Occupation: I have a degree in forestry from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University. I have worked as an arborist for over 40 years. I work for Almstead Tree in New Rochelle, New York. I am also an adjunct professor in the Horticulture Department at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. I often give lectures on tree-related topics to a number of professional organizations throughout the Northeast.

Family: My wife Anne and I have been married for 43 years. Anne is the Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Newtown School District. We have three grown children. Our oldest son, Patrick, is a musician and recording engineer who lives in Hamden with his wife Maggie. Our daughter, Caitlin, also lives in Hamden, and is the Director of Marketing for United Way of Greater New Haven. Our youngest son, Tim, lives in Shelton and works for NewSylum Brewery here in Newtown.

Pets: We have one dog, Riley. At 16, she’s mostly blind and mostly deaf, but at least she’s not afraid of thunderstorms anymore. She still loves to go for walks at Fairfield Hills.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We are originally from Rochester, N.Y. We moved to Sandy Hook in 1985 shortly after Patrick was born. We love living in Newtown. It has been a great place to raise our family.

What do you like to do in your free time? Anne and I do a lot of canoeing, kayaking, and hiking in the area. Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah, and the Bantam River are among our favorite paddling spots. I also like to refurbish old canoes and kayaks. We are big fans of live music and are regulars at local music events, including Saturdays at NewSylum.

What is your favorite book? I love to read. I have a long commute every day, so I fill the hours with audio books. Of all the many books I’ve read, my favorite is The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. I read it to my children years ago, and I still go back to reread it every year or two.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? I have been on the Board of Directors of the Newtown Forest Association for 13 years. This is a great organization with an all-volunteer board, filled with people who are passionate about maintaining open space and the rural character of our town. We are the largest private landowner in the town and the oldest Land Trust in the state. The NFA will be celebrating its centennial next year.

Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? My family, trees, and music.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? “Don’t look down.” Advice given to me by my tree crew foreman while teaching me to climb trees. I was 70 feet off the ground and dangling from a half inch manila rope at the time.

What is something you cannot live without? Music. It has always been a big part of my life and the source of many cherished memories.

What is a tradition your family does that is important to you? Every St Patrick’s Day, we celebrate our Irish heritage by singing Irish songs in front of a lot of people. They seem to like it, which only encourages us.

What would you like The Newtown Bee to cover in the future? Harder crossword puzzles, easier Sudokus.