Occupation: I retired in 2007, after 44 years, as a coding engineer with Perkin Elmer in Wilton. I was involved with the team when they first came out with how to print IC chips using projected printing methods.
Occupation: I retired in 2007, after 44 years, as a coding engineer with Perkin Elmer in Wilton. I was involved with the team when they first came out with how to print IC chips using projected printing methods.
Family: My wife, Sandra, was a commissioner of wetlands here in Newtown a few years back. My son, Marc, and daughter, Liana, still live in Connecticut and we get to see them often. We get to see our two grandchildren, Nancy, who is 12, and Alex, who is 10, frequently because they live here in Newtown. Alex actually joins us for breakfast every morning before school. I never got to spend so much time with my own kids as I do with my grandchildren.
Pets: We have three cats, Night, Sam, and Sollie. Theyâre in and out cats â when theyâre in the house they want to sleep with us, and they love the grandkids. Night actually goes down to the bus stop each day with my grandson.
How long have you lived in Newtown? We have been here since 1966. I coached for softball, Little League, Pop Warner, all those things.
What do you like to do in your free time? I like to take care of my property, and I like to work with wood. I helped my son build the catapult used to chuck pumpkins at Newtown Middle School, where he works, this fall. We built it in my driveway. Iâve built garages, sheds, swing sets, cabinets, and some smaller projects. I build pretty much whatever I feel like making. And I read every morning.
What are you reading now? Iâm reading a science fiction series that I like. And I enjoy reading the newspaper, of course.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? Disney World in Florida. Weâve gone twice so far, and weâre going again in April with the whole family. What I like is the fact that the family is there and weâre all together. I enjoy the looks on the kidsâ faces. I love the feeling that you get when your are with the kids; the park itself is almost irrelevant.
What is the best thing about Newtown? The feeling of âhome.â My kids grew up here; my grandkids are growing up here. I like that feeling of belonging to a place. I enjoy our neighbors, and the activities in town. It has been an enjoyment these years to see what has happened in town.
What is the biggest change you have seen in Newtown? The traffic. When we first moved here there was a sign on Route 25 warning that we were approaching a congested area, and then up ahead, there was a dog just laying in the road next to the flagpole, not at all worried about traffic. Now, you can barely cross the road.
Do you have a personal philosophy? Enjoy your life. Donât do things that would take away from your family.
What is the most important lesson you have ever learned? Let people make their own decisions, but protect them if it is harmful to themselves or others.