| Notes |
In about 1983 Irene decided she wanted to get a 2nd 4 year degree. She chose Wells College in Aurora. She graduated with all kind of honors. After graduation she threw a big party at Springside for herself. Never did know what it cost. She had all kinds of people there who she introduced. She started with Dan Schultz, Jules and a lot of professors etc. At the end of all this she mentioned Betsy and me..I really felt badly for Bets. The only good thing was that we got the biggest applause of the evening. I found out later that hero Dan was teaching at Wells as well as ACC, which then explained why Irene happened to choose Wells for that second 4 year degree. He represented her wish to be involved with professional educated people. I really think that she thought he was going to leave his wife and sweep her right up. I'm not sure if there was ever a physical relationship but I have always felt she was truly in love with the guy and that hurt worse than a physical side. In the picture albums there's pictures of Dan in Irene's bedroom. Up until this point in time I had never cheated on Irene and in fact had never been with another woman. In all the time especially while in business there was plenty of opportunities.
About 1991 Irene decided to buy a franchise to open a Mail Box Etc and have Betsy run it. She spent a ton of money( In excess of $300,000) and I was told it was none of my business what her costs were or anything else about it. Of course she needed help from TLS employees the whole time it was open but that was all right. Bets ran it for quite awhile and it never made any money. After awhile Bets quit and that was really a big deal. Then Irene went to work but it still made no money. I think she closed it up in 2001 and had about a 300,000 loss as far as taxes were concerned. She was able to take I think a hundred thou off our taxes the first year and that was it and that was if we were still married. She opened this at Cindy Scott's advice. I think if she had held on awhile longer till when UPS bought out MBE she might have made out a lot better. We'll never know. She also started a consulting business and that didn't amount to anything. TLS flourished so I think I must have been doing something right.
After a year or so of the above (the 2nd para up) I got to talking to a female customer and after a year or two we got really involved and started an affair. Her marriage was non-functional as was mine and things just progressed and we supported each other. This escapade lasted about ten years. Her husband, a lawyer, dropped dead from a heart attack and she thought we should move the relationship along. We both have strong religious feelings and that was the end.
I had written something I shouldn't have and Irene snooped in my diary and surmised what had happened. I admitted to the affair and that was the end. She wanted me out so we got a legal separation and I moved to Center St. Rd., Auburn,NY. Her lawyer did all the work of the separation as she was the one that wanted it. My lawyer didn't want to settle but I just wanted out. Irene took half of my retirement pay as she had since we parted. Frank Harrigan, when we in the conference room with other people present, said plain and simple that I was getting fucked. I left most of the china, crystal and a lot of other things there. They will all go to the girls anyway and I don't want to clean the stuff. The first year wasn't bad. We had closed the plumbing and heating business and sold the incinerator business to Al Klimek. We carried the paper.
After moving out and after a time I got involved with Ruth. Irene hassling me all the time I decided I need some counseling and so I had a number of sessions with a man in SYR and I'd like to think that they helped.
In the course of our bickering over who's fault it was that the marriage had failed, Irene informed me that she had outgrown me and the only time she has been proud of me was when I had been an air traffic controller. That hurt about as much as anything. I honestly thought the business had done pretty well, we had a nice home, nice cars and really didn't want for much.
Over the next few years, I had a number of health issues. Starting with Prostate Cancer, in 1986, that ended successfully after 7 weeks of wide-band radiation, the same year Matt Foote was born. About 1989, I also had another hernia on the left side. Stu Forster fixed me up with Tom Hartenstien a real nice young man and I felt a competent surgeon. Got that taken care of and this one was only day surgery and some different than the first operation. From that time till about 2004 I've had another five hernias which were the umbilical type. He finally filled me up with mesh and to this day I wear abdominal support band so I won't break out again.
In the fall of 1995, I had a heart problem necessitating angioplasty by Dr. Alex G. and installing two stents, which up to this point have not given any problem (6/20044). I had it done at St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse. In the little black loose leaf note book there is a complete diary of my medical history.
In Oct 1996 the girls really surprised me. I was turning 65 and they gave me a surprise birthday party at Lasca's in Auburn. The deal was for Lorinda and Jim to pick me up and we were to meet Betsy et al at the Lasca's restaurant for dinner. I got ready in a suit etc and sat in my chair. The next thing I knew Jim was knocking on the window to wake me up. Over to Lasca's and the Footes were waiting in the bar. I had talked to Julie and they couldn't come as she had to be in France. The hostess said our table was ready and she took us into the back room which was all set up for a bigger party. I bitched to Bets that we had to put up with a big party. Of course when we walked in the room, it was full of my friends as well as Julie and family. It was a complete surprise. Of course every one had geriatric gifts for me. It was just a wonderful evening. The grand children sat on either side of me and that really pleased me. I think this party was one if not the nicest thing that ever happened to me. I have two wonderful daughters.
In fall of 1997 during a routine exam, Dr. Stu Forster, found malignant bladder tumors. I was hospitalized and he burned them out. In 3 months they were back, so he burned them again in his office. Cause determined to be sweating copper and former smoking. I finally had a treatment where they catheterize you, drain the bladder and then inject a real bad solution into the bladder which you have to hold for two hours and the pass. Before one flushes the john you have to put a cup of bleach in the water. It's real tough solution.
In the Fall of 1997 I met Ruth Brown, a grade school music teacher in Auburn, who lived in Jordan in the old Huey house. She was replacing her heating system and was looking for radiators. We hit it off right away. The relationship progressed as I had fun keeping track of her new hot water heating installation with all it's twist and turns. She also had a house and two cottages on Cayuga lake which required constant attention and provided a good getaway. I helped her out there as well.
About that time, Irene realized that I was getting involved with someone, and she really got to be a pain in the ass. She pulled one shenanigan after another to disrupt my life and regain control of me. One night I came home and found her asleep in my bed. I sneaked out and slept in the truck in the village parking lot. I always felt she would be nasty to anyone I got involved with. She doesn't want me but no one else can have me either.
In January of 2000 I went to FL. and stayed at Dick and Marlene Foote's house. They were in Col. One day I was cruising around the area and happened on Mid FL Lakes. Out front there was a sign: New and Used models For SALE. I stopped and talked to the people and said I might be interested if I can get it for a steal. They showed me several units and I put a purchase offer on two. One was rejected, one was accepted and so I landed at 104 Spruce Lane in Leesburg. The park was named Mid-Florida Lakes but beginning in 2004 they change the name to a yatch club. The only yatchs are pontoon boats.
Returned home, collected Ruth, and down we went to FL for 6 weeks. We had a great time getting our hideaway in shape. The joke was on us though, because in this very same park, unbeknownst to me, were 4 other families from Jordan/Elbr. area. Two were from Christ Epis. Church, where I had grown up, the James Johnsons and the William Meixners. Also Art And Caroline Smith although Art had died just before I bought. At 2005, Caroline in the only one left.
In 2004, Ray Johnson called to see if I wanted to sell the pool table and I said yes but I'd get back to him. I mentioned it to Bets and she said she wanted it so I told Ray, no. I told Irene that Bets wanted the table and in her usual way she said she didn't know if she wanted to let it go. We had a few words about it and Bets got the table. The name on the bottom of the slates always intrigued me so this year June 2005 I spent some time at the Seymour Library in Auburn researching the name. I didn't find out too much about it but, I did find a copy of his obituary. He died in 1910 so the table is at least 100years old. I'm going into Syracuse to find out about the company that made it next.
Up to this point I've been able to spend 5 months a year in Leesburg thanks to the animal disposal business that Chuck Stevens maintains for me while I'm away.. We kept the animal disposal business after ending the other parts of the business. It has been quite lucrative and I hate to give it up, even though I'm in my 73rd year. The perks of being in business are numerous.
Church has been a big part of my life. Every town we lived in we got involved. I always sang in the choir, served on various Vestries and was Senior Warden at least once. In this area, Skaneateles,NY, I was at St. James for about thirteen years and sang in the choir. That's how I first met Cliff Abrams. Jack Teeter was rector and bad. After Marie Blatz, the organist died, we went to various churches including Jordan, the Cathedral in SYR. and visited a number of others. Irene stopped going to church about this time as she was all wrapped up with her education. I pretty much went by myself. The Rev. William George was Rector at Jordan and I pretty much ended up going there for a number of years. Bill died an untimely death and Sandra Cordingsley became the Rector. Sandy left and they finally called another woman to be rector and she didn't do a thing for me. At one time for a number of weeks all she preached about was Harry Potter. She made a lot of physical changes in the church and I finally gave up. At this time I have been going to St. Peter's in Auburn which was great until Irene decided to go there as she got unhappy with St. James. Ruth and I go to St. James in Leesburg, FL in the winter and much to my liking. May 2004.
The greatest joy in my life is my two daughters. They have lovely families and they've done such a good job raising their children (so far). Both of Betsy's boys are Eagle Scouts and very responsible young men and hard workers. Julie's girls are a wonderful example of their Mother and Aunt Betsy. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. They both have lovely homes and excellent business positions. The girls are still in grade school in Pennington NJ and Betsy & family are still on Hencoop Rd, Skaneateles. Chris is going to be a senior at ESF this Fall (2004) and Matt is graduating from high school this year and plans to go to OCC in the Fall. I have a lot to be proud of.
In May 2004 Ruth and I took a train ride on the Finger Lakes Railroad. When I was young it was the Auburn Road of the NY Central RR. We boarded the train in Geneva and rode to Solvay and back. They made numerous stops for pictures which I have in an album. The Weiskopf went with us. The model train club at the old station in Skaneateles Jct had hamburgers and hot dogs available for lunch which we partook of. All in all it was a nice experience of days gone by.
Betsy has had various responsible accounting positions over the last few years. At one time she was changing jobs like I change my socks. Each time a change was made, a considerable raise followed. Presently she is CFO of United Way of CNY. According to her latest job evaluation, she is doing a tremendous job.
Julie spent 13 years with Bristol Myers Squibb Corp. and hit the glass ceiling. She felt unchallenged. She took a healthy buy out and soon launched out on her own with another woman, also a PHD, to form a company called Axia They do research for drug companies as near as I can figure. They had been working out of their homes for a couple years, and in 2005, opened an office on Nassau St. in Princeton. The office faces the main entrance to Princeton U.The view out of their front window is spectacular. Starbucks is directly below them. Their grand opening was held in Oct. 2005. We were invited and what a great time meeting all her employees and colleagues as well as her partner Liz. Of course we had to contend with Irene's comments. Not too flattering to me.
During the winter of 2005, while in FL, Chris got a new snowmobile. There hadn't been much snow, so when it came, he was off and running. He spent the whole day and night seeing what it could do. In the evening, on a lot west of Bensen Rd. in the town of Owasco, he hit a deep ditch at about 65 mph. He was thrown about 60 ft and cracked 4 vertebrae in his back 2 high and 2 low, and split his sternum. He was able to walk to a house nearby ( about 1 mile) and call for help. He was taken to Auburn and subsequently to Upstate. He was in a body cast for 3 months, which wiped out the 2nd semester of his senior year. In time, he healed and resumed school in the Fall. Planning to graduate in 2006 now. He is at this point a nationally certified Arborist.
Matt started at OCC in business. Not his cup of tea. He transferred in 2006 to CCCC and likes his CAD program a lot.
Emily surprised us wanting to attend Pedde (a private school in Hightstown, near Princeton). All reports have this as a very prestigious and expensive school. She got in and has delighted her parents by achieving honors her first semester.
Hannah is now in middle school and doing very very well in all her subjects. She continues with her swimming and diving. We've enjoyed seeing her in summer theater and diving competition the last two summers. She is quiet, but has a mind of her own.
We had some great trips this year(2005). I reluctantly consented to go on a cruise, so in March, met up with 3 other couples from up North.We boarded "The Infinity" in Ft. Lauderdale. We went from there to Aruba, where we spent a day and then on to the Panama Canal. It took a day to go through it. Then we headed north in the Pacific along Mexico's western coast with various stops, and landed at San Diego Sunday am, where Carl and Louise were waiting to greet us. We had a nice visit, and they were on their way back to Yuma at about 11:00. We couldn't have lunch together, because we had all our luggage in tow, and Louise had short-term parking for their car. We finally got out of SD at about 4:00 and headed for home with a stop and plane change in Houston. We arrived MCO at 1:00am and finally home to Spruce Lane about 3:00am. Whew! Great Trip! Fourteen Days.
Then in Sept. we went by rail & bus to Branson, MO with Weisskopfs. Saw 5 great shows and the train rides were a real experience. Then in October, (instead of the Hedges in the Adirondacks, where we stayed for the last two falls for several days), we went to Hyde Park, NY and ate at the Cul. Instit. of Amer. Great food, great scenery, great experience! Visited the Vanderbilt home and tried to tour West Point, but no private vehicles are allowed anymore since 9/11. We headed for home by way of Hillsdale, (Freddie's home growing up).
All in all I've been very fortunate with my health. I have had some heart, prostate and urinary problems. I have good Docs and have complete faith in them. One thing I hope for is to be alive long enough to see my four grand children through college, established and with their own families. Then I hope for a sudden death. I dread a lingering illness, loss of mental faculties or a lengthy stay in a nursing home and I don't want to be a drag on the girls.
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1881 - 1886 (4 years)
