About Me

One of eight children (five girls and three boys), I grew up on Long Island where I spent most of my life. I joined the Navy in 1957 right after high school. After the Navy I 'bummed' around for a year or two and then started college in 1963. I finally graduated from Adelphi University -- although I didn't get through in record breaking time. My major was economics with minors in history and psychology. I did post-graduate work at Rutgers and banking became my career. I spent a quarter of a century at Fleet Bank and before multiple sclerosis forced me to leave, I was a Senior Vice President and Department Head of an Asset Based Lending area.

In the course of my job, particularly over the last ten years or so, I met many interesting people in private and public sectors. I served in a number of organizations both professional and philanthropic and was involved in raising funds for the Boy Scouts, the homeless, the mentally challenged, the Epilepsy Foundation, cancer research, etc. I was a Director of the Mental Health Association and on the board of the Long Island Philharmonic Orchestra.

Had my parents been alive to see all this (they died in 1973 and '74) they would have been pleasantly surprised that their son who had such a slow start in life, a dreamer, ended up with such a fruitful life. But looking back I know I did it the right way for me. When I look at the kids today, racing to finish school and rushing into jobs they may or may not want, I ask "what's the hurry?" Slow down, the journey is more important than the destination. I think that we (society) put too much pressure on our children to be 'successful' on our terms and don't allow them the time to pursue their dreams.

Speaking of kids, I have two wonderful ones; Karen, a Hofstra University graduate who is making a difference working with developmentally challenged adults and John III who is presently learning the tile wholesale distributing business. And then there is their mother and my wife, Deborah. She's a saint! We're so lucky to have her. Patient (except when she's waiting to get on the computer), tolerant, loving and a 'natural' parent. She's my best friend and over the years we've grown and matured our relationship into something that transcends that of a simple marriage. We actually spend a lot of time just talking and laughing with each other. With a family like this, I'm a lucky person--dreams do come true!

I almost forgot to mention my side-kick, my shadow, Courtney. The dog my wife thought would keep me company after I stopped working. Well, we adopted her in 1992 and she hasn't left my side since! She has her own web page of course, Courtney's Corner, and certainly has enriched our lives since her arrival. She not only enjoys the journey, she sniffs every blade of grass, bush and leaf along the way!