How long have you been in Newtown? We moved here about nine years ago, from Dallas, Texas, after I retired from Penney’s. Newtown was centrally located for us to our families, and we had family living here in town.

What do you like to do in your free time? When my children were growing up, I coached youth sports, and now I enjoy time with my children and grandchildren. We vacation together and I go to the Grandparents’ Day at our kids’ schools, and to their games and performances. I join my sons and sons-in-law for an annual golf outing, and I enjoy working on business problems related to family businesses. I’m president of the Newtown Housing for the Elderly and on the board of trustees for the Newtown Ambulance Association. I’m active in the St Joseph Project and the Social Concerns Committee at St Rose, and teach religious classes.

Do you have a favorite book? The most recent that I read was The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. It made me want to go back and read Hamlet again, after I heard a review that pointed out it was the retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Mostly, though, I read nonfiction, and The New York Times — and The Newtown Bee, of course!

Do you have a favorite travel destination? Right now, it’s grandchildren’s graduations, and we had invitations to six of those this year. But I’ve always favored the area where I grew up, the Newport News, Va., area, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the past few years, we’ve been to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Panama, Costa Rica, and New Zealand. I recommend them all!

Who do you most admire? I think about the teachers I’ve had who had great influence on me. I learned a lot of lessons from them, all the way through school.

Do you have a personal philosophy? My parents, my religion, my many teachers in school and business, as well as my personal experiences have led me to realize I am a very fortunate person, and I have a responsibility to find ways in which I can be helpful to others.

What makes you happiest? Being busy, and enjoying time with my family.