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In March 2010 Tom writes: Colleges: Started at Cornell University – played
freshman football; pledged Psi Upsilon
Was unable to muster the grades to declare major in English – left
Cornell at end of sophomore year – (Came to regret not using the academic
Counselors available – could have transferred into the Business School);
worked fall semester shooting school photographs for the J.N. Rasbach Photo
Service out of Shelton, CT –developing a real desire to get back into
college – anywhere!
Transferred almost all of my credits into probationary junior year at
Nathaniel Hawthorne College in Antrim, NH, and began to tear up the pea
patch carrying 20 credits a semester with a 3.80 – quite a change! Met my
wife at Nathaniel Hawthorne, and married her in December, 1965 after I had
transferred to University of New Hampshire, Whittemore School of Business;
worked in the CPM/Pert project of Ship/Alts at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
― and graduated in 1966 Magna Cum Laude. Graduated
with Juris Doctorate from St. Johns University, School of Law in 1969.
Gail Patrick Lieb was the love of my life for more than 40 years before she
died of kidney failure in 2005. We had three children; Thomas IV, Whitney (Siconolfi)
and Jamie (Huntington), who have all had successful lives. I have been
blessed with 4 grandchildren: Thomas and Emma Wriggins, and Tyler and
Abigail Siconolfi. Like most families, we are spread out geographically all
over the Eastern corridor, although I now live in Nobleboro, Maine with Tom
and my daughter-in-law Alana, and grandchildren Thomas and Emma.
After Law School, I was an associate with Emmet & Marvin & Martin in NY, and
then began with the United States Trust Company in the Trust Administration
Division, Tax Division and finally the Estate Division, achieving officer
level after 18 months.
After 6 years, I took a job as Head of the Trust Division, United Bank of
Illinois in Rockford, IL as AVP, then VP. Worked there for 10 years, and
then was recruited by Mellon Bank, NA in Pittsburgh, PA to join their Tax
Division, and later their Estate Administration Division.
Economic shrinkage had me on the streets in Pittsburgh for nearly 8
months until I found a position heading up a small Trust Department for
Citizens National Bank in Norwalk, OH. The 4-hour commute was a bitch, so I
basically got to see my family on weekends in Pittsburgh. Eventually found a
spot in Estate and Financial Planning in the firm of James Lange &
Associates in Pittsburgh, where I worked until Gail died, and I was
diagnosed with kidney failure also. In May 2006 I had a bi-lateral kidney
transplant (two kidneys at the same time) and was under the thumb of UPMC
Transplantation Institute for nearly a year until they finally allowed me to
move to Maine with Tom and Alana in 2007.
Basically retired, I have continued my practice of personal income tax
preparation, and have maintained my FFL Gun Dealer License running a small
operation known as Red Barn Firearms. In the summer, I volunteer my services
running the steam-engine train 3 times a week for The Boothbay Village
Railway Museum, as I have been licensed as a Boiler Operator/High Pressure
by the State of Maine. I recently purchased a boat (18’ Boston Whaler –
Outrage), which I am attempting to enjoy, but the past two years have not
produced the most conducive weather during the summer months. I have also
learned the true meaning of BOAT [Bring Out Another Thousand], but still
find it worthwhile to explore the rugged mid-coast of Maine.
I am looking forward to the 50th reunion, and a little reticent at the
same time. The thought of renewing old ties is a little overwhelming,
probably since this is the first reunion I have attended. I am definitely
interested in how PC has changed, not only in its physical plant and campus,
but in its philosophy and academics. In 1960, PC was not co-ed. Our only
distractions from our studies were in our heads, and our daily trips to AFS,
GFS, Springside, and Mt. Airy.
See you guys soon! |
