My Thoughts

My father worked in the Rubina Coalmines, near Brownsville, PA, which I personally dont recall. At that time, they used mules to remove coal and the one he worked with was named Daisy. It is interesting, the odd things that you can remember.

We moved to Elyria, OH around my 4th birthday. My family remained there until my graduation from Elyria High School in 1967. I was the second oldest of 6 children, this led to an uneventful childhood. At school, I spent little time on academics, and primarily focused on sports. I continued this lifestyle as I became an Eagle Scout, and because of my love for nature, I was accepted at Bowling Green University to study as a forest ranger, with a scholarship. Throughout the summer I worked as an orderly and transitioned my focus to enrolling in nursing school that fall. I was the first male nurse admitted to the M.B. Johnson School of Nursing.

After graduation in 1970, and taking a year to expand my nursing experience, I packed my bags and headed to Cleveland. There, I started my career in the open-heart unit of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. For a needed diversion, for the next 8 months I worked providing care to the Native Americans in Newfoundland Canada. After many pick-up games, I unfortunately discovered that I cannot play hockey.

That being said, I was still an avid naturist, and bicyclist, I was fortunate to bike the Allegheny Passage Trail that runs from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh, PA. I also discovered an interested in the rain forest that ran along the border of Mexico and Guatemala. I repeatedly visits to the Mayan Indian Tribes, and I was present in that area during the Mayan uprising.

After returning to Cleveland, several years were spent in a variety of hospitals, I divided my time between critical care, nursing administration, and furthering my education obtaining my B.S. in Business. I then obtained an M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University, and finally a B.S. in Nursing from Ursuline College.

Following this I arrived upon the opportunity to work as Vice President of the VNA - Clevland. This greatly expanded my knowledge regarding community care, and in-home care. The opportunity that closely followed this was assignment with Cedar Village in Cincinnati, OH. The position was to initiate hospice and homecare in an extended care facility, and subsequently a joint venture between several facilities.

During my experience at Cedar Village, I had the opportunity to consult at the northernmost long term care facility located in the artic circle. I traveled to Alaska on five trips and assisted in caring for the village elders. Having returned from Alaska on the fifth time, my heart yearned to be back in Cleveland.

Currently, I am employed by the Saint Francis Foundation. The Foundation was established by Frank Alechie, who wrote "It's never to late!" and worked with a dedicated team to build Villa Serena after the age of 65!

Thus far, my greatest achievement has, and always will be, the opportunity to have married Patricia. She is an outstanding individual, who has been since day one, a beacon and guidance in my life. We have been blessed with 4 children and been together for 35 years.