June '59

Quinn Stefanac Gravel born May 10, 2022 10 lbs 10.7 oz and 23 inches

After high school I went to Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK got an aircraft mechanic license and then worked for Zantop Air Transport as a flight line mechanic on C-46, C-47, and C54 cargo airplanes. In Feb 1963 I joined the airforce and was trained to work on the B-52 flight simulator. In 1967 I got out of the airforce and went to work for Chrysler Engineering as an electronic technician, later I worked at the tank plant and was a supplier quality assurance rep. in 1982 General Dynamics bought the tank plant and I worked for them until 1986 when I got a job with Boeing Aerospace where I worked on a lot of interesting projects until 1994 when I got surplussed due to Clinton cutbacks in military spending. I moved to Chicago and got a real estate license and sold commercial real estate for 8+ years until I moved to Fl where I worked for Sears for a couple of years before retiring as I turned 65 and can collect SS and Boeing and GD retirements. My wife is still hard at work as an OB/GYN and I take care of the house and wash the dishes. I don't do no cooking because I ain't no good at it and besides my wife does such a good job at cooking I don't need to mess things up. I am content with doing the dishes and she is okay with that as long as I keep the place clean. I also dewrinkle the clothes sometimes when she gets after me to get off my lazy ass and do something. Usually I can be found in the garage tinkering with something or in the yard yanking weeds or cutting the grass or just plain putsing around. 2021 Update, Vera and I have moved to an assisted living facility where we get help 24/7 in caring for Vera who is suffering from PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) she ws diagnosed with it in 2016 and is now in stage 4 going on to stage 5 and needs help with everything she does. Currently she is coughing and choking on almost all foods and drinks she takes in and the foods is mixed and mashed and drinks are thickened but she still has trouble swallowing. Otherwise, she is feeling well and seems to be in pretty good spirits and enjoys visits from our girls and their hubbbys. I am hoping for the very best and feel sorry for her condition. Our location is the Osprey Lodge in Tavares Florida and they can be googled if you would like to view the residence and the programs they provide. It is a nice place and I don't have to maintain the house any more and spend most of my time playing games on the computer.

Yes I have a few.
1. Lena Doll, the English teacher who used to stand in the wastebasket to get out of the cold draft among other oddities.
2. Swim class in the nude. remember we were required to swim naked.
3. Friday dance class.
4. The Old Mill. Do you remember putting a penny over a glass on a piece of paper and burning holes in the paper with cigarettes until the penny fell in and the loser had to drink from the glass.
5. The record store next door to the Old Mill.
6. Richards Drive In
7. Giegers.
8. Telway Drive In.
9. Redford Golf Course Summer & Winter. Toboggan slides and Ice skating rink
10. The roller rink on 8 Mile Rd.
these are a few memories. also there were the Boblo Boats and Sanders and the pet store that also sold model plane kits and the Redford Theater on LAHSER. I always thought it was Lasher but then somebody pointed out to me the actual spelling on the street sign and lo and behold it was spelled LAHSER. who woulda thunk it. How about Edgewater Park. anybody know when they closed?

Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK; Graduated in Airline Service Technician and Jet Engine Overhaul Technician (result is an FAA Airframe & Powerplant mechanic license)

US Air Force flight simulator training (trained to repair & maintain a B-52 flight simulator)

Chrysler Institute Highland Park, MI, Associate degree in Business Management

Real Estate School in Chicago, IL (resulted in an Illinois real estate license)

1963 to 1967 US Airforce, made the rank of Airman 1st class in 19 months grade E-4. Basic training at Lackland AFB , TX; Flight simulator school at Chanute AFB, IL; Assigned to Westover AFB, MA with TDY trips to maintain and repair a mobile B-52 simulator going from base to base Turner AFB in Albany, GA; McCoy AFB in Orlando, FL; Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH and Pease AFB in Portsmouth, NH.

Summer 2008 had a family reunion of cousins in MI at my cousin Jim's house on Bellevue Lake. I have also been to Barcelona, Spain for Christmas 2005 with my wife and daughters and son-in-law. Visited my wife's family in the Czech Republic and snow skied in Czech and Austria and Italy. Also Skied Aspen, Snowmass, CO; Whistler & Blackcomb, BC; Mt St Anne in Quebec, Killington, VT; Big Sky, MT; Heavenly, CA and some others I can't remember the names of right now. I have also done a lot of boating on the great lakes and lake St Claire had a 22' Chris Craft 1952 wood boat then upgraded to a 34' cabin boat. When we moved to Seattle, my wife bought me a 42' Ocean Nova with twin diesel motors and dual driving stations. It was a pleasure to boat on Puget sound and Lake Washington.
It's now 2010 and I spent Christmas 2009 with my daughters and son in law in Seattle, WA. Had a great time and saw a bunch of changes since we moved out of Seattle in 1994. Glad to be back home in Florida where it is a bit warmer. Wishing all classmates a Happy New.
It's now 2011, what happened to 2010? Seems like only yesterday I was in Seattle, Actually, I was in Seattle again this Christmas with the daughters and son-in-law. Had a very joyous Christmas and enjoyed seeing Seattle again also.
2012 Christmas in Seattle again, Great trip.
2013 Christmas in Prague, Czech Republic with daughters and son-in-law, visited Vera's brother Franta and one of her classmates from med school. Also visited Vera's parents grave.
2023 was a trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia for my daughter's official wedding celebration, it was delayed do to the Covid closing of the venue in 2020 when she eloped to get married at Big Sur, CA.
2024 was another travel year with a road trip to Michigan and then across the north from Mackinaw to Seattle down to Genoa, NV and back to Florida. I also flew to Seattle from Florida for Christmas with my daughters and my grandson. I also drove up to Vancouver, BC and visited my brother-in-law and his family. Happy New Year Everybody for a great 2025 I am praying for the best year.

Visited 49 states including D.C. not Alaska.
Visited Canada, Vancouver, B.C., Lake Louise, Banff, Jasper, Catamount Glacier, Windsor, Toronto, Quebec, Montreal
Visited Europe, Czech Republic, Prague, Pilsen, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Ireland, Croatia.

Places I have lived in the past 50 years are:
Tulsa, OK; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; Fort Myers, FL; Venice, FL; Naples, FL; Tampa, FL; Glenwood, IA; and Mount Dora, FL. Tavares, FL, Gainesville, FL

New address since February 2023: 24 SW 40th St., Gainesville, FL 32607, Permanent address.

Cell Phone 352-531-9770

email: martystefanac@gmail.com

Christ the King on Grand River and Trinity

I attended the Friday Night Reception at the Embassy Suites Hotel
I attended the Saturday Night Banquet at the Embassy Suites Hotel
I attended the Parshallville Cider Mill Outing