Longtime Club members Rita Gallagher and her husband G. Michael "Gus" Gallagher described how much they both appreciated knowing Granados over the years. Granados said how much it meant to him that the Gallaghers were so kind as to remember the staff with yearly Christmas gifts.
Club members bid farewell to Jose Granados after longtime career at Reliable Source
A mutual outpouring of gratitude and friendship was in evidence Wednesday as Club members and fellow employees recognized Reliable Source server Jose Granados for his 35 years of service to the National Press Club.
Granados, who began working at the Club on Nov. 9, 1989, retired on Feb. 28.
“I feel great. I’m so happy to be here with all the members who came to see me and say, ‘bye-bye,’” Granados said. “I think of them and am so happy they gave me big hugs.”
Rita Gallagher and her husband G. Michael (Gus) Gallagher with Jose Granados. Photo by Noël-Marie Fletcher.
Jose Granados (right) poses next to historian and nonfiction author Nicholas (Nick) Reynolds and his wife Becky. Photo by Noël-Marie Fletcher.
Members spoke throughout the evening about how Granados not only memorized their Club member numbers but knew about themselves and their families.
Historian and nonfiction author Nicholas Reynolds and his wife, Becky, both said they wouldn’t have missed the event to recognize Granados for his care and contributions. Reynolds noted that he met his wife in El Salvador, which is Granados’ homeland.
Former NPC Presidents Donna Leinwand Leger and Angela Greiling Keane stand with Jose Granados. Photo by Noël-Marie Fletcher.
Former Club Presidents Donna Leinwand Leger and Angela Greiling Keane also stopped by to thank Granados during his retirement reception in the Truman Lounge. Keane recalled first meeting him after moving to Washington, D.C. in 1997 as a college student and joining the press club.
"Jose always has a smile for everyone. I always appreciated how hard he worked to make sure members and guests had memorable visits to the Club," Leinwand Leger said.