Industry Veteran Johnny Beaver Given a Rousing Sendoff

When Johnny Beaver retired in March after 51 years in the elevator business, his friends and coworkers at Schindler Elevator in Charlotte, North Carolina, wanted to give him the best party they could. Unfortunately, his retirement came just as the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to take hold. Social distancing and other lockdown measures designed to slow the spread of the disease had become the new order of the day, so the usual retirement party was a no-go. But, elevator folks aren’t the type to let such an occasion pass unnoticed, so they did the next best thing: They staged a farewell vehicle parade in front of Beaver’s home, complete with signs, flags and honking horns. The event, captured by television station WSOCTV9, was a rousing sendoff indeed. Beaver, visibly moved by the celebration, exclaimed, “Today has been a ball, like a rollercoaster!” Matt Davis, general manager of the Schindler office, heaped praise on the five-decade industry veteran, saying, “He has the biggest heart in the world.” Waving and pointing to friends as they slowly drove past, Beaver said, “This was very special. It really was. It was put together with some really good friends.”