Trick Was My Dad Died in Fairbanks When I Was 11

Pat Cycmanick’s Bio

Since I was born on Halloween, my life has been one of Trick or Treat. Treat was that I was born healthy – Trick was I was left on my parents’ door step as they were too poor to afford the treats! Treat was my Dad’s being transferred from Orlando to Fairbanks, Alaska and the great adventure that ensued as he drove us, mother, brother and me, from Orlando to Fairbanks. Trick was my Dad died in Fairbanks when I was 11. Treat was going back to Orlando and living on Arthur Ave and going to St Charles and Bishop Moore with Paula and Margie. Trick was having to go to school with Paula and Margie :- ). Treat was going to St Charles and Bishop Moore and meeting friends that would last a lifetime. Trick was having to work part-time while in school to pay for the privilege of going to Bishop Moore. Treat was going to OJC and then to FSU and being able to wrestle for FSU. Trick was having to work to pay for both. Treat was graduating from FSU in December of 1967 with a major in Finance. Trick was receiving a draft letter from Richard M Nixon in January of 1968. Treat was being separated from the Army after serving 21 months. Due to the fact that when I left Vietnam and arrive back in the world, I had less than 90 days of service left and the Army separated me from service immediately. Trick was prior to being drafted I was told that I had a job as a Federal Bank Examiner after satisfying my draft requirement and Richard M Nixon put a freeze on Federal hiring when I was a civilian again. Treat was that after 3 career moves I found a career that I thoroughly enjoyed for over 31 years. Trick was that I had to move to Montgomery, Al. Treat was the fact that I met my beautiful bride of 29 years, Fran, and we have a son Scott who is 28 and he is living in Atlanta working a consultant for KPMG. Trick was the fact that I had been married twice before and both ex’s passed away within 2 years after our divorces. (I reminded Fran that her life expectancy may be based upon our marriage staying intact.) Treat is the fact that I had an opportunity to be involved with my son’s education ( my car would always breakdown at McDonalds upon returning from a school field trip) and being able to coach him and his friends in soccer, baseball and football. Trick is I have had to attend too many of Scott’s friends funerals. Treat was that I have had a chance to retire in 2011. Trick was that my health forced me to retire in 2011. Treat was that I found a VA doctor who gave me back my quality of life in 2012. Trick is that I wished I had met him prior to retiring. Treat is that I enjoy scuba diving, deep sea fishing, golf and traveling. Trick is the fact that I live in Montgomery. Treat has been that I have had an opportunity to be in contact with most of you over the past year and am looking forward to seeing you soon. Trick some of you are growing up – me, I may be getting older, but will never grow up!!