Great-Granny Makes Good on Promise

By Eric Robinette
Staff Writer 2:33 AM Saturday, June 6, 2009

Many families attend more than one graduation at this time of year, but the Viel family of Somerville on Friday, June 5, celebrated two graduations that took place 17 years apart.

The first graduation took place in 1992, when Leah Viel’s daughter, Amber, was graduating from Middletown High School. At that time, Leah’s son, Doug, had just had a child, Tyler Viel, who as a baby was attending his very first graduation.

Also at that ceremony was Tyler’s great-grandmother, Frances Cogan. Doug was carrying Tyler, and Cogan said, “When he (Tyler) graduates, I’m going to be there.”

She was 79 at the time. Doug Viel told Cogan then, “If you’re here when this baby graduates, I’ll carry you up the steps.”

Flash forward to June 5, 2009. Cogan attended Tyler’s graduation from Edgewood High School, and Doug Viel intended to make good on his promise.

“At the age of 96, I guess I’m lucky,” Cogan said.

“We’re happy she’s still around,” Doug Viel said.

Cogan remains active in churches and clubs, but doesn’t get around much anymore because she gave her car to Tyler, Leah Viel said.

Tyler was a bit too young to remember that original promise, but he heard about it plenty of times over the years.

“Every time I went over there (to Cogan’s house) she always reminded me of it,” said Tyler, a member of Edgewood’s concert band who plans to attend Anderson University and major in business with an emphasis on music.

With a pair of happy occasions to celebrate, Doug Viel had only one concern, according to Leah Viel.

“Doug’s praying they don’t have too many steps,” she said.