Morgan Smith
Morgan’s Autobiography (2021)
Westport Early Years
Moved to Westport in 1947, my Dad was an insurance agent, he bought an old run down barn on Red Coat Road and made it into our first home. Neighborhood friends growing up there were Deane Coniff, John Cowden, Gill Pickett, John Parriott, Peter Dublin, Bob Martin, Mitchel Seltzer and my first best buddy Beau James! Lots of backwoods adventures, skating on ponds, breakfast at the beach, walks to the country store on Wilton Road and great Halloweens.
Elementary School Years
Began at Bedford Elementary downtown, Kenny Gardner was my most memorable friend there. Played hooky a few times with Gill Pickett, always got caught and ended up in principal’s office
After 4th grade, went to Coleytown Elem. for 5th and 6th grades. Brand new school. Some great names, Top Little, Jimmy Horelick, Ralph Garside. Mrs James 5th grade teacher.
In 6th grade somehow they elected me president of Mr Amundsen’s class. That class was fun! Included Lynn Zimmerman, Kathy Wenning, Margaret Parker, Dana Hinn and that was the year of the first Coleytown Capers in which my dad participated on stage. It was a musical about the Westport commuter men, of which there were so many. The end of year (1955) class party was at our house.
Junior High
The start of 7th grade coincided with a family move to 57 Ludlow Rd. This was not far from downtown and so the new school for me was Bedford Junior High. This meant starting all over meeting friends, since most of my Coleytown classmates went to Long Lots. At Bedford I met Jay Weppler and many other new kids including Peter Kelman. Bedford days included after school hanging out at Colgan’s pharmacy soda counter, fun at JoAnn Shevelsens pool on Old Hill Rd and getting kicked out of class by Mr Diamond. AND a high point, dancing in Marion Digisi’s class when she brought her 45 to class and played Tutti Frutti for us. Many books got nailed to tables in Mr Katona’s shop class on the basement level, banging on radiator pipes also during his class could be heard through the building. I think he was locked in the paint room a couple of times also.
Interim
After completing 9th grade, I began a year at prep (boarding ) school. Wooster School in Danbury, near the Old Danbury fairgrounds. My acceptance was conditional upon entry at the 3rd form level (9th grade). This resulted in my entering Staples in the class of 1962 in 10 grade.
Staples
Staples 10 -12 went by pretty quickly. During those years we moved again to a home we built of Nash’s Pond. We had a rope that you could swing out into the
pond, lots of fun with friends back there. Jimmy Cuseo, Jerry Crosby, Michael Douglas, Bob Meddick, Freddy Fable, Andy Willhauer and many others of the Red Jacketed Downshifters. Scuba diving, Ice Hockey and anything to do with boats were big interests. When I was 16 Jerry C, Jimmy C, Jerry’s cousin and I trailed an old boat and an older trailer down to Marco Island Florida for Christmas vacation. Amazingly uneventful.
College and Military
University of Arizona, graduated in1966 and Vietnam was looming. Entered Air Force Pilot training at Craig AFB class 68G, continued flying for the USAF until May 1972. Vietnam tour of duty as a forward air control pilot (FAC) 5/69-5/70.
Delta Air Lines & Family
Delta Pilot 1972-2001. Mostly living in NH and Park City UT after 1988 Delta/Western merger. My family now consists of my wife Jodi, 6 children, and 12 grandchildren.Two of my kids are living far away, one in Budapest & the other in Shanghai. Lived in New London NH, Park City UT, Twisp WA , Mesquite, NV and now year round in Boise ID
Retirement
Tennis, Music and Flying are the activities I am still heavily involved in. I’ve played in a number of bands and also done some community theatre. Been to two Staples reunions, one for class of ‘62 at Longshore in 1988, the other at Beau James’ with the class of 61’. Hope to connect with many of you If I am able to participate in the coming virtual get together, wish you all the best health and happiness. Let me know if you are ever out my way.