Without the constant encouragement of Belle, my wife and North Star, I would not have ever laid pen to paper. How anyone can type and retype so many different details without complaint is beyond me. No one compares—she’s simply the best.
I want to acknowledge with thanks the encouragement and help of Pat Hayward, formerly of the Downhomer. I asked Pat to read the manuscript and advise me if it was worth the effort of trying to find a publisher. Pat insisted that it was worth the effort and went to Flanker Press with a good recommendation.
I want to thank Alvin Hewlett, my former chief of staff, for nearly all of the pictures in the book.
I want to thank editors Paul Butler and Bruce Lilly for their great work. I’m told by Garry, Margo, and Jerry Cranford of Flanker Press that they are great at what they do.
Graham Blair did the cover design, and I want to thank him for his great work. My mug is a bit too big, in my opinion, but who am I to question a professional?
Garry, Margo, and their son Jerry Cranford of Flanker Press are just great people. They have the kind of professionalism that gives a first-timer like myself the confidence you need to take the plunge into the literary world. Thanks.
My thanks to Bill “Billy” Moore and his mom, Beth, for all the information they gave me about the early days of my family in New York. Bill was and is one of the best ironworkers New York ever produced.
My brother-in-law Dick Brady, Staten Island, New York, is another great ironworker who provided a lot of information and some of the pictures in this book.
I want to thank my former executive assistant, Dot O’Keefe, who was not only the anchor in my St. John’s office, but was also the cornerstone of every one of my federal campaigns.