Page 5 - The Wayne Dispatch

Small town boy to international traveler

By Carolyn Marnon think you can write?”
“We’re gonna read books out loud Back in those days, papers were
as a family,” said Phil Cousineau’s cut and pasted together. As a high
dad after kicking their Philco TV school junior, Phil says he would call
down the stairs one day long ago. all the coaches for their scores and
Phil was growing up on Eastlawn in noted who their best players were.
Wayne where he eventually went on He’d have to write it up because he
to graduate from St. Mary’s. was taught there was “no story with-
Phil’s dad worked in public rela- out the notes” and as his mentor
tions at Ford Motor Company’s Roger would say “Cousineau, it ain’t
“Glass House” in Dearborn. Every- real till it’s ink.” That’s when Phil
where the Cousineau’s went became knew he wanted to write for the rest
a history listen. “Did you know…?” of his life.
Now living in San Francisco, Phil While studying journalism at the
is a prolific author with 19 books University of Detroit, Phil worked in
listed on his website philcous- a steel factory. Authors like Bill
ineau.com, many of which can be Bonds, Joyce Carol Oates and El-
found at the Wayne library. He re- more Leonard would come speak in
cently made an appearance at the his classes, inspiring him further to
Wayne Public Library to talk about pursue a career in writing and the
his work and career at “Words, Wan- arts.
derlust and Wayne.” After earning his degree (he
While guests were arriving at the Phil Cousineau is host of his own show on PBS called Global Spirit. His most recent thinks he is the first Cousineau to
library event, it was like a class re- get one), Phil went off to Europe for
union unfolding. Many of the atten- guest was Carlos Santana. three months to “see the world.” He
dees were classmates who came to English teachers appeared to see vorite students. One of the class found the art and literature in Eu-
reminisce with Phil. One of Phil’s what must have been one of her fa- members shouted, “Cousineau, have rope fascinating and despite having
you found yourself?” Phil replied, “I a job as a cub reporter at the Detroit
haven’t found myself, but I’m still Free Press lined up and waiting for
looking.” him upon his return, he decided to
Growing up, Phil loved sports. He keep travelling. Europe had music,
says most jocks don’t read, but he street cafes, art and much more that
would play ball and frequent the li- celebrated beauty. He says at the
brary. While in high school at St. time, Detroit was considered the
Mary’s, Phil covered sports for the murder capital of the world. He
yearbook. Roger Turner, editor of the didn’t have much interest in that.
former Wayne Dispatch, was looking “I’m never bored because I’m in-
for a sports reporter who could terested in everything,” exclaimed
cover the local area. The principal Phil. For the next seven years, Phil
asked the 17-year-old Phil if he was did construction work in California
interested. At the interview, Roger, while reading a book a day. Opportu-
wearing a fedora with a cigar in his nity came along for Phil to help write
mouth blowing smoke and lounging “The Hero’s Journey: The World of
back in his chair with his feet up on
his desk asked Phil “So kid. Do you See Traveler, page 7

The Wayne Dispatch · January 2020 · 5