Daniel Fitzhenry:
CLASS OF 1973
Norwin High SchoolClass of 1973
North huntingdon, PA
St. Agnes SchoolClass of 1966
North huntingdon, PA
Daniel's Story
Well I graduated from Norwin went to Pitt; about half way into my sophomore year (1975) my family ran out of $$ for education so I had to get a job. But since I was in the first group of Paramedics to be certified in Pennsylvania in 1974, I quickly found work as a full-time civilian Paramedic for the Penn Hills Police Dept. and did so while going to college full-time (1975-1982). (Also,, while still in High School I was one of the first groups to be certified in Pennsylvania as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)--so I really had no time for high school events given that I was going to class at nights.)
I earned a BS Degree in Psychology ('79), a BA Degree in Public Administration ('80) and a Masters Degree in Public Administration [MPA]('82); While at Penn Hills I met my wife to be Diane (1978) and we were married in 1982.
I then worked for the County of Allegheny/ Community College as their EMS Director/Coordinator (1982-1989)-- that was a fun job but the salary was low; I was recruited by a hospital system for EMS/ED/Transportation Executive etc etc and while there, I finished a Masters Degree in Public Health [MPH] in 1992;
Seeing minimal prospects for hospital admin jobs opening up soon and not wanting to leave the area because of the kids, I started going to Law School at night. I graduated with Juris Doctor Degree from Duquesne University School of Law ('96), graduated in the upper 2/5, passed the bar that summer, and was licensed in December 1996.
Just as I was ready to bail-out of the hospital system in 1996, our hospital system was bought by a bigger hospital system and I was offered (and I took) a nice multihospital department Exec Dir. job. That was okay because at the time my wife's parents had terminal medical conditions, and we couldn't make a move then. However, the big hospital system went Chap 7-11 in 2000 and all cross-facility jobs were eliminated in 2001, including mine... but that was okay too as I needed to start the Lawyer Biz.
So now I am a private practice attorney working in the areas municipal/zoning, healthcare, and public safety, and have done work on mass-tort pharmaceutical actions. [I do not do divorces or criminal law as I see too much of my extended family as it is. :-)]. I teach law courses for a local university (and cringe at the idea that some of those students are young enough to be my grandchildren!)
While I am not in the "emergency medical business" full time, I do serve as a "reserve member" with the US Department of Health and Human Service's [National] Disaster Medical System (worked at 9/11 Ground Zero-WTC/NYC in 2001)] and recently (2020-2021)COVID Missions at: Anniston,AL; San Antonio ,TX; San Diego CA and Arizona. 2017-2018, Hurricane Dorian in Puerto Rico/Florida (2019), Pacific Typhoons Mangkhut, Yutu Guam, Hawaii (2018), Hurricane Sandy in New York (2012); southern Hurricanes including Katrina/Irma/Rita, Ivan,2004,2005, 2006, 2008,) Haiti Earthquake (2010), Flint, Michigan Water Crisis (2016.) ...Expand for more
Unification Mission of Children with detained Immigrant Parents (2018); Lots of stories from these deployments--these events constantly remind me that ONE IS NEVER TOO OLD FOR A NEW ADVENTURE--- Deployments have lasted from 5 days to 3. months.
I have 2 sons: David, age 35 (1987), 6'3" 180 lbs who is a graduate of IUP (as of Aug 09)and was a letterman on the Penn Hills High School Football team (QUAD A) and is a certified EMT. David works for the Municipality of Penn Hills as a Building Inspector/Enforcement Officer.. David lives with his fiance Keri in his home in Penn Hills . David has a daughter, Mariah Lynn, Age 8-who keeps "pappy" busy by transporting her to/from Karate lessons, In Aug, 2021 David and Keri became parents to David Liam. My younger son Danny, age 34 (1988) graduated Penn Hills High School, is 6',180 lbs; is a certified SCUBA Diver, Lifeguard, EMT-Paramedic/ Firefighter, and is an avid ATV driver. Danny is now a Firefighter-Paramedic (2026) with Fairfax County (Virginia) Fire-Rescue, and moved from an appartment to a new house with a new wife in astern suburb of Winchester Virginia ---- then with his wife to be (WTB) who had been with him for several years. "Formal Nuptials" occurred in Sept 2019.. In September 2020, Danny and Jill had a son Benjamin Robert.
Both David and Danny earned their Eagle Scout rank.
Diane, my dear wife of 39( years, is the Director of EMS and Deputy Municipal Clerk of the Municipality of Penn Hill, Allegheny County Pennsylvania. She is one of a few in her line of work in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that is a Certified Municipal Clerk. She has BA degree in 2008 from Pit in Public Administration and Legal Studies and is a Nationally Registered EMT-PARAMEDIC. I and the family are indeed VERY PROUD of her.
Our family's summertime fun is boating 24 ft. Pontoon Boat, a erson-size wave-runner used for tubing and water skiing, David's cabin cruiser----on the Allegheny River. We also ride our ATVs when they are "not broke".
Past summers' vacations have included week-long cruises in the Caribbean and New York to/from Canada; sailing and SCUBA trips in the Florida Keys, and a 3 week event spanning both LA and Las Vegas..
Our family pets are beagles, Lucky and Romeo. (And I swear that a beagle is nothing but a mouth with four legs and are consummate escape artists-but they are fun). Also now teaching part-time for Point Park University, but taught in the past for Drexel University, CCAC, and Pitt. Other activities include serving as a board of directors as a member and/or officer for various non-profit corporations,; Chairman of the Penn Hills Zoning Hearing Boar !and guest speaker at various conferences when invited.
So given the kids are basically on their own. It is way too early for me to retire in that I would be totally bored....so., to fill my time I am
pursue/maintain various gigs, missions, and teaching Healthcare Administration and Business Law..
...so that's it ..............later d. fitz
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