- April 17, 2024
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Shawn Pruner wears many hats. Baseball coach, PTA volunteer, boat captain, four-wheeler guide and designated couch snuggler. All just a few of the many official duties he has a father of three boys.
"There's so many things that make Shawn a great dad," said his wife, Billie McDonald, secretly typed to The Observer as she was in a meeting with her husband. "Shawn goes out his way to make sure all three of our boys know that no matter what, you never give up. Always keep trying. If one thing doesn't work try another."
Though running Atlantic Insurance Solutions with McDonald is a full-time job and then some, McDonald said he always makes time to maintain a close relationship with his family.
"The amount of love he has for our boys is humbling," she said. "Most dads never get a chance to have the relationship Shawn has with his boys because they work so much, but Shawn goes out of his way to always make them a priority."
When it comes to the things McDonald says Pruner wants to instill in his children, hard work, determination, and a sense of community are at the top of his list. He involves his children in his business and volunteer work wherever he can.
'My trusty sidekick'
Ormond Beach resident Madeline Carduner wrote the following about her dad, Steve Carduner:
"He is my trusty sidekick, my confidant, my hero. He is more than I could ever ask for, and sometimes I question myself as to how I got so lucky to have him in my life. He has taught me to love unconditionally. He has given up so much for me in times where I haven’t deserved it. If I need him, he shows up at my door within minutes. I have truly never met anyone so selfless, so kind, so giving, and so handsome. My dad has given me the greatest gift someone could ever give another person: he believes in me. I cannot explain how many mistakes I’ve made and how many times I’ve fallen. He has always been there to pick me up, dust off my shoulders, and push me forward. There are no words to express my gratitude. Dad, I hope one day I can find a man who will treat me half as wonderful as you have. Always remember, I may find my prince, but you will always be my king. I love you."
What's the best advice your father ever gave you?
"Brush your teeth & get good grades. Sounds silly and simple minded but it taught me to make sure I take care of myself in more ways than one," said Dawn Dragone.
"As long as the boys are trying their hardest, he will ways be proud of the them and support them in what ever they choose to do," she said. "The bond between him and his boys is something everyone recognizes instantly. He's the most hardworking determined Dad I know."
"Perhaps the only good advice my father gave me is that to end up with a small fortune, start out with a large fortune. Unfortunately, he neglected to mention how to get the large fortune. It certainly wasn't via inheritance," said Gene Perez.
"Love your neighbor as yourself," said Rich Tidwell.
"It's not the advice he gave me, it's what he taught me. My dad taught me how to work on cars, houses, how to work hard, how to treat your wife, how to love your family and friends. Now that I have a son (my son and my dad share the same birthday), I hope I can raise him and instill the same qualities the way my dad did with me," said Josh McPherson.
"'Girls are crazy,' coming from a man who had four girls before he had me. He loves my mother and all of my sisters and taught me how to keep my sanity surrounded by females and work hard to keep them happy," said Rick Faust.
"A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from others' mistakes," said Brandi Raquel Tidwell.
"You never know when the governor might show up to dinner. Meaning, always be on your A-game. Keep your house clean. You don't know who might stop by, and put yourself together each day. You don't know who you might run into. Also, be an eagle among turkeys," Kahlin Grant.
"Be genuinely generous with your gifts and talents, and when you think you have no fight left in, you rise up and conquer," said Patti Sariñana.
"Always do what's right, integrity is everything. Love the way you want to be loved. Time is the most valuable thing we have, be selective to who you give it to," said Billie MacDonald.
