Pennsbury Honors Bus Driver Of The Year

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA — A 17-year veteran with Pennsbury School District has been named the district's School Bus Driver of the Year.

Thomas "Scotty" McGoldrick received the honor from district Transportation Director Charlie Williams at the bus drivers' annual kickoff meeting last month.

McGoldrick currently transports students on Bus No. 123 to Oxford Valley Elementary School, the middle school campus, and to Pennsbury High School. He also drives students on classroom extension trips.

McGoldrick was born in Motherwell, Scotland, a steel mill town 12 miles from Glasgow. His colleagues often call him "Scotty" as a result of his warm, Scottish accent. He came to the United States in 1958 and joined the U.S. Army in 1959.

Following his training at Fort Dix and Fort Hood, McGoldrick was stationed in Germany with the 51st Infantry, 4th Armored Division. Prior to joining Pennsbury, McGoldrick served for many years as a driver for a regional trucking company, as a machine operator for the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company and for IBM.

An active musician, McGoldrick began playing the trumpet when he was 12 years old. He played in the Boys’ Brigade bugle and pipe bands as well as the Salvation Army Band in Scotland. Today, he still performs with the 70-member Tri-County Band in local parades, veterans' homes, retirement communities and at the Grange Fair.

He raised his family in the Pennsbury School District and now enjoys his clan of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He also likes getting to know his student passengers and their family members.

"I try and make their ride as pleasant as possible," McGoldrick said. "I love the kids."

He does, however, acknowledge that the middle school students can be his biggest challenge. "You have to remain as calm as you can," he said.

He's also known for his catchphrase, "What seems to be the major malfunction?" which is known to delight his students and colleagues.