In 1987, Dad joined the St. Lucie Community Theatre Pineapple Playhouse in Fort Pierce, FL, putting in countless hours as an actor, set designer, set constructor, lighting director, lighting designer, assistant director, producer, and photographer. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors (2018 to Present).

From 1989 through 2001, Dad was photographer for the Treasure Coast Symphony. He served as a member of the Board of Directors in 1996, and as President in 2000 and 2001. In 1990, Dad was a co-founder of the Atlantic Classical Orchestra and served on the Board of Directors during their first season 1991-1992.

In 1995, Dad volunteered to serve in the Florida Save Outdoor Sculpture project. He was assigned the cities of Stuart, Port St. Lucie, and Fort Pierce. It was his job to seek out all the outdoor sculptures, photograph them, take notes on them and their condition, and to try to find out who owned them.

From 1998 to 2000, Dad served on the Industry and Tourism Committees of the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce in Fort Pierce, FL. He worked to bring new industry and more tourists to the county.

Dad served as judge for the Young Floridian Award from 1999 to 2015. This award is given to high school seniors for achievement and service to school and community in 15 different disciplines. He judged the Drama Discipline.

In 2003 and 2004, Dad volunteered at the 4th and 5th Annual Senior Career Days as Port St. Lucie High School, Port St. Lucie, FL. Dad talked to the students about careers in Air Traffic Control, music, and photography.

In 2008, Dad was appointed to the City of Port St. Lucie Public Art Advisory Board, serving until 2016. He served as Vice Chairman from 2011 to 2014. The city requires all commercial builders to install artwork on their property or pay a certain sum not to install art. The Board’s task was to approve/disapprove the proposed art and to determine how the money collected would be used.

Education:

• 6/22/43 – Graduated from Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park, NY. 1948 – Graduated School of Modem Photography, NYC, NY.
• 1954 – Diploma in Merchandising, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY.
• 6/1955 – Associate Degree in Business Management, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY. 8/5/57 to 8/30/57 – FAA Air Traffic Control School, Oklahoma City, OK.
• 1970 – Graduated NJ State Fire School, Trenton, NJ.
• 1971 – Graduated NJ State Fire Police School, Trenton, NJ.

Professional and Employment History:

• 1944 to 1946 – served in the United States Navy in the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres.
• 1946 to 1956 – Worked as professional photographer in New York City, NY. Opened own studio 1948 to 1950. Closed studio in 1951 to work as freelance photographer.
• 1957 to 1959 – Air Traffic Control Specialist at Oneida County Airport, Utica, NY.
• 1959 to 1967 – Air Traffic Control Specialist at NE Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, PA.
• 1967 to 1978 – Air Traffic Control Specialist, Newark International Airport, Newark, NJ.
• 1978 to 1981 – Air Traffic Control Specialist, Charleston AFB/Municipal Airport (joint civil-military airport), Charleston, SC.
• 1979 to 1981 – Taught photography at Baptist College and at The Citadel (famous military college) in Charleston, SC.
• 1982 to 1992 – Taught photography at Indian River Community College campuses in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, and Fort Pierce, FL.
• 1986 to 1991 – Focus: Community, Social, Theatre & Arts Events Magazine. Was photographer and theatre editor. Stuart, FL.
• 1987 to 1988 – Taught photography in Adult Education Program, Martin County High School, Stuart, FL.

Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans:

• 1956 to 1957 – Member of Volunteer Service Photographers, trained hospitalized veterans in photography for hobby or career (rehab program), NYC, NY.
• 1963 – Became life member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Levittown, PA.
• 1963 to 1978 – Put flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day every year while living in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
• 1965 – Became life member of Jewish War Veterans (JWV), Levittown, PA.
• 1966 – Marched with other veterans in Memorial Day Parade, Levittown, PA.
• 1969 (Approximate year) – JWV chaperone for hospitalized veterans from Lyons Veterans’ Hospital, Lyons, NJ at Philadelphia Phillies ball game at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia, PA.
• 1973 to 1974 – JWV Post Commander, Post 715, in Woodbridge, NJ.
• 1975 – Founded JWV Post 444 in East Windsor, NJ.
• 1981 – Organizer and founding member of DAV Post 113 (Port St. Lucie, FL). Was on Board of Directors.
• 1983 – Became life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 4194, Stuart, FL.
• 1983 – Organizer and founding member of JWV Post 705 (Port St. Lucie, FL) and Post 520 (Stuart, FL).
• 1986 to 1987 – JWV Post Commander, Post 705, Port St. Lucie, FL.
• 2006 to 2008 – Spotlight operator for Ruby Lynn Baker’s “Celebration”, a musical production in honor of veterans, Martin County, FL.

Civic Activities and Contributions:

• 1939 to 1943 – High school band and orchestra. Played clarinet, saxophone and oboe.
• 1944 – Member of the Navy Band (Jacksonville, FL) while serving in WWII. Played saxophone.
• 1964 to 1965 – Was a Big Brother to two boys in the Big Brothers of Bucks County, Levittown, PA.
• 1966 – Started in Community Theatre in Levittown, PA.
• 1969 to 1976 – Co-founder and member of the East Windsor Township Volunteer Fire Company, East Windsor, NJ.
• 1975 – Captain, NJ State Fire Police, East Windsor, NJ.
• 1982 to 2005, 2011 – Bam Theatre, Stuart, FL. Returned to produce show in 2011.
• 1983 to 1988 – Photographer for the Treasure Coast Opera Society, Fort Pierce, FL.
• 1987 to Present – St. Lucie Community Theatre Pineapple Playhouse, Fort Pierce, FL. Currently member of the Board of Trustees (2018 to Present).
• 1989 -Taught photography to students at Port St. Lucie High School, Port St Lucie, FL.
• 1989 to 2001 – Photographer for Treasure Coast Symphony, Port St. Lucie, FL. Served on Board of Directors in 1996. Was President in 2000 and 2001.
• 1990 – Organizer and co-founder of the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Fort Pierce, FL. Served on Board of Directors during their first season 1991-1992.
• 1990s – Founding member of the St. Lucie County Cultural Affairs Council, Fort Pierce, FL.
• 1991 – Official Photographer for ArtFest ’91, Stuart, FL.
• 1995 – Florida Save Outdoor Sculpture Project.
• 1996 – Founded the Artistic Regional Theatre in Port St. Lucie, FL.
• 1998 – Exhibited photography at Maple Avenue Pottery & Artworks, Jensen Beach, FL.
• 1998 to 2000 – Served on Industry and Tourism Committees, St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, Fort Pierce, FL.
• 1999 to 2015 – Judge for Young Floridian Award, Drama Discipline, Port St. Lucie, FL. 2003 – 4th Annual Senior Career Day, Port St. Lucie High School, Port St. Lucie, FL.
• 2004 – 5th Annual Senior Career Day, Port St. Lucie High School, Port St. Lucie, FL.
• 2004 and 2010 – Shiloh Theatrical Productions, Stuart, FL. Produced four shows: “Bye, Bye Birdie”, “Gypsy”, “Pippin” – 2004; “Red Hot and Cole” – 2010.
• 2007 – Savannas Preserve State Park, Port St. Lucie, FL. Taught 16 hour photography class.
• 2008 to 2016 – appointed to the City of Port St. Lucie Public Art Advisory Board. Served as Vice Chairman from 2011 to 2014.
• 2012 – St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Academy Class #20. Promotes greater understanding of law enforcement.

Awards and Honors:

• 12/15/42 – Inducted into National Honor Society, Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park, NY.
• 1945 – Air Medal with Two Stars, US Navy, for a series of meritorious acts while participating in aerial flight.
• 1960s – The Chapel of Four Chaplains (Philadelphia, PA) Legion of Honor for recognition of outstanding service to all people regardless of race or faith. (Recognized worldwide.)
• 1974 to 1975 – Outstanding (JWV) Vice Commander of the 3rd District in the Dept, of NJ. (Award)
• 1994 – Bam Theatre, Stuart, FL Legion of Honor. (Lifetime Achievement Award).
• 1995 – Certificate of Appreciation, Florida Save Outdoor Sculpture, for volunteer work in this project from the Florida Arts Council, Division of Cultural Affairs and citizens of Florida by Secretary of State Sandra B. Mortham.
• 1995 – Trophy for Best Technical Director/Non-Musical for “Bus Stop”, St. Lucie Community Theatre Pineapple Playhouse, Fort Pierce, FL.
• 2000 – Award of Gratitude from St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce for working to bring industry and tourists to the county.
• 2003 and 2004 – Certificates of Appreciation for volunteering on the 4th and 5th Annual Senior Career Days, Port St. Lucie High School, Port St. Lucie, FL.
• 2007 – Certificate of Appreciation from Savannas Preserve State Park, Port St. Lucie, FL for teaching photography.
• 2008 – St. Lucie County Cultural Affairs Council 4th Annual “Lucie Award” given to honor and celebrate a lifetime of achievements in the arts and is given to four distinguished citizens of St. Lucie County, FL each year.
• 2015 – Diane Procino Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Lucie Community Theatre Pineapple Playhouse, Fort Pierce, F