After graduating from Buffalo State College in 1970, I began a career working with people with disabilities. I taught in the Batavia area for several years and then moved to Buffalo, where I worked at a vocational rehabilitation facility. In the early 1980s, I decided I did not enjoy being an administrator so I went back to teaching. From 1983 until I retired in 2004, I worked for Erie #2 BOCES in East Aurora. I ran a job placement program, then attempted to teach high school-aged students with emotional problems (they were sort of like the kids on "Welcome Back Kotter" on a lot of illegal drugs) and for the last 6 years of teaching, worked with young adults with severe developmental disabilities. In addition to teaching, I had the opportunity to coach the East Aurora, and later the Buffalo City Honors, track teams. As I recall, my prophecy was that I would become head track and field coach at St. Rita's Home. Although not exactly on the money, I guess I did attain the prophesy to some degree.

Lois and I were married in 1971 and amazingly, she has tolerated me all these years. We have 2 children. Steve is a graduate of the University of Florida. While at UF he was on the track team, competing in the decathlon. Soon after graduation, he became a member of the United States Men's Bobsled team. In addition to traveling all over North America and Europe on the World Cup Circuit, he was a member of the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympic teams. At this Time, he is contemplating continuing in the sport or going to graduate school in Calgary where he lives. Our daughter Leigh graduated from Penn, currently teaches elementary school in Brooklyn, and will be starting a Ph.D. program at Northwestern University in September.

My interests and hobbies are varied. For the past 5 years Lois and I were bobsled "groupies." We went to a number of the events on the World Cup tour and introduced a lot of people to the tradition of tailgating. A thrill of a lifetime was getting to ride a sled at the track in Calgary. I very much enjoy canoeing and kayaking. Every year since 1971, I have gone on at least one wilderness trip either in Algonquin or some other canoe area. This winter some friends and I built a 27' wooden strip/ fiberglass, 8 passenger war canoe. We will be entering the Great Adirondack Canoe Classic in September. The Classic is a 3 day, 90 mile race. I am developing woodworking skills and build furniture and cabinets. I read quite a bit and enjoy living in Buffalo. Although the city gets a lot of bad press, it is a nice city that offers a lot of things to do. Gardening and photography are also interests.

As I will not be getting home from a canoe trip until the evening of July 1, I will not be attending the reunion. I hope everyone attending has a good time.