My Education:I am a Registered Nurse, completing training at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fl. I have chosen to specialize in Endoscopy Nursing,with national certification in that field. I just comlpeted a six year term as volunteer for the National Certifying Board of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates.
My Career:I was an intensive care nurse for years before working in the GI field. Last 15 years Endoscopy Supervisor, Cape Coral Hospital, Cape Coral, FL.
How I spend my free time:Grandson soccer or basketball games are great! As are family BBQ's. In the past we have enjoyed boating, fishing. We do have a Harley motorcycle and enjoy going on rides. Also into the new "old" style Mustang cars. Enjoy traveling.
Other comments:Make sure you all get your screening colonoscopy. We are all over 50! Colon cancer is in the 90% preventable with screeing exams! (Updated 6/22/2010)
Joe Siever Address:5208 18th Avenue W Bradenton, FL 34209-5012
Home:941 794-5719 Email:sieverj2@gmail.com
Spouse:Married to Jan for 45 years with 2 children.
Personal:I met Jan in Charleston, S.C. at a nightclub while I was stationed in the Air Force there. We have two children, Jana (38) and Jared (36). Jana is a Speech Pathologist living and working in Honolulu, Hawaii and Jared is a bar manager at O'Bricks in downtown Bradenton.
My Education:I graduated from Manatee Junior College here in Bradenton. After the service, I graduated from The Citadel in Charleston with a B.A. degree in Psychology.
My Career:I served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years and survived the Vietnam experience. After a couple of business ventures, I ended up working for the Postal Service. I retired from the Post Office in 2014 after 38 years of service.
How I spend my free time:I have been a runner for 28 years. I have run 30 marathons and the Boston Marathon twice. We also spend our time traveling, especially to Hawaii. I also volunteer at Animal Services. (Updated 11/8/2017)
Jim Slegers Address:1600 First Ave. W.- Unit 404 Bradenton, FL 34205
Home:941 744-9500 Email:jesus_loves_you34206@juno.com
Spouse:Married to Patricia for 35 years with 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
Personal:Met my wife at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. Our 3 children (and grand children) live in Oklahoma City.
My Education:Certified Air Traffic Controller
My Career:I`m a retired air traffic controller from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). I worked in Miami (busy facility), as I aged my nerves became "fried" and I took an early retirement at 50. Pay was good, so is the pension. I returned to Bradenton (my birthplace) where I live in a riverfront condo close to the downtown public library.
How I spend my free time:Christian ministries, reading, taking walks, watching baseball and football games.
Other comments:I'm a Christian...dedicated to Jesus Christ (by His grace)...always thankful to Him for eternal life. (Updated 3/31/2010)
Sue Smethurst Duvall Home:303-255-2596 Email:sue.duvall@gmail.com
Spouse:Married to Raymond Joel for 42 years with 2 children and 1 grandchild.
Personal:Met at Manatee Junior College. Moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1986, moved to Westminster, CO in 1998. Both children live in Phoenix. Bryce is a mechanical engineer with Honeywell and Adam is a fraud investigator. Joel works for Oracle and I am semi-retired. Joel and I have a Gold Wing and travel all over when work permits!
My Education:AS from Manatee Junior College, AA from Palm Beach Junior College and BS in accounting from Western International University.
My Career:Enjoying my retirement!!
How I spend my free time:Needlework, riding our motorcycle, relaxing with friends. (Updated 6/11/2010)
Charles Smith
Joanne Smith Cochran I have 2 children.
Personal:Married
How I spend my free time:Travel
Diane Smith Pooley Address:726 32nd Street West Bradenton, FL 34205
Home:941 749-5531 Office:(941) 7480747 Email:TemMorse@aol.com
Spouse:Married to Michael for 30 years with 3 children.
Personal:I met my husband Michael while working at Manatee Memorial Hospital. We dated for two years before we married. Sadly my husband past away 5 years ago . We were married for 30 years. We have three beautiful children. I am so fortunate that all my children are still in Bradenton. Daughter Jennifer. age 29, has an art studio with her boyfriend and does Interior Decorating. Son, Brian, age 24, is Assistant Produce Manager at Beachway Publix, Daughter Laura , age 24, (yes twins), works at Blockbuster Video and has plans to become a Veterinary Technician.
My Education:After high school I graduated from Manatee Junior College with an Associate In Science Degree in Nursing. I have been a Registered Nurse since 1967.
My Career:I worked at Manatee Memorial Hospital for five years and Sarasota Memorial for two years. I left Sarasota Memorial when I had my first baby. Then I worked for two Doctors for six years. After my twins were born I was fortunate to be able to stay home with them for seven years. I am currently employed at the Manatee County Health Department. I have been there for sixteen years. My first assignment was working at the Juvenile Detention Center. I was there for eight years. That was my favorite job. At one time I worked part time at the jail and was assigned to the Immigration Unit,(that was like working for the United Nations). Part of my present job includes running the medicine room and I also inspect Body Piercing Facilities (a very eye opening job)(I have no piercings)
How I spend my free time:At present most of my time is spent with my two adopted Grandchildren, Olivia age 10 and Jack age 5. They are neighbor's children that I watch at night while their mother works. I like spending time with my children. That is my favorite past time. I like to sew and do crafts. With my daughter, who likes to thrift store shop, we make the rounds from Bradenton to Tampa.
Other comments:I really don't know why I am on the missing list-----I have never left Bradenton for any length of time. I am at the same address I was at the last reunion. In fact it is the same address for the last 36 years---two houses away from Manatee High school.
James Smith Address:P.O. Box 1334 Moore Haven, FL 33471-1334
Home:863 946-2335 (Updated 9/8/2009)
Larry Smith Address:8619 11th Avenue NW Bradenton, FL 34209
Email:lsmith4234us@yahoo.com
Spouse:Married to Susan for 25 years.
Personal:Susan and I met in a bar, stayed drunk for a week, sobered and then dated for five years. We got married on a boat in the middle of Lake Lanier( no escape route!) My progeny, Bradley, takes after his mother(intelligence wise) and is a very gifted engineering student (senior) at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
My Education:Presbyterian College B.S. University of Florida School of Law Georgia State University - MBA ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
My Career:I started my real business career (outside of Smith's Department Store) as part owner of Equipment Investigators which was involved in reclaiming and marketing construction equipment. After selling that business, I spent the next eight years as a commoditiy broker/trader in Atlanta and Hong Kong. I then returned to graduate school and got an MBA. I was then hired by Arthur D. Little, Inc. to provide marketing for their valuation and state & local tax group. Our company was acquired by Deloitte & Touche. After a tumultuous couple of years, I left to start my own company specializing in the reduction of state and local tax for industrial clients. Once again, I sold the company. Took a little time off, broke my achilles tendon, did some consulting and then joined with an attorney friend at Compton & Associates. We provided state and local tax reduction services through five offices. I was vice president in charge of marketing. In 2007, I left Compton and joined an MHS Classmate, Bill Mullis, at his company. In doing that, I moved to Bradenton. I currently live in Bradenton with my wife, Susan. Bill sold the company and moved to SC.
How I spend my free time:As when I was a lad at MHS, I still weight train (6 days per week - SICK!). I am also involved (when I have time) in kayaking and swimming. I serve on several committees at Kiwanis International. Other times I spend reading and not acting my age by driving sports cars. We also fish, ride bikes and travel.
Other comments:I still consider my time at MHS as the most fun I ever had and the friends that I made there the dearest. I look forward to seeing all of you. (Updated 11/9/2017)
Kathleen Snyder Miner Address:PO Box 15532 Sarasota, FL 34277
Home:941 504-3970 Email:kathmnr@aol.com
I have 2 children and 8 grandchildren.
Personal:Married & divorced Jim Grobleski(class of 62)We have two sons, James & Robert. My son Jim and his wife, Julie, live in Canada with their 6 children (the oldest is 10). Jim has his own business installing fiber optics and cable. Robert and his wife, Felecia, live near Ft. Lauderdale. They have two sons. Robert is Chief Engineer and First Mate on a private yacht. He was in the Coast Guard and has his Captain's license. Both have been great kids and are now terrific fathers and husbands. I was single 13 years between my divorce from Jim and my marriage to Michael Miner. The marriage ended after 15 years.
My Education:Took accounting classes at MCC. Recieved most of my "education" by working as Controller and Internal Auditor in Manhattan for companies owned by Rupert Murdock. The six year experience worked wonders for my career.
My Career:I have two bussinesses. I have a bookkeeping business specializing in the construction industry. Clients are located mainly in Sarasota, but I also have clients from North Port to Anna Maria. The other business is called "Miner Changes". This is my design re-mix business I have been doing for the last 3 years.
How I spend my free time:I was tragically born without the sports gene. So hobbies are reading, biking, walking, working in my "Garden of Eden" yard, foreign films and cooking and entertaining. Also like to go on junkin' trips to cities around Florida and Georgia. 8 Grandchildren kept me busy...'til 6 of them moved from Nokomis to Canada! (Updated 5/17/2010)
CF Snyder Address:8 Meskill Ct Sterling, VA 20165
Home:703 450-4972 Office:301 227-2800 Email:youngduke@verizon.net
Spouse:Married to Mary Jane for 48 years with 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Personal:Mary Jane came into my parents' furniture store with her grandmother when we were kids. Our two daughters and grandchildren (teens) all live within a few miles of us in northern Virginia.
My Education:I graduated from the Naval Academy and the taxpayers sent me to Michigan State for a Masters Degree in Control Systems. I am a licensed Professional Engineer and Naval Architect.
My Career:I served as an Engineering Duty Officer in the Navy - mostly in ship construction programs -nuclear powered cruisers and aircraft carriers. Since retiring from uniform in 1989, I was a civilian employee of the Dept of the Navy. My biggest challenges were my assignments as Design Manager for the CVN-77 (George H. W. Bush) and for the CVN-78 (Gerald R. Ford) I concluded my Navy career as the Technical Director at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Carderock, Maryland - just 20 miles west of Wash, DC. Carderock is the primary research and development center for ships and ship systems for the Navy, employing 3500 scientists and engineers. I retired on 31 Dec, 2012. I now work for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund- I am a Starter one day per week (in-season) at their golf course (Bretton Woods Rec Center).
How I spend my free time:I do landscaping work at home. I help Habitat for Humanity of Loudoun County, Va build houses. I golf and fish. I continue to read everything I can find about the American Revolution - a truly miraculous series of events. Mary Jane and I travel, hoping to see as much of the nation and world as we can while we can.
Other comments:I loved seeing as many of you as I did at our recent 70th Birthday Party! Who will plan our 55th reunion???? (Updated 11/22/2017)
Greg Sparks Address:PO Box 37 Gallup, NM 87305
Email:srsrnrn@hotmail.com
Spouse:Married to Susan Turner for 22 years with 4 children and 3 grandchildren.
Personal:Susan, a former MHS classmate, and I have known each other for a multitude of years but not on a social basis. In 1985 she returned to Bradenton from North Carolina and we began dating, Three years later we were married. She had 4 children, Mrs. Sara Connell who actually taught at MHS. John Bongers, lives in Alaska with his wife and 2 children, works on the North Slopes, near Deadhorse, Alaska. David Bongers lives with his wife and daughter in Gallup,NM, where he is in management. Youngest step-son, Steven Bongers, also lives in Gallup, NM with his wife. Steve attended UNM and is employed in the silver industry, for a banking/ATM service and owns a graphic/computer business-METATROX.
My Education:After a few years in Indiana I returned to Bradenton. Employed by Bio Temp Scientific for 17 years, in 1992 moved to Gallup, NM with Susan where she began working for the Indian Health Service.
My Career:Traveled from NM to Alaska for 6 years with the wifes career, then back to NM. She is now retired and I have been employed by Wal*Mart for 15 years. We moved to Arcadia, Fl. 2 weeks after Hurricane Charlie hit, but after 18 mos. returned to Gallup, NM.
How I spend my free time:When the "Honey Do" list isn't to over loaded, I am hunting, shooting, reloading or gunsmithing for myself, family and friends. Member of Gallup Shooters Club, NRA, ACLJ and attend New Life Apostolic Church in Gallup.
Other comments:I enjoyed fishing in Florida and Alaska, but not much fishing in NM. My life began when I married my wife!! (Updated 3/31/2010)
Sally Spencer Bearmer Address:12557 30th St Cir E Parrish, FL 34219-1625
Office:941 953-5383 Email:cw.erb@comcast.net (Updated 4/2/2010)
Joe Spivey Address:2907 48TH ST W Bradenton, FL 34209-6131
Home:941 792-1768 Email:jobecat@yahoo.com
Spouse:Married to Barbara Budd for 3 years with 8 children and 9 grandchildren.
Personal:I met my spouse, Barbara Budd 1969 MHS grad, on a blind date.
My Education:Troy State University
My Career:USMC 4 years, Florida Power and Light Restoration Specialist 35 years
How I spend my free time:Hunting and Fishing
Other comments:2I plead the fifth. (Updated 12/7/2011)
Mary Stallard
Jean Stanhope DiBitetto Address:2 Tay Rd Hooksett, NH 03106
Home:603 268-0423 Office:603-669-9696 Email:Jean.DiBitetto@edwardjones.com
Spouse:Married to Michael for 26 years with 2 children.
Personal:Michael and I met at Horsefeathers Restaurant on Main Street in Sarasota at 12 am New Year's 1982 while he was on vacation. Michael grew up in Andover, MA, and has a very noticeable Boston accent. (Secret > I thought he was an actor! My Dad thought he was Mafia!) We married in the fall of 1984 and I moved to New England, specifically Rye, NH, on the Atlantic Ocean. Chris is my eldest, is a 2008 graduate of George Washington University in DC, is currently enrolled at The Georgetown University Graduate School. He and his college sweetheart, Ashley, were married last August (2010) in St. Michaels, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. They live in Arlington, VA. Natale, my younger, is a 2009 graduate of Keene State College in NH and is the Office Administrator for the Seacoast Career School in Manchester, NH. She enjoys being a social butterfly and globe trotting. She's also my boomerang child. :-)
My Education:After graduation, I attended Manatee College. At age 20, I moved to Sarasota where I called home until coming to New England. During my working career(s), I have been licensed as a Master Cosmetologist, certified as an Estetician and Make Up Artist, and held an insurance license and operated Stanhope & Associates in Sarasota prior to moving to New England.
My Career:After 16 years as an at-home Mom, I re-entered the administrative management profession in 2000, joining Edward Jones (Investments) in the Hooksett, NH, Branch Office. In 2006 and again in 2010, I accepted a limited partnership and am enjoying being an owner in my firm.
How I spend my free time:I love to watch movies, especially comedy, am an avid reader of books, periodicals, and the Wall Street Journal, of course! I love to flower garden, which in New England means a few weeks of the year. I also love to work out on weights. Working full time leaves little time for much else.
Other comments:I fondly remember so many of you and some amazing times we shared, and all the laughs. I think of you often. And now we are all wondering where did the years go! (Updated 12/17/2014)
Jeff Starrak Address:5570 Amoroso Dr Ft.Myers, FL 33919
Home:239 454-8645 Email:ftbp7@aol.com
Spouse:Married to Jeanne for 23 years with 1 child.
Personal:We met in Phx, Ariz in 1978 through mutual friends. Our son goes to Fla Gulf Coast Univ in Ft. Myers. He works in the restaurant bus.
My Education:Manatee community college, heavy equipment school in Homestead. General Contractor's license in Colo. and Fla.
My Career:4 Years in the Army. Mainly construction.
How I spend my free time:Car racing, motorcylces.
Laura Steele Gillum (Updated 9/16/2009)
Mary Sterner
Myrtle Stevens Myers Address:3712 35th St W Bradenton, FL 34205
Home:941 756-0355 (Updated 9/8/2009)
Sandi Stickles Brookner Address:71 Elliott Drive Williamstown, MA 01267
Home:413 458-8564 Office:413 597-4168 Email:brookner@msn.com
Spouse:Married to Howard for 51 years with 2 children and 4 grandchildren.
Personal:Met him on a trip to visit family the summer after we graduated - over 51 years and he's still my best friend. Two daughters, Joelle, a Brandeis University and Smith College graduate, is Principal of our local elementary school and married to the school system’s IT Specialist with two boys, 24 and 16 Younger daughter Jaclyn graduated from UMass Amherst and Russell Sage University - an RN/Case Manager with two daughters 17 and 21. The older is an Honors program sophomore at Florida Gulf Coast University They all live within in 5 miles of us Williamstown. It's heaven.
My Education:Couple of years of college ...lots of extra classes.
My Career:I was a VISTA volunteer when children were young - actually was just given a nice award/proclamation from state of Vermont for "pioneering in child care in the state of Vermont". I've done things from being a VISTA volunteer to Managing the bookstore for Williams College to 12 years working for the J. Paul Getty Trust's "Art and Architecture Thesaursus" and 9 years being in charge of the Language Lab in the Center for Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at Williams College. Left the Lab 6 years ago in favor of hiring and working with Williams students who run Williams' reunion and working two or three other big events for Alumni Relations st Williams leaving us the winter to spend in Bradenton. 7 years ago we took the leap and bought a condo in Bradenton where we spend the winter for ach year. So fortunate to be able to be in Bradenton winters. Another 2-3 years we plan on being here year round.
How I spend my free time:We have golfed - I'm having a knee replacement in early December with hopes that I’ll be back on the fours in another year - I’m horrid but I love it. I used to spend a lot of time dreaming about being back on the island and the beaches and now that we get to spend a good portion of the year there I still do...what a hoot! This next winter the plan is to do some exploring all over the state.
