by Allisence Y. Chang

A long time resident of the city and taxi driver was named The Somerville News Father of the Year after his nomination by a recent fare met him on a ride to Logan Airport.

Pozzi Escot, a composer and professor at New England Conservatory, certainly saw exceptional qualities in Muller Balan when she recommended him for this year’s The Somerville News’ Father’s Day Father of the Year.

"After our four children were all grown up, my wife and I decided to become foster parents and adopt four more children into the family, giving them an opportunity to go to college and to make something of themselves," said Balan, father of eight children and taxi driver for Cambridge Yellow Cab Co.

The family has been living on the same road, in the same house ever since they moved here, he said. "Children are like trees, they need one place to grow up, live, and return. For my family, Somerville has been that place."

Balan and his family immigrated to the United States from Haiti and settled in the city in 1984. He has worked as a taxi driver in order to support his large family ever since their arrival.

Each morning, Balan waits at the Sheraton Commander Hotel near Harvard Square with other Haitian drivers from his company. Ambassador Brattle Cab drivers have also declared the hotel home base, he said.

"He’s a great taxi driver. He’s been driving for a long time, longer than any of the rest of us and he’s the only one that lives around this area," said Joseph L. Gachette, fellow taxi driver and friend.

The four younger adopted children have now been with the Balan family for 13 years, he said. "They just needed someone to love and care for them.”

All of Balan’s children are still in high school, have attended universities, other institutions with definite commitments to their selected careers like pharmacy, or joined the armed forces.

Extremely humble when talking about any and all accomplishments, Balan said he and his wife have raised all eight children on a single principle. "We let them know that they are champions in life."

Children should be taught to be leaders, not followers, he said. "This is the only way they will be leaders in life; being a follower will lead them nowhere."

But children will follow what their parents do so no matter what you do in life, it’s important to practice what you preach, he said. "Always stand behind what you believe."

"My goal is to offer all my children a chance to be more than just a taxi driver like I am," said Balan.

With his oldest now 33, Balan has accomplished much more than he gives himself credit.

"As a father, I just remind all parents to remember that even though there are hardships along the way, children are people too and as long as you treat and respect them as such, they will grow up that way, respecting others around them."