Jim Clade:
CLASS OF 1966
Wantagh High SchoolClass of 1966
Wantagh, NY
Adelphi UniversityClass of 1970
Garden city, NY
Beech Street Elementary SchoolClass of 1962
Wantagh, NY
Jim's Story
Life
Grew up in the wonderful town of Wantagh in the fabulous 50's and 60's. Meet my wife Lynn, a Plainview girl, at OBI South. I left LI and moved to Phoenix in 1973 to open a motorcycle shop with some LI friends. Sold my '66 Corvette 427 Stingray convertible, '71 TVR sports car (know what that was?), '68 Harley Sportster and '72 Harley Shovelhead full custom chopper to help fund the adventure. Yeah, I wish I had them today! Moved around the country with other jobs in sales management positions after I left the bike business. I have also lived in Great Falls, MT., Denver, CO. 2X, Kansas City, KS., Little Rock, AR., Pittsburgh, PA.,Memphis, TN. and now Florida. We did not have kids and I still think it was a smart choice. In August 2025 we're married 51 years. I early retired over 21 years ago at age 56. I've bought some Harley Davidson motorcycles since retiring and still enjoy riding like back in the old days. I had gone back to work in May 2008 for a Memphis Harley Davidson dealership selling motorcycles. It was like working in a candy store and I really enjoyed helping customers get on the ride of their dreams. I built a fully customized Harley Fat Boy while there. I'm back to full retirement since 2012 and moved to Florida January 2016. There are so many family members and friends down here that we decided it was the best place to be in retirement. So life has been very good.......no worries! Be well. Be happy.
School
Started at Beech Street School in Wantagh for K to 6th. I remember Mrs. Lamb and Ms. Harter the best. Did Jr. High at the Beech Street Wing. At that time Bill Hughes, Bob Heise and I are inseparable. Dated classmate Suellyn Simon from 7th grade all through high school. The real fun was Wantagh High School 9th to 12th grades. The class of '66 was a great group living in the best of times. Mr. Tarrow was awesome. Went to Adelphi University for a BBA since I did not want to leave Wantagh or LI. and my W...Expand for more
HS - hot rod - and biker friends....I was having way too much fun! Jones Beach life rocked and almost every night was "American Graffiti" for us.
College
Went to Adelphi University in Garden City. You might say I did not work to the best of my ability in college since I worked full time, "played" full time and was in college full time. You can figure it out. But I escaped with decent grades nevertheless and a BBA degree that came in handy. Most people don't know that I was accepted to Princeton but a trip there in my black leather jacket afforded me the opportunity to know that I would not fit in the Ivy League scene.
Workplace
Worked through college at Wantagh Auto Parts then as a Dairy Barn manager to support my motorcycle, car and party habits. After Adelphi University I worked for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Huntington. Left LI to go to Phoenix to open a motorcycle shop/store in 1973. Got out of that business to make some more money, and took a job with Crane Supply that got me into the plumbing, HVAC, and flow control business. Stayed in that field my whole career with sales and marketing positions. Companies included Amfac, Central Pipe, American Standard and Mueller Industries.. I retired many years ago in Feb. 2004. I thought I might go back to work if the right job came along and bit me on the butt. Well, I've got the teeth marks on my butt because in May 2008 I went back to work selling motorcycles at my local Harley Davidson dealership. It was way fun and I can't think of a better way to earn a few bucks, have employer health insurance and helping customers get on a Harley. Only trouble was I gave most of the money I earned back to the shop for purchases. So now in I'm back to full time retirement and enjoying the experience in Florida.
Military
No service. Missed the Vietnam draft with a student deferment and then some good lottery numbers. RIP those that did not make it back including some of our own.
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