Thomas "Buddie" Munro:  

Born in Rochester, NY, I grew up around the Great Lakes. I've claimed Rochester, NY, Elmira, NY, Cleveland, OH and Detroit, MI all "Hometowns" at one time or another but when it comes right down to it, Lakeville, NY at the north end of Conesus Lake will always be Home to me. We spent many summers at my Aunt Mary & Uncle Ralphs home there. My cousin Butch and many of the "locals" have been lifelong friends. The two years I spent in 10th grade at Livonia Central School (go Bulldogs) were the best. This brings me to an explanation as to why I appear on student rosters at four different high schools. I begin the account of my scholastic journey in the fourth grade. We moved to Elmira, NY in the summer of 1957 where I was enrolled at Parley Coburn Elementary where my teacher was Mrs. Christy. We then moved to the Elmira suburb of Southport where I attended Hardy Elementary in the 5th and 6th grades, my teachers were Mrs. Petris and Mrs. Sterns respectively. I (we) were supposed to start 7th grade at the brand new Broadway Jr. High, only it wasn't finished, so we were sent to Parley Coburn. Finally, 8th grade in a brand new school (Broadway) wasn't it cool. Unfortunately, my dad lost his job at American LaFrance so we moved back to Rochester, NY where my dad went to work at Kodak and I spent 9th grade at East High School, coincidently the same school my Dad went to. In the summer of 1963 we went for a 2 week "vacation" at the Lake, well, it turned out to be the end of my parents, marriage, my Dad left and never came back. As I mentioned, I spent two years as a sophomore. I was involved in JV Sports and had more fun (obviously) than I should have. In the summer of 1965 my Uncle Frank came from Cleveland and took us home to live with his family in Euclid, OH, so I spent the first four weeks of the school year enrolled at Euclid HS, I was only there for four weeks. We found our own apartment on 140th St. right across from the Fischer Body plant. Now you know how I wound up graduating as a "Railroader" from Collinwood High School. I made many friends and have very fond memories of them and many others who were only casual acquaintances. Graduating in 1967, I enlisted in The United States Navy. I had no desire to go to college but the Navy and the Lord must have had other Ideas. I was selected as a candidate for the Advanced Electronics Program. I chose the Sonar Technician course and spent almost two years in Key West, FL. (tough duty but I did it for my country, two grueling Spring Breaks, a total of six three day weekends in Ft. Lauderdale¿Good Times). After completing my training, I was sent to my ship, The USS Gridley, DLG21, in the shipyards in Bath, ME., six more months of shore duty. I joined the Navy ...Expand for more