(From January 2010) I’ve lived in the Chicago area all my life and grew up attending Roman Catholic Schools. Upon graduation from St. Ambrose College, I joined the Marine Corps and served during the Korean Conflict. I was honorably discharged in 1953 and enrolled in a graduate program at Purdue University, achieving a degree in insurance and taxes. I pursued a career in the life insurance field, specializing in estate and corporate planning and established my own corporation called Joint Efforts, Inc. I am now retired.

I met my wife, Beverly, while we were involved in fundraising events at St. Alexander in Palos Heights. That friendship resulted in our marriage at Transfiguration where we continued to shape events around entertainment and fundraising. We have been members for about 35 years.

I have previously served on the vestry. When I assumed the role of Senior Warden, the Montessori School, which rented space, moved and caused the loss of needed income. We prayed for inspiration and it led to the thought of creating a day care center. When this appeared to have potential, Dr. Margaret Lehner and I agreed to put a team a together. The rest is history: The Episcopal Day Care and Learning Center.

What I would now like to see happen at our church is not only “forgiving hearts” but the rise of laughter. Laughter is healthy and biblical astuteness has taught us that “a cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17.22). Humor also makes for great relationships. I have experienced that shared laughter increases ones’ comfort level. We need this in our church family at this precise time. Jesus said: “Blessed are you who weep now for you will laugh!” (Luke 6:21). The promise of heaven is the promise of everlasting joy and laughter. The weeping is over let us lighten up!