Growing up in the East New York section of Brooklyn in the 1940's and 1950's was a combination of developing lifelong friendships and enjoying the simple things life offered during that era. From the games we played to the schools we attended and the girls we dated no one had it better than us. As I look back at myself during that period, it gives me great pleasure to know that through it all we came out with street smarts, stronger and wiser than most.After graduating high school I was totally unprepared for college. I worked full time and went to night school. I finally graduated from Pace College in 1968, 8 years after my high school graduation.I am retired since 2002 as Chief Financial Officer of a private real estate company. My wife and I have been married for 56 years. We have three children and 6 grandchildren.