Occupation: I am a clerk at Queen Street Cleaners, in the Big Y plaza. I’ve been working here for about ten years. I was as dog groomer for 23 years. It was dirty work, but I loved those animals.

Family: My son, Joseph, was a Danbury Police Officer for 15 years. He is married to Brenda. I have three grandchildren, Jonah, 20; Raquel, 18; and David, 16. I have an older brother in North Carolina, too.

Pets: I have a cat that I affectionately call “The Beast.” His name is Hunter, and he’ll be 8 years old in July. I have a cockatiel, Gabriel, that is about 30 years old. I’ve had him all but five of those years.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I’ve lived here about 11 years now.

What do you like to do in your free time? I’ve been an art student since I was 8 years old. I graduated from oils into watercolors and acrylics — they travel better than oils. I like to garden, and I like to read.

What is your favorite book? I like murder mysteries, and detective novels. Right now, I’m reading Killing Patton by Bill O’Reilly.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? When I was younger, I’d go anywhere there was a beach. Now, I go to the Northeast Kingdom in Vermont, near the Canadian border. I have a friend who owns a house there, and I just love it. I love the wide open country and it’s beautiful.

What is the best thing about Newtown? The countryside. I was born in the Bronx, so the more trees, the better. And the customers here are really nice. They are sweet people, more like friends than customers. People are personable here.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? I think the biggest influence was my mother. She died when I was 13, but I still remember her words of wisdom, like “When in doubt, don’t!” And my faith in God helps a lot, too.

Did you have a favorite toy growing up? Any kind of animal. They’re still my favorite things. There are even dogs that come in every Saturday to give me a puppy kiss.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Gardening, just playing in the dirt. There’s never enough time.