Occupation: I am vice president of sales for Harbor Industries of Long Island. I work out of my house. I also work at Newtown High School as a varsity softball coach from March to June.

 

How Long in Newtown:  I have lived in Newtown for nine years. I was born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island, N.Y.

 

Biggest Change Seen in Town: The biggest change I’ve seen is in the fact that when I first moved here you could get a ball field very easy. Now, I have had to cancel practices sometimes because someone’s already on the field.

 

Family: My wife, Donna, and I have been married for 17 years. We have two daughters; Nicole, 16, a student at Newtown High, and Danielle, 11, at the Middle School; and a son, Vince, 8, who is at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Pets: We have a dog, a beagle, named Cobi.

 

Hobbies: Sports have always been my hobby. I played everything through when I was 30. Then the knee surgery began. I get my sports injection from coaching now. I coach in the Babe Ruth League, my son’s team, and a Park and Recreation softball team, my daughter Danielle’s team. Any free time I have is for the kids or sports.

 

Favorite Books and Authors: I like to read. My favorite book is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. I read autobiographies, particularly of sports figures, such as the Dennis Byrd story.

 

Favorite TV Show: I don’t watch weekly shows. NFL and college basketball are my two favorites.

Organizations: Babe Ruth Baseball and Girls Softball League.

 

Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: For the first eight years of our marriage, we lived in apartments. When we first arrived in Newtown was to buy our first home. I remember when we went down Crabapple Lane to see one house, and we asked to see the one next door that was also for sale. We walked in, and bought that house. I’ll never forget how excited my wife and I were to buy our first home. My son was born after we bought that house. I’ll always remember that and have that memory.

 

Favorite Vacation Spot: Hawaii. I’ve been there twice, and visited four islands. I never had a bad minute in Hawaii.

Personal Philosophy: I learned how to smile from my mother. She told me to enjoy each day and to treat others as you would want to be treated. I learned from my father the meaning of self pride. He also gave me my toughness. With what I learned from my mother and father, my personal goal is to put a clear, honest head on my pillow at night. You’ll wake up the next day with no regrets, and you can spend that day by being yourself and showing your emotions. I also believe you should live each day to the fullest, and enjoy each day. If issues arrive, address them on the spot. If you think before you speak, put yourself in people’s shoes, you will find a way to rectify any situation. I teach my children it’s nice to do a lot of things well, but it’s crucial to do what’s important to you exceptionally well. I make big plans, and I figure out a way to attain them.