Tolland school bus driver puts it in park after 40 years

Jun. 24—TOLLAND — Second-grader David Hassler, 10, had a special way of showing his bus driver, Nancy Leon, 78, affection each time he climbed onto her bus in the morning to head to school.

David, who has Down syndrome and is non-verbal, would reach out to touch her hand, David's mother Mary Hassler said. And on his way off the bus in the afternoon, he would give her pats.

That was his way of showing love for Leon, Mary said.

BUS DRIVER

WHO: Tolland resident and mother of three, Nancy Leon, 78.

WHAT: Retiring after 40 years on the road.

Described as a sweet, happy, and active child, David, like most children, would push the limit sometimes, Mary admitted.

Some days, he would try to climb on Leon's lap and on others, he would remove his shoes and socks — always with a big smile on his face, Mary said, adding that the young boy would also sometimes "throw them and they would land all over the place."

But Leon would laugh, Mary said. She never showed annoyance.

"Nancy was always patient, accommodating, and smiled through it all," Mary added. "David can't form the words, but I know he just loves Nancy and will miss her terribly."

Leon has been driving school buses in town for 40 years. This school year is her last in the job, following her decision to retire.

For her first 25 years, Leon drove a standard size school bus, then switched over to a smaller bus that carried mostly special needs children.

"Over the years it was really a fun job," she said. "The kids were great for the most part."

Beginning her career in 1981, Leon said she picked up the job as a part-time worker, which she was advised to do by her mortgage advisor.

"So I did, just thinking this would be a temporary thing — but it wasn't," she said. "It just kind of stuck"

Raising three children in town, Leon said the hours of a bus driver were perfect, and she had summers off to spend with her own kids.

Leon has a trove of stories from her bus driving days, but recently recalled one the most frightening.

One winter morning in the mid-1980s, Leon was transporting high school students to school. Snow was coming down and the Beatles were playing on the radio, she said.

Despite how slow she was driving, the bus hit black ice coming down a hill and the large vehicle spun complete around.

"Thank God there were no cars coming," she said of that day. "I was just so relieved that everyone was OK and the kids in the back just started clapping."

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