I was born and raised in Chester PA. Chester is where my family was from. I lived with my parents, Doris, and Tony (Boston Blackie) Ieradi until I was 15 years old. Then, I moved in with my Nanny Ieradi, who lived 5 blocks away from my parents, so that she had someone staying with her. When my Pop-Pop died in 1973, my Nanny would not move from their house. So, one of my cousins or other family members would live with her to make sure she was ok. This was a most excellent time for me.
Growing up, I attended Catholic School my entire life. First, I attended Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chester, and then St Robert's, and then St. James Catholic High School for boys. As an adult I obtained my bachelor's and master’s degree from St. Joseph's University. And to answer an obvious question, no, I was not Ukrainian. I was enrolled there because by the time kindergarten rolled round, it was too late to get into St Robert's.
I lived in the same 5 block radius until 1989 when my then wife and I moved to Middletown Township Delaware County. It was an adjustment for sure moving from the city where everything was so close by, to the “country”, as my Nanny Shinners would say, where you drove to places to get stuff or see someone.
Over my life, I have held a few jobs. I started working for the local, legendary convenience store chain named Wawa Food Markets when I was 16 years old. The day after I turned 16 my mother got my working papers and started cutting grass at the corporate office. I then started working in the computer operations department while I was a senior in high school and have held numerous positions in the IT field ranging from Computer Operator to Sr. Director of Data Center Management. I recently retired at 60 after consulting full-time since 2015.
I have three children, two stepchildren, and one dog named Dahlia. My wife Sandy and I have been together for 20 years, and we currently reside in The Villages, FLA. We have owned several homes in Pennsylvania and vacation homes in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, and sold it all for the sun and warmth, with the occasional tropical storm, of Florida.
And here we are!
Hi Tony, I’m so glad to have met you. I have just learned more about you and am looking forward to your stories. Also to put yourself out there is commendable. I look forward to seeing you and Sandy again. Enjoy the sun! Until the next time!
Denise