After graduation, I attended three years of college; among them were the University of South Carolina, Hofstra and Community College. In 1961 I enlisted in the Navy, serving for six years. While stationed in Long Beach, CA, I met my future wife, Nancy, on a blind date. We will be celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary on June 18.
During my post-Viet Nam stint I attended flight school in Minden, NV, living in beautiful Carson City. We returned to the San Fernando Valley to continue earning my certifications while sending resumes to the airlines. At the ripe old age of 28 I learned I was too old for the airlines, so I became a flight instructor at two Los Angeles airports. One highlight from this period was teaching Clint Walker's daughter to fly.
After five years Nancy and I realized we missed the mountains and big sky of Northern Nevada, so in 1972 we returned to Carson City. In 1988 we moved to Jacks Valley, a more rural area, outside of Carson City. The Sierras are almost in our backyard!
I retired from the Air National Guard, in Reno, NV, with a total of 25 years service. The Persian Gulf experience was memorable, to say the least. Once home from the Gulf I had open heart surgery....must have been those MRE's! Anyway, we now live a better life in every way.
Although we don't have children, we have spoiled the children in our neighborhood. Our "family" consists of a home filled with pets and outdoor critters which we feed every day.
Over the past years I've enjoyed flying my Piper Tri-pacer and then open-cockpit Bakeng Duce (experimental aircraft). The only flying I do these days is fly-fishing which is my passion.
Presently, I am employed with the State of Nevada, Department of Transportation, as a specifications writer. The first half of my life has been good and I am looking forward to an even better second half.
Sincerely, Chuck Sanicola
Christmas
2002:
Chuck with wife Nancy--married 36 years...
...3 cats, 2 dogs, no kids