After graduation in '56 I went to the Academy of Aeronautics for a two years and earned my Aircraft and Powerplant mechanics license. Upon completion of the course I worked at Republic Aviation until their current contract was up and they laid off all of the newly hired workers. Started working for an appliance parts store in Huntington Station and remained there until I was drafted in November of 1961.
Completed basic training in Fort Dix, NJ and was sent to Munich, Germany where I was stationed for 18 months. Tried to transfer to an Army post that had aircraft (they needed mechanics) but was informed that there were other plans for me. I ended up in the division Military Police for the balance of my stay in Munich.
I met my wife Barbara at the Colonial Diner in Huntington. We were married in '65 and have two lovely two daughters who both live in the Huntington area. In 1969 we purchased a home in Centerport where we still live today. My Mother and Father still live in the same house in Huntington.
Performance cars were always important to me and after my military service I started working as the first employee in a small speed shop in Huntington Station. The company expanded into wholesale as well as retail and I stayed there until last August when it was sold.