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Today's Featured Biography

 
Charles Manion

After ABRHS I went into the US Coast Guard 1961-1965 and US Air Force 1965-1968. A lot of “Moments To Remember” in my eight years in military service. Marrige to Mary McNiff, and the birth of our two daughters Kelly, in May 1966, and Kathleen, September of 1968.

In 1968, with full support of Mary, working two jobs, two children, two pets, two cars, and our own home, I enrolled in American International College in Springfield, MA. I had a lot of catching up to do, but it’s amazing how well you can concentrate when it’s you and your wife paying for each class. I graduated with honors, big for me, in 1971.

In 1974 Mr. Raymond J Grey, Superintendent of Schools, ABRHS hired me as a Business Dept. teacher. I taught Accounting 1 & 2 and Retail Marketing from 1974 – 1979. Many of the teachers that we had in Junior High or High School were still teaching in Acton in 1974. There was a slight adjustment in my first month or two to become comfortable calling Mr. Battit, Charlie or Mr. Dadoly, Jim or Mr. Boylen, Dan and so forth. The one that I thought would be the hardest turned out to be the easiest. Miss Stearns walked up to me and said “Chick, now that you a part of the staff, you may call me Izzy.” Mr. Grey stayed Mr. Grey and that’s the way it should be. I enjoyed my five years of teaching very much.

Mary and I had always talked about moving to Florida and in 1979 I accepted a position as Florida Regional Manager with Acton Corp managing eight cable TV stations and we moved to Auburndale, in Central Florida. Living on Lake Ariana was a wonderful place to raise our family and both daughters became National Water Ski Champions

In 1983 I started by own business, K&K Security Systems. I specialized in commercial video surveillance cameras, monitors and recorders. My main clients were Disney and Publix Supermarkets and it was a great ride!. I retired in 2004 with the aspirations we all have about retirement. Unfortunately, Mary’s illness changed our plans to travel and see the world, but we have learned to take life as it comes and make the absolute best of every day!

In 2009 , I was approached by Florida Atlantic University in West Palm Beach to work for the Florida Center for Environmental Studies on a part time basis.. They located me through the volunteer work that Mary and I do for the Florida Fish & Wildlife division. I collect data about providing public access and recreational opportunities on publicly owned lands This puts me out in the woods, trail riding and wildlife viewing on our 4x4 All Terrain Vehicle . This is what Mary & I have been doing on a volunteer basis since 2007 for the Florida Fish & Wildlife division. and has given us new experiences in retirement by working together.

Bright Lights in my life – in no particular order.
1. My two daughters and my nineteen year old granddaughter.
2 Moving to Florida and living on a lake.
3. Being healthy enough and retiring early enough to still do things.
4. High School
5. With all sincerity my brightest light in life has always and will always be Mary McNiff.

See you at the reunion!!

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