Occupation: I retired in June after serving for 40-plus years as an educator and most recently as the Deputy Superintendent in Danbury. Concurrently, I taught at Yale University, Western Connecticut State University, and Columbia University, where I earned my doctorate. I also worked as a studio musician in New York City and as a martial arts teacher, including serving as a black belt self-defense instructor for the Connecticut State Police.

Family: My beautiful and very talented wife, Diane, is a singer/songwriter. Our son, Bill, is a physicist with the intelligence community. He is married to Jackie, and they have our only grandchild, Dana. Our other son, Devin, is a film composer, and he is married to Brenna. We are blessed that they are all terrific human beings.

How long have you lived in Newtown? Thirty-five wonderful years.

What do you like to do in your free time? I’m a landscape painter and an outdoor nature photographer, and I periodically exhibit my work. I do volunteer photography for the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and the Governor’s Horse Guard. I’m a guitarist, and I love to jam with friends. I’m an avid Japanese gardener, and I also shoot target archery. I have served on boards of community agencies including Regional Hospice, the Association of Religious Communities, the United Way, and others. And since I only have 20 percent hearing capacity, I’m in the process of learning American Sign Language, which is fun.

Do you have a favorite book? My favorite book is usually the one that I’m currently reading. Right now, it’s the biography of Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson, and it’s captivating.

What is your favorite travel destination? Italy is amazingly beautiful. Also, anywhere with a wonderful beach.

What is the best part about Newtown? Just about everything. The people are kind, caring, and giving. Our town still maintains its New England charm. We have an exceptional number of wonderful restaurants, a great school system, a vast array of community services, and the scenery is beautiful.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My wife, Diane, is the bravest person I know, and I learn from her every single day. We are both cancer survivors, and cancer has a way of influencing every aspect of a person’s life.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I never knew any of my grandparents, so I would love to meet and spend a day with at least one of them.

What is your favorite food? I’m learning to cook, and I enjoy making Asian, Mexican, and Indian dishes — the hotter and more challenging the better!

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? I live with the saying “you get back what you give out,” aka Karma. I try to demonstrate kindness, compassion, humility, and respect to everyone.

What is something you cannot live without? Change. I embrace change with a vengeance. I wake up every morning excited at what new adventure the day may bring.

What are your proudest accomplishments? A few come to mind. We are very proud of the kind of adults our children have grown to become. Secondly, that I have not let cancer define me nor limit me. Career wise, it would be the honor of having been named the Connecticut Educational Leader of the Year and for being recognized by the United Nations for my work “Promoting Peace Through Education.”