Bruce Hancock

I was prior-enlisted. My father passed the same evening of my basic training graduation. Left the Academy to help my mother, since things were getting pretty tough for her without my father. She didn't drive, had no income, and there was no life insurance to speak of.

Finished my enlistment stationed at Griffiss in Rome, NY working on autopilot systems for the B-52's and KC-135's. Met my wife while stationed here. Funny how that happens!

Moved to Long Island to be closer to my mother, and lost everything in a very bad real estate deal. Worked many, many different jobs. Finally moved back to Rome and after another two years landed in the fire service.

Retired in 2004 after 27 years of Fire Fighting. Three months later the Mayor told me that I was to start part-time the following Monday. That announcement was at my retirement party.

I schedule the inspections for the other fire fighters and research the Building and Fire Codes for both the department members and public.

Back on a motorcycle after a 35 year break. I try to get a minimum 35 miles every day around one of our local lakes. A few multi hundred mile trips each year, plus a number of charity runs.

Was really into tropical fish - to the point that we had dozens of tanks and 8' X 2' X 2' vats in our cellar for angel fish breeding. Now just a small 11' X 16' X 5' koi pond I made while contemplating retirement. My favorite 'pet' fish was the arowana - a more 'manly man's' fish. http://www.zoedotes.com/fish.htm

My wife has a couple of 'barking cats,' which have become my constant companions. They have to go with me any time I take the car, or they go into a deep depression. They shadow me all over the house. I have always been use to larger dogs that never acted this way.