee Retires after 43 Years, Has Walmart Greeter Aspirations

After Paul Delivuk graduated from Catonsville High School in 1970, he went to work for Cy's in downtown Catonsville.

And, until he retired two weeks ago, he'd been working there ever since as one of the few employees of the the small store that sells and rents tuxedos, and sells swimwear for the whole family—from babies' suits to prescription goggles.

"He is a fantastic person," Cy's owner Marvin Meyer said of Deviluk. "He's been here a long time, this was his only job. He went from high school to here."

Staying at that particular business for a long time isn't uncommon at Cy's. Meyer himself, at age 87, still works at the store after 63 years.

Deviluk, 60, a resident of Hanover, PA, said the secret to staying at one job for so long is to have fun and enjoy the people you work with.

He recalls back in January 1970, when Meyer's wife Bella hired him. "We (all) got along so great. It was so fun, you just don't want to leave," he said.

For the time being, Delivuk said he's looking for an easy, laid-back job.

"My dream was always to be a Walmart greeter," he said Tuesday. "People laugh. But I think, to just greet the people, say 'hi how are you doing,' I think that would be fun."

Whether he gets that dream job or not, he said that, at 60, he plans to do something. That's because too young to "just stay in, shrivel up and be an old retiree."

He'll be visiting with former employees at Cy's, many with whom he still keeps in touch.

Jeannie Delivuk Mele of Catonsville, Paul's sister, said Cy's has been her brother's life—including his work and social life.

"Everybody knows him," she said. "People ride by and beep and wave. He was a fixture for being there for so many years. He's so lucky."

The store began 73 years ago as a habberdashery—selling clothing for men, women and children, Meyer said.

And Deviluk said that's what the store was when he arrived in January 1970, before people shopped in malls, and still shopped for most everything downtown. Cy's sold everything from bras and girdles to socks and men's suits.

"It was so fun, it was a little general store in the clothing line ... and it all worked. It was such a family atmosphere with the whole family coming in."

Through the years, the fun hasn't stopped, he said, even though the merchandise has become more specialized, and the amount of traffic during his one-hour commute from Hanover has increased—sometimes to two hours.

"Prom season is the best season in the world. It is so much fun," Deviluk said. "The kids are cool." And helping graduates at St. Joe's is another fun time of year, as are helping wedding parties, he said.

He retires with 43 years experience as .... well, at Cy's they aren't specific about titles. "We're a small business. Everyone does everything," Meyer explained of his staff of four.

Even without a title to take away, Deviluk said he's been happy with his job all these years.

"And would I do it again? Yes!" he said.