Grand Marshals Chosen for Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade

The following news was submitted by the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the annual Hometown Christmas Parade.

Ginny de Steiger did not believe her husband, Ray, when he told her they had been chosen as Grand Marshals for the 2012 Greater Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Hometown Christmas Parade.

"I thought Ray had the message wrong," Ginny reported. Stunned and excited, the de Steigers returned from their winter hiatus in Bonita Springs, FL to the happy realization that they had indeed been chosen to lead the historic parade down Rochester's Main Street.

Ray admits to being totally surprised at the honor. The semi-retired owner of Ray Electric and his wife of 62 years have lived in Rochester Hills for almost 50 years. 
The nominations submitted in their honor tell a tale of enthusiastic involvement in the life of the community. Beginning with scouts and developing through Rotary, Crittenton Hospital, Avon Players, Oakland University, Meadow Brook Theatre, the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester and more, the de Steigers led by example, giving freely of their time and treasure.

Mrs. de Steiger is a charter member and past president of the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan. Ginny says the de Steiger family has a history of Hometown Christmas Parade involvement also. "The boys were in the Parade as scouts, we had a baton twirler in the Parade and our son David even had the job of walking behind the Parade's horses to keep the street clean." 

The couple has raised four children, three of whom have decided to make the greater Rochester area their home and continue their parents' community involvement. Son Peter serves on the Crittenton Hospital Board and David has been Chairman of the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester. Daughter-in-law Chris works on the Crittenton Hospital Gourmet Gala and Judy is active with Ginny in promoting the Women's Fund, a partnership of donors, grantees and volunteers working to support programs for women. The de Steigers are grandparents to 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. 

Ginny says she has composed a letter of thanks to the community for this honor. "The parade is such a big part of what we love and who we are," the former Rochester High School teacher explained, "It is part of our values, and we are truly touched."