Harry Burris:
CLASS OF 1964
Mastbaum Area Voc-Tech High SchoolClass of 1964
Philadelphia, PA
Temple University - Business SchoolClass of 1980
Philadelphia, PA
Harry's Story
Life
After graduation I continued to work at Humphries. I had a car, a job and a girlfriend. What else could I need. I still lived at home and at 19 got the draft notice. I joined the Navy instead. After boot camp and school, I was stationed in Japan. I stayed there for the rest of my active enlistment. I married a Japanese woman and returned to Philadelphia. We have a son born in 1977. After 17 years we divorced and I have been remarried since 1988. After living for 18 years in Southern NJ and in 2002 lived in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2004 we moved to Fayetteville, PA which is 90 miles from DC where my son lives. I still am working and am able to telecommute. In the middle of very conservative part of the state.
I've taken up a hobby of repairing antique clocks. It may be my next career but only to the extent of financing the hobby.
Life is good ! ! as of June 2014 we have downsized to an apartment in Malvern.PA back to our roots! Just in time for the 50th reunion!
School
Mastbaum was not as much as I could have made it. I should have worked less and been involved more with the many extra-curricular activities. I did date and had a car so I wasn't a complete nerd in my junior & senior years. (my opinion of course). I think I was liked but one never knows (?).
I have been back only once, after I returned from active duty. The neighborhood has changed and both my parents have passed. The family home has changed hands.
This is a good way to keep in touch. I have become a gold member.
College
I took a Japanese language course while in Japan at U of MD. Started Temple in engineering (at night)upon separation from active duty (9/70).
Listened to an advisor(mistake) who told me to take calculus. Got a 'D' (should have been an 'F') and right away I'm on scholastic probation. Start taking electives and basic math (algebra & trig). After 4 years I got a job within the Gas Works as a programmer trainee. I switched to the school of business. I finally graduated after 10 years at night. (May 1980 with a BBA. Except for navy supply corps schooling (6 month curriculum), I have not pursued any advanced degrees.
Workplace
After the Navy, I looked for work and found that at that time the employment agencies wanted money to find me a job. I had two offers to be a hydraulic repairman or a typewriter (remember those) serviceman (before 'person' was the required pronoun). I found that an 'IBM Trainee' needed a 2 yea...Expand for more
r college degree. Someone said try the utilities and since I knew what a wrench was, they hired me as a 'Mechanics Helper' which in stead of wielding a shovel I carried a toolbox for a mechanic. In the winter I made gas. No joke. Back then the city still manufactured gas by coke and oil. I looked like a coal miner when I came home. After progressing to a 'Machinist 1st Class, I decided I was not cut out for heavy dirty work and applied to be a programmer trainee.
I worked another 21 years with PGW, and progressed to supervisor. I found out about office politics which I think prevented me from rising higher (my opinion again). I was able to take advantage of an offer of early retirement in 1995. An immediate annuity which even though not enough to really retired allowed me to take a job with US Healthcare (Blue Bell) as a programmer. I moved on to Provident Mutual (now Nationwide)in Delaware where I still work. I enjoy being a peon. There is something freeing in doing a good job and being responsible for mostly yourself. My Navy career has been more fulfilling in a leadership role than my everyday job. I am able to telecommute most of the time and plan on really retiring when I reach 60 in 2006. Still working but now full-time at home. Retirement is now October '08 when I will be 62.. or sooner. 34 years in IT is too much. UPDATE: Nationwide is laying me off March 1, 2009. I will collect my Social Security and find new and better ways to occupy my time. I'll find some volunteer work. Work more on my clocks and do some traveling.
Military
My career in the Navy was one of the best parts of my life. It spanned a total of nearly 38 years. I spent my active duty at Iwakuni and Atsugi Air Stations in Japan. I was a Gunners Mate which was NOT my choice. I thought my Radio & TV curriculum at Mastbaum would qualify me for an Electronic Technician rating. I enjoyed active duty but being newly married chose to leave active duty. As I was separated at the Philly Navy Yard, I was talked into joining the reserve. I had passed the First Class exam and by affliating I was able to be promoted. I was put on the USS Hank destroyer in Philly. I made Chief in 1976. After getting my BBA , in 1981 I was commissioned as a Supply Corps ensign. I continued 22 more years and retired October 2003 as a Commander. Update: In 2006 I have started to collect my pension but not traveled Space-A yet. I do use the military bases for lodging.
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