Ron "Short Stop" McQuaigue was arrested over 500 times for public intoxication. He was, in the public imagination at the time, the picture of a street alcoholic. After his 499th night in the Guest House, it might have been fair to ask whether one more time could possibly make a difference. Someone may have thought his case was hopeless.
Despite all odds, Ron began his journey of recovery in 1991 and credited the Guest House with saving his life. After many years of hard work and recovery, he served on staff at Room In The Inn and served as an inspiration to many, including our founder Charlie Strobel.
"There would never have been a Guest House without Ron," Father Strobel shared at Short Stop's memorial service. "His radical love for the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lost is his legacy to the rest of us."
At one point, it seemed like Ron's journey may have ended in despair. Because of Ron's perseverance and those in his life who refused to give up hope, he made a difference not only in his own life, but in the lives of hundreds of others he encountered. Through his own remarkable journey of recovery and his incredible compassion, he exemplified the spirit of Room In The Inn.
