Chris Casson:
CLASS OF 1969
Somers Central High SchoolClass of 1969
Somers, NY
Kennedy High SchoolClass of 1969
Somers, NY
St. Mary's High SchoolClass of 1966
Katonah, NY
St. Joseph SchoolClass of 1965
Croton falls, NY
Chris's Story
Life has been a fairly interesting trip for me, in the sense that it hasn't gone down the path that thought it would. After Somers I went to college at Weber State University, Ogden UT were I had multiple majors of Math, Theater, Physics, Psychology and Skiing, the primary of which was having fun. Utah has some of the best skiing and hiking in all of the US. I did some of my best academic work, and was having a blast, but I lost focus after taking some bad advice. So, I kept heading west to find myself and ended up in San Francisco's Haight Asbury and Sausalito to enjoy the last remnants of the counter culture, SCCA auto racing and the start of Disco.
I enrolled in Healds College of Engineering, in San Francisco (2 semesters in 1971). Was on a school/pity-payment-for-work intern program until I was released in a 20% work force reduction in a department that only had a five member team...something about my non-viable commercial drafting skills...I was unproductively slow, go figure.
Also in the 70's I worked for Arthur Murray Dance Studios for several years teaching in CA, managing in FL and owning one in CO. I was a dancing addict. I spent some time in the Caribbean doing silk screening and taking in the sights and again majoring in fun. It was while I was working my way back to CA, while operating the Colorado Springs Arthur Murray's, that I met my wife Sherri, and as they say the rest is history.
I started in the car business originally to buy Datsun racing parts cheap and ended up staying in the industry for 25 years. We sold our pre-owned car operation in 2002. Someone wanted our car lot more than I wanted to shovel snow and clean cars. Since then I've been trying all the things I've wanted to know about while still making some sort of living. It's been challenging and has forced me to constantly learn new skills.
Most of my working life has been flying by the seat of my pants working on commission. The only hourly jobs I've ever had were with; Caldors in Mt Kisco, Pavek Roofing during the summers, and a six-month stint as a draftsman for an engineering firm in San Francisco. The rest of the time has been spent introducing someone to the idea of ownership of a; limited production silk scr...Expand for more
een poster, limited edition automobile, the latest dance step, or the idea of home ownership and since 1989 I've been doing whatever solo for myself. Self-employment is not for everyone. It's usually for those who have a hard time conforming and being successful in a group or those who think their way is the better idea and the only way they can convince anyone of that is to go out on your own and prove it...so much for my leadership skills. It usually means you go from a reasonable paying 9 to 5 job to a 5 to 9 job (if your lucky) for a fraction of the income all to prove you have a better idea or, as in my case, you have a non-marketable ADHD resume' that means you are the only one who will hire you. I have a great respect for those who have been able to endure over the long haul working for someone else, especially those who have served in the Military. I never served, but give great thanks and admiration for those who did no matter what their duty station was.
The eventual outcome of being self employed, if you stick with it long enough, is that unless you fire yourself you will never get laid off and the fear of the unknown goes away...eventually. Yea right, convince my wife of that. Really, Pleeease will somebody tell her?
Our latest ventures are helping trees defend themselves against the pine beetle infestation that's ravaging the west, and harvesting pine needles to make pine needle tea in the summer. In the winter, one of my partners and I have just started booking (15 so far) 50' Catamaran 7 day/night sailing trips in the BVI. We'll have all the usual fun-in-the-sun activities with on-board meals and also a Nightclub Dance Tour to sample the assortment of musical styles that can be found in the BVI. So as usual I'll be sailing (instead of flying) by the seat of my pants.
We have had our ups and downs, but in general life has been good and we have been blessed. I often think about my time at Somers High that brings back memories of some great times and interesting people in a very fast moving decade.
I look forward to the next opportunity to see you, until then I hope the wind is always at your back, your pockets are full, shoes comfortable and you can take the time to enjoy the trip.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!
Photos