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MEMORIAL HS |
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Class
of 1961 Alumni Page |
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I think it's time to
tell you what I've been doing for the last 45 years so here goes.
When we last saw each other in 1961, I was working at a delicatessen until I
went into the Army in 1966. The Army was kind enough to send me to a number of
schools and then directly over to Viet Nam. I was there from 1966 - 1969. A lot
has happened since then…
Shortly after my homecoming (1969) I was able to secure a job with Grumman Corp.
and worked my way up in the company from an input/output analyst (mail clerk) to
a Computer Systems analyst. I worked at the company for 26 years and then
retired in 1994.
During that time I attended years of IBM computer classes for the company and
worked on the LEM, design of the Space shuttle and the design and upgrade of the
F-14.
I always liked flying from the time I was a kid back in Levittown and did some
flying in the war soooo, I decided to go into pilot training in 1970. I have
logged a lot of flight time in the last 34 years. I was in the process of
getting my commercial pilot license when I retired and ran out of money just 20
hours short ($30,000.00) of completing my goal. Now I'm too old to finish.
During that time I also picked up a Glider (air plane with no engine) rating and
had a lot fun doing that sport too.
After my retirement I did a few things around the house, went flying, skiing and
camping but everyone was at work and there was no one to play with. So, I went
to work for a computer consulting company in New York City for 4 years and
traveled around New England until after Y2K when I was RIFED. (reduction in
force)
Out of work again for a year, I got a job working for the Mayor's office at City
of New York and have been here for just about 6 years.
I was married for 30 years when my ex-wife decided that she wasn't happy and
wanted a divorce. She is a hi-powered vice president of the Bank of New York and
didn't know when to stop partying. I have one adopted daughter that is the apple
of my eye and lives with me. She is now in her 3rd year of college with a major
in business. I currently live in St. James ( North shore next to Smithtown). I
do the commute everyday to the city (4 hrs round trip on the L.I.R.R.) and I
only have one more year to go until I can collect another pension.
While I was in the middle of my friendly divorce about 2 plus years I was
diagnosed with cancer. The flavor is called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is not an
aggressive form of cancer. The Doctors think it was the result of being exposed
to agent orange in Viet Nam. After getting the news I started chemo that lasted
about 6 months. The treatment just about cleaned up the cancer but it came back
about 2 years ago. The Doctor's were watching my progress closely since then and
it spread into my right leg. About 2 years ago my Doctor said there was another
treatment out there, so I had nothing to lose. Well, I started this special
treatment (not experimental) and within 3 weeks it started working. I went to
the doctor about a year ago after having a number of scans and a bone marrow
test and the doctor said that he can't find any cancer in me anywhere. GOOD
STUFF !! 2 treatments $42,000.00 a pop.
When I got the bad new about my cancer I decided that I was going out in style
and I always wanted an old collectable car so I went out and got one. Now that
I'm cancer free I take the car to local shows and have fun with it. My out look
on life has changed and I live each day as it comes.
Well, that's my life (so far) in a nutshell. What have the rest of you been up
to for the last forty five years?
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 Hi Marcy, Attached please find some pictures of my plane and the other stuff I've been flying. I know you asked for the pics a while ago for my alumni page and I'm sorry for the delay. Enjoy !! Stu Smith |
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Hi Marcy !! Here is a picture of my Daughter and I (right) and as you requested.. Sorry, better late then never.. I will send the picture of me and my plane later.. My Daughter's name is Jessica and the pic was taken 2 weeks ago when I returned from my 12 mile daily bike ride..That's why I'm dressed in the funny stretch shorts.... Stu Smith |
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