First-year students in Assumption University’s class of 2023 in conjunction with the College’s Center for Purpose and Vocation created The First Callings Project, an inspirational archive of stories focusing on the journey to finding the meaning and purpose of life. This StoryCorps format gives first-year students an opportunity to look within as they enter into a University where critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship and compassionate service are a part of a student’s daily purpose.
“Assumption is on the brink of many exciting changes from the very recent opening of the Center for Purpose and Vocation, to the opening of the Froelich School of Nursing and the new Schools of Business, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Graduate Studies and Continuing Education,” shared Jenny Morrison, Ph.D., who oversees the first-year class as assistant vice president for academic affairs. “We were excited by the opportunity to have students participate in a StoryCorps-like project where they could interview family members and others who inspire them.”
The University welcomes all students to continue to find inspiration and listen to the audio interviews below.
First Callings Project Interviews
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Sebastiano: What do you do for a living?
Michael: I own a family business with my brother, and we sell retail products, liquor, wine, beer, tobacco, candy, and groceries. Sam D’Angelo Incorporated owns two stores, one called Sam’s Convenience in Chicopee Massachusetts and D’Angelo’s Wine and Spirits in South Windsor Connecticut. We also own a small strip mall called D’Angelo’s LLC in Chicopee and two buildings in South Windsor.
Sebastiano: Is there anything else you wanted to be when growing up?
Michael: I always wanted to own my own business. My father owned his own business and my grandfather owned his own, so I wanted to follow in their footsteps. When I went to college, however, I wanted to become a lawyer. So I started following studies that would’ve brought me towards law school. Unfortunately, that all changed when my father died at my graduation which ended that dream. But I have no regret–I love my job. My job is very challenging at times, but it’s very rewarding being your own boss.
Sebastiano: How much experience do you have in your current job?
Michael: I have a lot of experience in what I do. My brother and I worked for my father since we could walk. I remember my mother would drop us off at his warehouse that he owned while other kids were outside playing. He’d have us do small jobs, and as we got older, do more labor such as stacking boxes, and stocking the shelves. I remember I would stamp cigarettes with my uncle and grandfather when he was a wholesaler. My father then bought the liquor store when I was around 18 years old. Pretty much I know no other lifestyle than working with my family.
Sebastiano: What life lessons has your work life taught you?
Michael: My life lessons are I believe you can achieve anything if you work hard enough towards that goal. You should have a clear head, meaning you should focus on that goal–do not drink or smoke. I’m not saying that I was an altar boy, but my work has taught me that if you’re not willing to sacrifice your own self you’re never going to make it. My father always told me, “I don’t care if you are a street sweeper, as long as you do it the best of your ability, then I’m proud of you.”
Sebastiano: Do you have any favorite memories from your job?
Michael: I just turned 50 years old, and we’ve owned this store [D’Angelo Wine and Spirits] for 30 years. I could literally write a book. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I remember my brother and I would be in college and would could go back to work on weekends when soccer season was over. My father had a deal with us: we had to work every weekend. My father began to become weaker, but my brother and I had no idea while we were working on those weekends spending time with him. I remember he’d have my little cousin Christopher who was in middle school under his wing while we were gone. Tony (my brother) and I would tease Chris because my father and him would have matching hats. We weren’t jealous or anything, just teasing him saying things such as “oh are you taking over the store now?” or calling him the “favorite one.” Another story was after my father passed and after we graduated college, we drove down to South Windsor during a blizzard and we had no business being on the road and no business at the store. What we ended up doing was using our basketball displays at the store and playing basketball and soccer. It was just an amazing bonding experience with my brother.
Sebastiano: What does this job mean to you?
Michael: As my kids started getting older, we always had them down there so they know all the customers. I’d bring my dog down. It’s a real family business. Now I am 50 years old, and I have my niece and nephew and my two older kids down, which makes it so nice. My father would be so proud to see his grandkids work at the store.
Sebastiano: When do you think you will retire?
Michael: I will retire the day that I die, no question about it. Someone will have to open the store the day that happens.
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Kelsey: Was this what you pictured your life to be? Did you always know that you wanted to save people’s lives?
Lisa: No, actually I didn’t. I didn’t until I started working as an EMT and realized that I was good at it and it was something that I could do. Like I wanted to do something, but I couldn’t be a cop. Oh God, no. I don’t have the tolerance for people, and I ran out of a burning building when I was 12, so a fireman was out. So I was like, oh, you know what, this is it, this seems like a good job, and that’s where it all started.
Kelsey: What made you realize that this was your calling in, that you were meant to do this?
Lisa: Like I said, I don’t think that I picked the job. I think it picked me and I could do it. A lot of people can’t do my job. There’s a job for everyone; being a cop is not mine, being a fireman is not mine, but this one is. I’ve always helped people, so it just seemed natural for me. I never had a clear idea of what I wanted to be. I was just kinda led down a path that kind of led to that, and then it was a way to support my family and I had no reason to not continue with it.
Kelsey: What is the most rewarding part about what you do?
Lisa: You know, a lot of times it’s a thankless job, but I work in a community where there’s a lot of elderly people and sometimes I am the only person between them and medical care. Whether it’s just holding someone’s hand, or giving them advice, or turning off their lights for them or they can’t, you know, they can’t get to the refrigerator to get a drink and making sure that everything is okay with them. They’re very appreciative of the help that they get. Some of these people don’t have family, don’t have family that are close to them that can help them, and you know, they’re scared. I show up and, everything seems better to them. They’re not afraid because I’m there to help them, and I, I know what they need. I know where to get resources to help them and, they’re thankful for that. They appreciate it.
The most rewarding is if I’m out shopping, because I do shop in the community that I work predominantly in, so shopping in my community I frequently have people that will come up to me and say, “Oh, I remember you,” “You were so sweet” and “I’m so glad that you were there for me,” or “you helped my mom” or “do you remember coming to my house? My son fell down the stairs and you were so great to him and I can’t thank you enough.”
I have one gentleman in particular who’s young. He had a sudden cardiac arrest and I got him back [heart beating again] and transported into the hospital. He went to the cath lab. He had had a heart attack and three days later he was discharged from the hospital. That was about five or six years ago now. I’ll be in a store and he’ll walk up behind me, he’ll put his arm around me, and he’ll go, “Good morning, Guardian Angel” and I’ll turn around and see him. It’s nice to know that his family still has him there. His daughters, they’re not young, they were high school, college aged girls when this happened, but he has a family. I mean everybody has a family, but there were young kids and he was a young man who just had an unfortunate circumstance. So it’s, it’s pretty rewarding when somebody just randomly comes up to you and recognizes who you are and, what you did for them.
Kelsey: Have you ever had a call that was so terrible you wanted to quit?
Lisa: I had a lot of bad calls over the years. It happens though, you know, and I have a theory and I share it with other providers that are new when they ask me about things like that. I say to them, “Listen, when you have a call like that, you can’t, you can’t focus on what’s going on around you. You have to focus on your job at hand.” The only way to put this in perspective is, children are the worst, children, children’s death and trauma. Tragedies are the worst that you could possibly deal with in this job; and there was always something about a call that can relate to your family.
The very first child death that I had, she drowned, and it took about thirty minutes for them to find her in the water. They were in a non-swimming area and she went in, there was like a crevice or something and the water dropped down really far there, and they never saw her go in. It was like a grid search with the police and fire and a police officer had found her and pulled her out. She was the same age as one of my daughters at the time, so I could’ve focused on that, but I don’t. When I’m working with someone like that, I don’t see them as a person. And it sounds kind of odd, but I don’t see them as a person. I see them as a task that I have to do, and I focus on that task because I am the only person there that can do anything to at least give them a chance to either be brought back or to be stabilized enough to get to a hospital. If I lose my sense of composure or have emotional feelings about it and can’t go on, then that patient, person, or scene doesn’t function and I’m the only one there that can do all those things. I have a partner with me that, but they’re not trained at my level of ability to do certain things that are going to be the lifesaver. So those are the hard ones. Those–they stick with you. I can still see her face. It’s been 20 years since that drowning happened, and I can still see this little girl’s face, but I can’t, I can’t let it consume me or haunt every day. I put it in a box, and I put a lid on it, I put it on the shelf, and I leave it there. And if I draw back to it, like right now, I can remember the events that happened leading up to it, the things that happened in the car while we were trying to help her and bring her back. I can remember the sounds in the hospital of when her mother showed up and was screaming so loud that you could hear her anywhere you were, and it affects you. You wouldn’t be human if it didn’t affect you, but when I’m done with that, I put it back in the box, put the lid back on it and put it on a shelf because I can’t, I can’t let that affect my daily life. I can’t let that affect how I do my job. I do my job the same way every time. I try to keep the personal and emotional aspect away from it because it will interfere with your job. I’m an emotional person. I’m a crier. I’m a sympathy crier. Any bad call I’ve ever had like that, I’ve cried when I’ve finished it. I’ve called my children, my loved ones and told them how much I love them, but I can’t focus on that one.
I’m doing the call because I’m the only person there, and if I leave, my thought is, if I’ve stopped doing this because it’s too hard, then who’s going to be there? And yes, maybe there will be somebody else to take my place, but while I’m still able to be physically and mentally capable of doing my job, if I left to go do something else who’s going to be there for these people, for the little girl who drowned in the lake or the little girl whose family neglected her for days until she was so sick that she died and waited til the last minute to call me and the outcome didn’t happen, or somebody’s grandmother who has been laying on the floor for three days and was nurtured back to health over an extended period of time. Who’s going to be able to help, who’s going to be the one that’s there for them in their time of need, their hour of need? And I don’t even mean just critical. Anytime somebody calls nine-one-one, it’s not necessarily what I consider an emergency, it’s their emergency. It’s their personal crisis of whatever going on may seem trivial to me, but to them they’re calling nine-one-one because they’re panicked, something’s wrong and they don’t know what to do. It could be something very simple that’s routine for me, but to them it’s like a major event in their life and I’m that lifeline between their event and a hospital. So it could just be holding some little old lady’s hand, it could be trying to revive your child, father, brother, sister, loved one, it could be a horrid motor vehicle crash that someone needs to get into surgery to fix or repair whatever is done. I just feel like if, if I’m not at work doing what I do, then who’s going to be there for them in their hour of need?
Kelsey: I think what you do makes you an angel on this earth. Thank you for this interview.
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Markkie: The first question of our interview is what did you want to be when you grew up?
Mark: At the age of 17 was probably the first time that I realized what I wanted to do, maybe a little bit before, which was be a soldier. So I enlisted in the Army when I graduated from high school and started my career in the Army at age 17.
Markkie: How did you get into your line of work?
Mark: After I got out of the service, I worked in the prison system for a little while and got involved with Civil Service and had some interactions with fire departments coming in out of the prisons and just realized that was more geared to what I wanted to do with my life.
Markkie: If you could do it all over again, would you change your occupation?
Mark: No. I’m very happy with what I do I think I have one of the best jobs in the world that I still love coming to work every day.
Markkie: If you could have any occupation now, what would it be?
Mark: I’m happy right where I am. I can’t think of anything else that I would rather be I think I was meant to do this. I’ve been here for 23 years I couldn’t imagine doing anything but this.
Markkie: What life lessons has your work taught you?
Mark: That life is very short. Not everything goes as planned, at all, you have to adapt to the circumstances and cherish every moment that you’re alive cuz you never know what’s around the next corner. And life is very fragile, so enjoy yourself, and be smart, and be nice to people.
Markkie: What is your favorite or most rewarding memory in relation to your job?
Mark: I think every time we save a life and you have a family that gets to stay together, and spend more time with each other, that’s one of the most rewarding things or gifts that I think I could have ever given to anybody. And I wouldn’t have been able to do that without working here for the fire department and the opportunities that came across. I’m fortunate to have opportunities to be put in that situation.
Markkie: Has your life been different than what you imagined it to be? And if so, how?
Mark: Yes. I think in my short 48 years I didn’t expect that I would have gone through so many experiences that I’ve gone through, whether through the military or through the fire department. I’ve had a lot of losses in my life, but I’ve also had a lot of great things that have happened to me; never thought I would have had 3 kids and be sending one to college! But that’s happening right now, and it happened much faster than I could have dreamed it could possibly happen.
Markkie: Do you have any regrets?
Mark: No. Regrets, no. Wishes, maybe. Maybe I wished I did different things, maybe change things, but I have no regrets on anything that I did. I could not be happier with my family, I couldn’t be happier with my job, so I think I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Markkie: What are you proudest of in your life?
Mark: My family. Without question, undoubtedly.
Markkie: How would you like to be remembered?
Mark: Good father, good husband, good provider; someone that just pretty much tried to help people out as best I could; not a scary person that everyone seems to be afraid of. As far as I’m concerned, a loving husband and a good father. I did what I’m supposed to be doing.
Markkie: Are there any words of wisdom you’d like to pass along to someone starting in this line of duty?
Mark: Cherish every minute, I’ve already said it. This goes by so fast. I’ve been here 23 years; already I feel like I just walked in the doors two years ago. Before you know it, before I knew it, my kids were grown up, leaving the nest–one leaving the house already. My career is about five more years, and I’ll be retiring, and I feel like I just walked in the door. So, cherish every minute of it, it’s the best job in the world. Don’t be a complainer, complaining doesn’t do anything. Be a fixer. Try to help everybody out as best you can.
Markkie: What occupation did you think I would try to obtain when I was growing up?
Mark: You? I thought for some reason you would really be into like athletic sports trainer or something along those lines. Just cuz you were a natural athlete growing up. You were amazingly strong when you were a baby and the things that we used to do with you; I don’t know they’d probably put me in jail nowadays. We used to wrestle, and you were strong, you used to amaze people how strong you were as a baby. Walking at seven and a half months so I don’t know, I just thought you would do something with, I always thought maybe you’d be doing something with some sport which ended up to turn out to be a fantastic athlete.
Markkie: Is there a specific job you would want me to obtain now?
Mark: No, there is no specific job I want you to obtain. I want you to be happy. If you’re happy then your life is complete. What you have to find out is what makes you happy. You have to find out what’s going to keep you going. If you’re not happy, you can’t make people around you happy. Money has no relevance. So there’s no job that is going to make you happy cuz it pays a lot of money. Just enjoy whatever it is you do. If you are enjoying what you’re doing and you love doing it everyday, then you’re going to be happy and you’ll find happiness and you’ll make people around you happy.
Markkie: Can you recall a specific moment during your job where you realized this is why you do what you do?
Mark: Yeah, I think that everything that led me to being here, my time in the military, I think just helping people. I’ve helped people at calls, and I’ve helped out another firefighter that was in a lot of trouble at fire, and got him to safety, and everything turned out great. I could remember thinking that–how great it was that I was able to be in a position to help him.
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Matt: Today I chose to interview you, Mom, because you have always been a positive influence and a role model to me throughout my life. I have seen you persevere through the hardest moments in life and turn negative situations into positive ones. I brought you here today to talk about your story of running and how it impacted your life. I want to discuss how you used it as an outlet, to not only get through hard times, but to do something incredible. What was the happiest moment of your life? What was the saddest?
Joanne: I would say the happiest moment was the birth of you and your sister, Sara. The saddest I would say, is when I left your father and moved us out of the family home to start a new beginning.
Matt: What are you most proud of in life?
Joanne: I would say I am the proudest of you and your sister Sara. All that you have overcome in just the 18 years of your life. How hard you work and how you persevere through obstacles you face. And the type of caring, loving, kind people you have turned into.
Matt: Do you have any words of wisdom you would like to pass along to me?
Joanne: This could take a while; I have a lot to say. I probably have said this to you a million times, but be a leader, not a follower. Believe in yourself. Look fear in the eyes and persevere through it. The only way you are going to grow in life is if you push yourself out of your comfort zone. Also, that, you have a lot of gifts that are given to you, people are drawn to you. So use those gifts wisely throughout your life. Every moment before you wake up each day, chose joy, don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler, or better; life is always going to be complicated. Learn to be happy right now, otherwise you will run out of time.
Matt: How was your life different than you imagined?
Joanne: First of all, I never imagined that your father and I would have gotten a divorce. We were married about 15 years, and it was a difficult decision to make, but it was one that had to happen. It wasn’t easy. I also feel like I have accomplished a lot more physically than I thought I ever could. I was always athletic, but by creating goals I was able to achieve amazing things. I never pictured myself running half marathons, Ragnar’s and marathons. Another thing I didn’t realize as much until I went through difficult times are how important the right people in your life are. Life is lonely and scary without the right people to give you support and lift you up. Like I told you when you were a kid, people come into your life for different reasons, seasons and lifetimes. I have experienced it myself; you may not realize that they are only in your life for a reason now. But I truly believe that people are put into your life when you need them the most.
Matt: What were the hardest moments you had growing up and how did you overcome these obstacles?
Joanne: My parents got divorced when I was 8, actually the same age I got divorced from your father, which is strange. One of my parents, however, was a very serious alcoholic, and I ended up having to endure physical and emotional abuse for many, many years. I pushed through every day, not really sure how, something innate inside me kept me putting one foot in front of the other every day. I knew that I had to graduate from high school and go to college, but I never knew what would come after that. I think it was my dedication to myself to become a better person than my parents could be, because I saw them struggling, and I didn’t want to be like them. I think that is what motivated me to overcome that and push through.
Matt: Once you and Dad got divorced, I noticed this new tendency of yours. You were like a hamster, you would go on the treadmill and run for hours, go outside and run for hours. What about running did you fall in love with?
Joanne: If you ask any runner there is that runner’s high that you get after any run. Running really was an escape for me, it allowed me to be out in the elements, feel the wind against my face, and the sun on my skin. It helped me push the noise away. The noise from life, stress, chaos, it was just me and the concrete. It allowed me to free my mind from stress and come up with ideas for work and for life. When your mind is free from all this noise–it is awesome to allow your mind to be creative. As I continued to run, my body got stronger, my head got stronger, and mind got stronger, it pushed me to further my commitment to running and push myself even further.
Matt: So, once you found this new “calling” of yours, you decided to run a marathon. Walk me through the process of deciding to do such a crazy thing.
Joanne: Well once I had started running, I signed up for my first 5K. I finished that and was so pumped and excited, so I ran a bunch of other 5K’s and then decided to push myself even more and run some 10K’s, then I decided to run a half marathon. Once I finished the half marathon, I thought, if I can do a bunch of 5K’s, 10k’s, and a half marathon, why not do a full marathon? So, I had only been running probably less than a year, when I decided to do the marathon. I signed up for a marathon in May leaving me only seven months to train. During that time, I had an awful lot going on in my life.
Matt: Going off of what you just said there, what obstacles did you run into?
Joanne: Well, first of all, my family and friends thought I was crazy, because no one in my group of friends or family were runners, so nobody thought I would be able to run a marathon. But, I was also basically single-handedly raising you and your sister, working a full-time, stressful, high-level job, while taking you to all your activities, while building a house to live in, in the same town, so that you could go to the same school and keep the same friends, so your life would not be disrupted.
Matt: With all that said, how did you juggle being a mother, working a full-time job, and training for a marathon?
Joanne: Looking back, I honestly don’t know if I could do it again. But I was just so committed to pushing myself and doing the marathon, to prove to myself, and the naysayers in my life that I could do it. Anytime you would visit your father I would run, anytime I wasn’t working, or with you and your sister, I was running. I trained through the winter, so some of the training was on treadmills for hours. One time I was at a 24-hour gym. I was doing a 18-20-mile run, I was on it for so long at 10 o’clock they kicked me out. I remember telling the employee, “What are you talking about? You claim it is a 24-hour gym!” But it shows if you put your mind to it and put in the work, you can do anything you imagine.
Matt: So, after all the hard work and training, and obstacles, race day is here, what was it like on race day?
Joanne: So, my philosophy was that I was going to train, but not over train, and go in healthy rather than hurt. I was healthy but frightened out of my mind. We were at the line, and I looked at my friend who was running it with me and I thought to myself, we don’t belong here, there were people around in better physical shape and have done marathons before. I felt like such a newbie and not worthy. So, I stopped and told myself I put a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears into this, you deserve to be here and you can do this. The gun went off, and I started running.
Matt: So, as you are running, you know you run the first couple miles, get to 5, get to 10, the hit the half marathon length. What kept you motivated during this process?
Joanne: Well, I remember at the 13.2 mark I was like okay that wasn’t too bad, but then I realized I have to run another 13.2 miles. So, I ate half a banana, and I said I’m in it for the long run, I’m not gonna let myself down. I’m going to finish this race no matter what. I thought of you and Sara, and how I wanted to show you guys that you can do whatever you put your mind to. If you are dedicated and put in the hard work regardless of what people say, you can accomplish it. I remember all the people who told me I couldn’t run a marathon, couldn’t get a divorce, couldn’t build a house. But I proved them all wrong, stayed strong and dedicated and persevered through everything life has thrown my way.
Matt: What was it like to cross the finish line?
Joanne: I was completely exhausted but euphoric that I finally did it, and that all the hard work I put in was worth it. It really made me stop and pause and think you can really accomplish your goals when you put your mind to it. Don’t let other people or obstacles get in your way of completing what you want to do.
Matt: Why would you say that running was your “calling”?
Joanne: Running has really been my sanctuary, away from the stresses and chaos of life. If I didn’t have running, I don’t know if I would be able to have accomplished all I have in my life or even be as good of a mom, worker, or person, as I hope I have been. I think everyone has something in their life, for me, it’s running. For me, when I’m down, instead of doing negative things, running is my go-to. I’m so thankful that I can still run, I’ve had bumps and bruises, my knees are not as young as they used to be, but I hope I can still run for many years to come.
Matt: Thank you so much for sitting with me today and telling me your story. It is so inspiring to have watched you, as a young kid. You are my role model and took a negative situation and turned it positive instead of being a victim. You have found an outlet and went far beyond what you ever thought was possible. I’m so thankful to have you in my life, and I love you so much. I really hope one day I can run a marathon just for you.
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Mary Gillette: To start off our interview, I was just curious as to how your childhood helped shape you into the person you are today, and ultimately into finding your calling, because I know you and I have had very different experiences growing up.
Cora Gillette: Yes, we had similar but different experiences. My parents were immigrants, from Ireland, and there were five children in my family. I had a brother who passed away at birth.
Mary Gillette: And what do you think that was like for your family?
Cora Gillette: So I’m considered a rainbow child, the child born after a child passed away, so my mother was very happy after I was born. But I think it was a sadness that was always there. My father was drafted when he first came to the United States. He was 23, and he ended up loving it here because you can make so much of yourself. Both my parents came here with nothing, and they raised five, college-educated children.
Mary Gillette: What do you think your parents pushed for you and your siblings?
Cora Gillette: Well, my mother, who didn’t work until we were older, really wanted all of us, my brother and my sisters, to get an education so we could support ourselves and live fulfilled lives.
Mary Gillette: What do you think the happiest, and the saddest moments in your life were?
Cora Gillette: Well, the happiest day was the day you were born, Mary. That was the happiest day of my life. You were talking about callings, and I was telling you earlier I feel that my true calling was to be a mother. And I love being a mother to you and your brother. The saddest day of my life was when my dad passed away. That was hard.
Mary Gillette: The next question I would like to ask is: who do you think the most important person in your life has been and can you tell me about them?
Cora Gillette: That would be my mom. She was very inspirational and wanted the best for all of us, and I love her very much. I feel very blessed to have my mother as a role model.
Mary Gillette: Now I’m going to move on a little to your work life. What do you do for a living? And ultimately do you like your job?
Cora Gillette: I do like my job. I’m a bank examiner for the State of Connecticut, and I’m a principal financial examiner. I’ve been doing it for over 30 years. I got a job with the state immediately after I received my Bachelor’s Degree, and I am fulfilled in what I do.
Mary Gillette: How did you end up choosing your job? And what are some lessons your work life has personally taught you?
Cora Gillette: My mother pushed us to get degrees in fields where you would be employed. My sisters have business degrees, and my brother is an engineer. I’m very glad about that, I don’t know if I would have done it myself, but it’s a very good job. I was a Finance undergrad and have a Master’s in Business Administration. I’m very happy with what I do, it’s business. Some parts of it I don’t like–I think that’s how it is with everything–but you persevere with your career. They have ups and downs, and as long as you know that, it will be fine. I’ve had the same job for 30 years, with a lot of the same people. There’s pluses and minuses.
Mary Gillette: Okay, so the next question is what are you proudest of in your life?
Cora Gillette: My family, my children. I think it’s wonderful to have a family, and I love your father very much. I think the two of us together have raised great kids, and that is what I’m most proud of: my family. And my faith–it gets you through life’s ups and downs.
Mary Gillette: The last question I have for you is are you happy? And do you think that someone’s calling has to pertain to their job?
Cora Gillette: I think we all have callings, but I don’t think someone as a kid thinks to themselves, “Oh, I want to be a bank examiner!” They say, “I want to be an astronaut!” I do feel that through whatever profession you have, whatever you do, if you try to be a person with character and show respect for people, whatever position you have, is great. I think it is so important to respect each other and to respect professions that people have, because we all have different ways to go in life, and I think we should all try our best to love each other and be respectful, and nice to each other in whatever profession we have.
Mary Gillette: Thank you so much for the interview.
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Sebastiano: What do you do for a living?
Michael: I own a family business with my brother, and we sell retail products, liquor, wine, beer, tobacco, candy, and groceries. Sam D’Angelo Incorporated owns two stores, one called Sam’s Convenience in Chicopee Massachusetts and D’Angelo’s Wine and Spirits in South Windsor Connecticut. We also own a small strip mall called D’Angelo’s LLC in Chicopee and two buildings in South Windsor.
Sebastiano: Is there anything else you wanted to be when growing up?
Michael: I always wanted to own my own business. My father owned his own business and my grandfather owned his own, so I wanted to follow in their footsteps. When I went to college, however, I wanted to become a lawyer. So I started following studies that would’ve brought me towards law school. Unfortunately, that all changed when my father died at my graduation which ended that dream. But I have no regret–I love my job. My job is very challenging at times, but it’s very rewarding being your own boss.
Sebastiano: How much experience do you have in your current job?
Michael: I have a lot of experience in what I do. My brother and I worked for my father since we could walk. I remember my mother would drop us off at his warehouse that he owned while other kids were outside playing. He’d have us do small jobs, and as we got older, do more labor such as stacking boxes, and stocking the shelves. I remember I would stamp cigarettes with my uncle and grandfather when he was a wholesaler. My father then bought the liquor store when I was around 18 years old. Pretty much I know no other life style than working with my family.
Sebastiano: What life lessons has your work life taught you?
Michael: My life lessons are I believe you can achieve anything if you work hard enough towards that goal. You should have a clear head, meaning you should focus on that goal–do not drink or smoke. I’m not saying that I was an altar boy, but my work has taught me that if you’re not willing to sacrifice your own self you’re never going to make it. My father always told me, “I don’t care if you are a street sweeper, as long as you do it the best of your ability, then I’m proud of you.”
Sebastiano: Do you have any favorite memories from your job?
Michael: I just turned 50 years old, and we’ve owned this store [D’Angelo Wine and Spirits] for 30 years. I could literally write a book. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I remember my brother and I would be in college and would could go back to work on weekends when soccer season was over. My father had a deal with us: we had to work every weekend. My father began to become weaker, but my brother and I had no idea while we were working on those weekends spending time with him. I remember he’d have my little cousin Christopher who was in middle school under his wing while we were gone. Tony (my brother) and I would tease Chris because my father and him would have matching hats. We weren’t jealous or anything, just teasing him saying things such as “oh are you taking over the store now?” or calling him the “favorite one.” Another story was after my father passed and after we graduated college, we drove down to South Windsor during a blizzard and we had no business being on the road and no business at the store. What we ended up doing was using our basketball displays at the store and playing basketball and soccer. It was just an amazing bonding experience with my brother.
Sebastiano: What does this job mean to you?
Michael: As my kids started getting older, we always had them down there so they know all the customers. I’d bring my dog down. It’s a real family business. Now I am 50 years old, and I have my niece and nephew and my two older kids down, which makes it so nice. My father would be so proud to see his grandkids work at the store.
Sebastiano: When do you think you will retire?
Michael: I will retire the day that I die, no question about it. Someone will have to open the store the day that happens.
Sebastiano: What do you do for a living?
Michael: I own a family business with my brother, and we sell retail products, liquor, wine, beer, tobacco, candy, and groceries. Sam D’Angelo Incorporated owns two stores, one called Sam’s Convenience in Chicopee Massachusetts and D’Angelo’s Wine and Spirits in South Windsor Connecticut. We also own a small strip mall called D’Angelo’s LLC in Chicopee and two buildings in South Windsor.
Sebastiano: Is there anything else you wanted to be when growing up?
Michael: I always wanted to own my own business. My father owned his own business and my grandfather owned his own, so I wanted to follow in their footsteps. When I went to college, however, I wanted to become a lawyer. So I started following studies that would’ve brought me towards law school. Unfortunately, that all changed when my father died at my graduation which ended that dream. But I have no regret–I love my job. My job is very challenging at times, but it’s very rewarding being your own boss.
Sebastiano: How much experience do you have in your current job?
Michael: I have a lot of experience in what I do. My brother and I worked for my father since we could walk. I remember my mother would drop us off at his warehouse that he owned while other kids were outside playing. He’d have us do small jobs, and as we got older, do more labor such as stacking boxes, and stocking the shelves. I remember I would stamp cigarettes with my uncle and grandfather when he was a wholesaler. My father then bought the liquor store when I was around 18 years old. Pretty much I know no other lifestyle than working with my family.
Sebastiano: What life lessons has your work life taught you?
Michael: My life lessons are I believe you can achieve anything if you work hard enough towards that goal. You should have a clear head, meaning you should focus on that goal–do not drink or smoke. I’m not saying that I was an altar boy, but my work has taught me that if you’re not willing to sacrifice your own self you’re never going to make it. My father always told me, “I don’t care if you are a street sweeper, as long as you do it the best of your ability, then I’m proud of you.”
Sebastiano: Do you have any favorite memories from your job?
Michael: I just turned 50 years old, and we’ve owned this store [D’Angelo Wine and Spirits] for 30 years. I could literally write a book. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I remember my brother and I would be in college and would could go back to work on weekends when soccer season was over. My father had a deal with us: we had to work every weekend. My father began to become weaker, but my brother and I had no idea while we were working on those weekends spending time with him. I remember he’d have my little cousin Christopher who was in middle school under his wing while we were gone. Tony (my brother) and I would tease Chris because my father and him would have matching hats. We weren’t jealous or anything, just teasing him saying things such as “oh are you taking over the store now?” or calling him the “favorite one.” Another story was after my father passed and after we graduated college, we drove down to South Windsor during a blizzard and we had no business being on the road and no business at the store. What we ended up doing was using our basketball displays at the store and playing basketball and soccer. It was just an amazing bonding experience with my brother.
Sebastiano: What does this job mean to you?
Michael: As my kids started getting older, we always had them down there so they know all the customers. I’d bring my dog down. It’s a real family business. Now I am 50 years old, and I have my niece and nephew and my two older kids down, which makes it so nice. My father would be so proud to see his grandkids work at the store.
Sebastiano: When do you think you will retire?
Michael: I will retire the day that I die, no question about it. Someone will have to open the store the day that happens.
Kelsey: Was this what you pictured your life to be? Did you always know that you wanted to save people’s lives?
Lisa: No, actually I didn’t. I didn’t until I started working as an EMT and realized that I was good at it and it was something that I could do. Like I wanted to do something, but I couldn’t be a cop. Oh God, no. I don’t have the tolerance for people, and I ran out of a burning building when I was 12, so a fireman was out. So I was like, oh, you know what, this is it, this seems like a good job, and that’s where it all started.
Kelsey: What made you realize that this was your calling in, that you were meant to do this?
Lisa: Like I said, I don’t think that I picked the job. I think it picked me and I could do it. A lot of people can’t do my job. There’s a job for everyone; being a cop is not mine, being a fireman is not mine, but this one is. I’ve always helped people, so it just seemed natural for me. I never had a clear idea of what I wanted to be. I was just kinda led down a path that kind of led to that, and then it was a way to support my family and I had no reason to not continue with it.
Kelsey: What is the most rewarding part about what you do?
Lisa: You know, a lot of times it’s a thankless job, but I work in a community where there’s a lot of elderly people and sometimes I am the only person between them and medical care. Whether it’s just holding someone’s hand, or giving them advice, or turning off their lights for them or they can’t, you know, they can’t get to the refrigerator to get a drink and making sure that everything is okay with them. They’re very appreciative of the help that they get. Some of these people don’t have family, don’t have family that are close to them that can help them, and you know, they’re scared. I show up and, everything seems better to them. They’re not afraid because I’m there to help them, and I, I know what they need. I know where to get resources to help them and, they’re thankful for that. They appreciate it.
The most rewarding is if I’m out shopping, because I do shop in the community that I work predominantly in, so shopping in my community I frequently have people that will come up to me and say, “Oh, I remember you,” “You were so sweet” and “I’m so glad that you were there for me,” or “you helped my mom” or “do you remember coming to my house? My son fell down the stairs and you were so great to him and I can’t thank you enough.”
I have one gentleman in particular who’s young. He had a sudden cardiac arrest and I got him back [heart beating again] and transported into the hospital. He went to the cath lab. He had had a heart attack and three days later he was discharged from the hospital. That was about five or six years ago now. I’ll be in a store and he’ll walk up behind me, he’ll put his arm around me, and he’ll go, “Good morning, Guardian Angel” and I’ll turn around and see him. It’s nice to know that his family still has him there. His daughters, they’re not young, they were high school, college aged girls when this happened, but he has a family. I mean everybody has a family, but there were young kids and he was a young man who just had an unfortunate circumstance. So it’s, it’s pretty rewarding when somebody just randomly comes up to you and recognizes who you are and, what you did for them.
Kelsey: Have you ever had a call that was so terrible you wanted to quit?
Lisa: I had a lot of bad calls over the years. It happens though, you know, and I have a theory and I share it with other providers that are new when they ask me about things like that. I say to them, “Listen, when you have a call like that, you can’t, you can’t focus on what’s going on around you. You have to focus on your job at hand.” The only way to put this in perspective is, children are the worst, children, children’s death and trauma. Tragedies are the worst that you could possibly deal with in this job; and there was always something about a call that can relate to your family.
The very first child death that I had, she drowned, and it took about thirty minutes for them to find her in the water. They were in a non-swimming area and she went in, there was like a crevice or something and the water dropped down really far there, and they never saw her go in. It was like a grid search with the police and fire and a police officer had found her and pulled her out. She was the same age as one of my daughters at the time, so I could’ve focused on that, but I don’t. When I’m working with someone like that, I don’t see them as a person. And it sounds kind of odd, but I don’t see them as a person. I see them as a task that I have to do, and I focus on that task because I am the only person there that can do anything to at least give them a chance to either be brought back or to be stabilized enough to get to a hospital. If I lose my sense of composure or have emotional feelings about it and can’t go on, then that patient, person, or scene doesn’t function and I’m the only one there that can do all those things. I have a partner with me that, but they’re not trained at my level of ability to do certain things that are going to be the lifesaver. So those are the hard ones. Those–they stick with you. I can still see her face. It’s been 20 years since that drowning happened, and I can still see this little girl’s face, but I can’t, I can’t let it consume me or haunt every day. I put it in a box, and I put a lid on it, I put it on the shelf, and I leave it there. And if I draw back to it, like right now, I can remember the events that happened leading up to it, the things that happened in the car while we were trying to help her and bring her back. I can remember the sounds in the hospital of when her mother showed up and was screaming so loud that you could hear her anywhere you were, and it affects you. You wouldn’t be human if it didn’t affect you, but when I’m done with that, I put it back in the box, put the lid back on it and put it on a shelf because I can’t, I can’t let that affect my daily life. I can’t let that affect how I do my job. I do my job the same way every time. I try to keep the personal and emotional aspect away from it because it will interfere with your job. I’m an emotional person. I’m a crier. I’m a sympathy crier. Any bad call I’ve ever had like that, I’ve cried when I’ve finished it. I’ve called my children, my loved ones and told them how much I love them, but I can’t focus on that one.
I’m doing the call because I’m the only person there, and if I leave, my thought is, if I’ve stopped doing this because it’s too hard, then who’s going to be there? And yes, maybe there will be somebody else to take my place, but while I’m still able to be physically and mentally capable of doing my job, if I left to go do something else who’s going to be there for these people, for the little girl who drowned in the lake or the little girl whose family neglected her for days until she was so sick that she died and waited til the last minute to call me and the outcome didn’t happen, or somebody’s grandmother who has been laying on the floor for three days and was nurtured back to health over an extended period of time. Who’s going to be able to help, who’s going to be the one that’s there for them in their time of need, their hour of need? And I don’t even mean just critical. Anytime somebody calls nine-one-one, it’s not necessarily what I consider an emergency, it’s their emergency. It’s their personal crisis of whatever going on may seem trivial to me, but to them they’re calling nine-one-one because they’re panicked, something’s wrong and they don’t know what to do. It could be something very simple that’s routine for me, but to them it’s like a major event in their life and I’m that lifeline between their event and a hospital. So it could just be holding some little old lady’s hand, it could be trying to revive your child, father, brother, sister, loved one, it could be a horrid motor vehicle crash that someone needs to get into surgery to fix or repair whatever is done. I just feel like if, if I’m not at work doing what I do, then who’s going to be there for them in their hour of need?
Kelsey: I think what you do makes you an angel on this earth. Thank you for this interview.
Markkie: The first question of our interview is what did you want to be when you grew up?
Mark: At the age of 17 was probably the first time that I realized what I wanted to do, maybe a little bit before, which was be a soldier. So I enlisted in the Army when I graduated from high school and started my career in the Army at age 17.
Markkie: How did you get into your line of work?
Mark: After I got out of the service, I worked in the prison system for a little while and got involved with Civil Service and had some interactions with fire departments coming in out of the prisons and just realized that was more geared to what I wanted to do with my life.
Markkie: If you could do it all over again, would you change your occupation?
Mark: No. I’m very happy with what I do I think I have one of the best jobs in the world that I still love coming to work every day.
Markkie: If you could have any occupation now, what would it be?
Mark: I’m happy right where I am. I can’t think of anything else that I would rather be I think I was meant to do this. I’ve been here for 23 years I couldn’t imagine doing anything but this.
Markkie: What life lessons has your work taught you?
Mark: That life is very short. Not everything goes as planned, at all, you have to adapt to the circumstances and cherish every moment that you’re alive cuz you never know what’s around the next corner. And life is very fragile, so enjoy yourself, and be smart, and be nice to people.
Markkie: What is your favorite or most rewarding memory in relation to your job?
Mark: I think every time we save a life and you have a family that gets to stay together, and spend more time with each other, that’s one of the most rewarding things or gifts that I think I could have ever given to anybody. And I wouldn’t have been able to do that without working here for the fire department and the opportunities that came across. I’m fortunate to have opportunities to be put in that situation.
Markkie: Has your life been different than what you imagined it to be? And if so, how?
Mark: Yes. I think in my short 48 years I didn’t expect that I would have gone through so many experiences that I’ve gone through, whether through the military or through the fire department. I’ve had a lot of losses in my life, but I’ve also had a lot of great things that have happened to me; never thought I would have had 3 kids and be sending one to college! But that’s happening right now, and it happened much faster than I could have dreamed it could possibly happen.
Markkie: Do you have any regrets?
Mark: No. Regrets, no. Wishes, maybe. Maybe I wished I did different things, maybe change things, but I have no regrets on anything that I did. I could not be happier with my family, I couldn’t be happier with my job, so I think I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Markkie: What are you proudest of in your life?
Mark: My family. Without question, undoubtedly.
Markkie: How would you like to be remembered?
Mark: Good father, good husband, good provider; someone that just pretty much tried to help people out as best I could; not a scary person that everyone seems to be afraid of. As far as I’m concerned, a loving husband and a good father. I did what I’m supposed to be doing.
Markkie: Are there any words of wisdom you’d like to pass along to someone starting in this line of duty?
Mark: Cherish every minute, I’ve already said it. This goes by so fast. I’ve been here 23 years; already I feel like I just walked in the doors two years ago. Before you know it, before I knew it, my kids were grown up, leaving the nest–one leaving the house already. My career is about five more years, and I’ll be retiring, and I feel like I just walked in the door. So, cherish every minute of it, it’s the best job in the world. Don’t be a complainer, complaining doesn’t do anything. Be a fixer. Try to help everybody out as best you can.
Markkie: What occupation did you think I would try to obtain when I was growing up?
Mark: You? I thought for some reason you would really be into like athletic sports trainer or something along those lines. Just cuz you were a natural athlete growing up. You were amazingly strong when you were a baby and the things that we used to do with you; I don’t know they’d probably put me in jail nowadays. We used to wrestle, and you were strong, you used to amaze people how strong you were as a baby. Walking at seven and a half months so I don’t know, I just thought you would do something with, I always thought maybe you’d be doing something with some sport which ended up to turn out to be a fantastic athlete.
Markkie: Is there a specific job you would want me to obtain now?
Mark: No, there is no specific job I want you to obtain. I want you to be happy. If you’re happy then your life is complete. What you have to find out is what makes you happy. You have to find out what’s going to keep you going. If you’re not happy, you can’t make people around you happy. Money has no relevance. So there’s no job that is going to make you happy cuz it pays a lot of money. Just enjoy whatever it is you do. If you are enjoying what you’re doing and you love doing it everyday, then you’re going to be happy and you’ll find happiness and you’ll make people around you happy.
Markkie: Can you recall a specific moment during your job where you realized this is why you do what you do?
Mark: Yeah, I think that everything that led me to being here, my time in the military, I think just helping people. I’ve helped people at calls, and I’ve helped out another firefighter that was in a lot of trouble at fire, and got him to safety, and everything turned out great. I could remember thinking that–how great it was that I was able to be in a position to help him.
Matt: Today I chose to interview you, Mom, because you have always been a positive influence and a role model to me throughout my life. I have seen you persevere through the hardest moments in life and turn negative situations into positive ones. I brought you here today to talk about your story of running and how it impacted your life. I want to discuss how you used it as an outlet, to not only get through hard times, but to do something incredible. What was the happiest moment of your life? What was the saddest?
Joanne: I would say the happiest moment was the birth of you and your sister, Sara. The saddest I would say, is when I left your father and moved us out of the family home to start a new beginning.
Matt: What are you most proud of in life?
Joanne: I would say I am the proudest of you and your sister Sara. All that you have overcome in just the 18 years of your life. How hard you work and how you persevere through obstacles you face. And the type of caring, loving, kind people you have turned into.
Matt: Do you have any words of wisdom you would like to pass along to me?
Joanne: This could take a while; I have a lot to say. I probably have said this to you a million times, but be a leader, not a follower. Believe in yourself. Look fear in the eyes and persevere through it. The only way you are going to grow in life is if you push yourself out of your comfort zone. Also, that, you have a lot of gifts that are given to you, people are drawn to you. So use those gifts wisely throughout your life. Every moment before you wake up each day, chose joy, don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler, or better; life is always going to be complicated. Learn to be happy right now, otherwise you will run out of time.
Matt: How was your life different than you imagined?
Joanne: First of all, I never imagined that your father and I would have gotten a divorce. We were married about 15 years, and it was a difficult decision to make, but it was one that had to happen. It wasn’t easy. I also feel like I have accomplished a lot more physically than I thought I ever could. I was always athletic, but by creating goals I was able to achieve amazing things. I never pictured myself running half marathons, Ragnar’s and marathons. Another thing I didn’t realize as much until I went through difficult times are how important the right people in your life are. Life is lonely and scary without the right people to give you support and lift you up. Like I told you when you were a kid, people come into your life for different reasons, seasons and lifetimes. I have experienced it myself; you may not realize that they are only in your life for a reason now. But I truly believe that people are put into your life when you need them the most.
Matt: What were the hardest moments you had growing up and how did you overcome these obstacles?
Joanne: My parents got divorced when I was 8, actually the same age I got divorced from your father, which is strange. One of my parents, however, was a very serious alcoholic, and I ended up having to endure physical and emotional abuse for many, many years. I pushed through every day, not really sure how, something innate inside me kept me putting one foot in front of the other every day. I knew that I had to graduate from high school and go to college, but I never knew what would come after that. I think it was my dedication to myself to become a better person than my parents could be, because I saw them struggling, and I didn’t want to be like them. I think that is what motivated me to overcome that and push through.
Matt: Once you and Dad got divorced, I noticed this new tendency of yours. You were like a hamster, you would go on the treadmill and run for hours, go outside and run for hours. What about running did you fall in love with?
Joanne: If you ask any runner there is that runner’s high that you get after any run. Running really was an escape for me, it allowed me to be out in the elements, feel the wind against my face, and the sun on my skin. It helped me push the noise away. The noise from life, stress, chaos, it was just me and the concrete. It allowed me to free my mind from stress and come up with ideas for work and for life. When your mind is free from all this noise–it is awesome to allow your mind to be creative. As I continued to run, my body got stronger, my head got stronger, and mind got stronger, it pushed me to further my commitment to running and push myself even further.
Matt: So, once you found this new “calling” of yours, you decided to run a marathon. Walk me through the process of deciding to do such a crazy thing.
Joanne: Well once I had started running, I signed up for my first 5K. I finished that and was so pumped and excited, so I ran a bunch of other 5K’s and then decided to push myself even more and run some 10K’s, then I decided to run a half marathon. Once I finished the half marathon, I thought, if I can do a bunch of 5K’s, 10k’s, and a half marathon, why not do a full marathon? So, I had only been running probably less than a year, when I decided to do the marathon. I signed up for a marathon in May leaving me only seven months to train. During that time, I had an awful lot going on in my life.
Matt: Going off of what you just said there, what obstacles did you run into?
Joanne: Well, first of all, my family and friends thought I was crazy, because no one in my group of friends or family were runners, so nobody thought I would be able to run a marathon. But, I was also basically single-handedly raising you and your sister, working a full-time, stressful, high-level job, while taking you to all your activities, while building a house to live in, in the same town, so that you could go to the same school and keep the same friends, so your life would not be disrupted.
Matt: With all that said, how did you juggle being a mother, working a full-time job, and training for a marathon?
Joanne: Looking back, I honestly don’t know if I could do it again. But I was just so committed to pushing myself and doing the marathon, to prove to myself, and the naysayers in my life that I could do it. Anytime you would visit your father I would run, anytime I wasn’t working, or with you and your sister, I was running. I trained through the winter, so some of the training was on treadmills for hours. One time I was at a 24-hour gym. I was doing a 18-20-mile run, I was on it for so long at 10 o’clock they kicked me out. I remember telling the employee, “What are you talking about? You claim it is a 24-hour gym!” But it shows if you put your mind to it and put in the work, you can do anything you imagine.
Matt: So, after all the hard work and training, and obstacles, race day is here, what was it like on race day?
Joanne: So, my philosophy was that I was going to train, but not over train, and go in healthy rather than hurt. I was healthy but frightened out of my mind. We were at the line, and I looked at my friend who was running it with me and I thought to myself, we don’t belong here, there were people around in better physical shape and have done marathons before. I felt like such a newbie and not worthy. So, I stopped and told myself I put a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears into this, you deserve to be here and you can do this. The gun went off, and I started running.
Matt: So, as you are running, you know you run the first couple miles, get to 5, get to 10, the hit the half marathon length. What kept you motivated during this process?
Joanne: Well, I remember at the 13.2 mark I was like okay that wasn’t too bad, but then I realized I have to run another 13.2 miles. So, I ate half a banana, and I said I’m in it for the long run, I’m not gonna let myself down. I’m going to finish this race no matter what. I thought of you and Sara, and how I wanted to show you guys that you can do whatever you put your mind to. If you are dedicated and put in the hard work regardless of what people say, you can accomplish it. I remember all the people who told me I couldn’t run a marathon, couldn’t get a divorce, couldn’t build a house. But I proved them all wrong, stayed strong and dedicated and persevered through everything life has thrown my way.
Matt: What was it like to cross the finish line?
Joanne: I was completely exhausted but euphoric that I finally did it, and that all the hard work I put in was worth it. It really made me stop and pause and think you can really accomplish your goals when you put your mind to it. Don’t let other people or obstacles get in your way of completing what you want to do.
Matt: Why would you say that running was your “calling”?
Joanne: Running has really been my sanctuary, away from the stresses and chaos of life. If I didn’t have running, I don’t know if I would be able to have accomplished all I have in my life or even be as good of a mom, worker, or person, as I hope I have been. I think everyone has something in their life, for me, it’s running. For me, when I’m down, instead of doing negative things, running is my go-to. I’m so thankful that I can still run, I’ve had bumps and bruises, my knees are not as young as they used to be, but I hope I can still run for many years to come.
Matt: Thank you so much for sitting with me today and telling me your story. It is so inspiring to have watched you, as a young kid. You are my role model and took a negative situation and turned it positive instead of being a victim. You have found an outlet and went far beyond what you ever thought was possible. I’m so thankful to have you in my life, and I love you so much. I really hope one day I can run a marathon just for you.
Mary Gillette: To start off our interview, I was just curious as to how your childhood helped shape you into the person you are today, and ultimately into finding your calling, because I know you and I have had very different experiences growing up.
Cora Gillette: Yes, we had similar but different experiences. My parents were immigrants, from Ireland, and there were five children in my family. I had a brother who passed away at birth.
Mary Gillette: And what do you think that was like for your family?
Cora Gillette: So I’m considered a rainbow child, the child born after a child passed away, so my mother was very happy after I was born. But I think it was a sadness that was always there. My father was drafted when he first came to the United States. He was 23, and he ended up loving it here because you can make so much of yourself. Both my parents came here with nothing, and they raised five, college-educated children.
Mary Gillette: What do you think your parents pushed for you and your siblings?
Cora Gillette: Well, my mother, who didn’t work until we were older, really wanted all of us, my brother and my sisters, to get an education so we could support ourselves and live fulfilled lives.
Mary Gillette: What do you think the happiest, and the saddest moments in your life were?
Cora Gillette: Well, the happiest day was the day you were born, Mary. That was the happiest day of my life. You were talking about callings, and I was telling you earlier I feel that my true calling was to be a mother. And I love being a mother to you and your brother. The saddest day of my life was when my dad passed away. That was hard.
Mary Gillette: The next question I would like to ask is: who do you think the most important person in your life has been and can you tell me about them?
Cora Gillette: That would be my mom. She was very inspirational and wanted the best for all of us, and I love her very much. I feel very blessed to have my mother as a role model.
Mary Gillette: Now I’m going to move on a little to your work life. What do you do for a living? And ultimately do you like your job?
Cora Gillette: I do like my job. I’m a bank examiner for the State of Connecticut, and I’m a principal financial examiner. I’ve been doing it for over 30 years. I got a job with the state immediately after I received my Bachelor’s Degree, and I am fulfilled in what I do.
Mary Gillette: How did you end up choosing your job? And what are some lessons your work life has personally taught you?
Cora Gillette: My mother pushed us to get degrees in fields where you would be employed. My sisters have business degrees, and my brother is an engineer. I’m very glad about that, I don’t know if I would have done it myself, but it’s a very good job. I was a Finance undergrad and have a Master’s in Business Administration. I’m very happy with what I do, it’s business. Some parts of it I don’t like–I think that’s how it is with everything–but you persevere with your career. They have ups and downs, and as long as you know that, it will be fine. I’ve had the same job for 30 years, with a lot of the same people. There’s pluses and minuses.
Mary Gillette: Okay, so the next question is what are you proudest of in your life?
Cora Gillette: My family, my children. I think it’s wonderful to have a family, and I love your father very much. I think the two of us together have raised great kids, and that is what I’m most proud of: my family. And my faith–it gets you through life’s ups and downs.
Mary Gillette: The last question I have for you is are you happy? And do you think that someone’s calling has to pertain to their job?
Cora Gillette: I think we all have callings, but I don’t think someone as a kid thinks to themselves, “Oh, I want to be a bank examiner!” They say, “I want to be an astronaut!” I do feel that through whatever profession you have, whatever you do, if you try to be a person with character and show respect for people, whatever position you have, is great. I think it is so important to respect each other and to respect professions that people have, because we all have different ways to go in life, and I think we should all try our best to love each other and be respectful, and nice to each other in whatever profession we have.
Mary Gillette: Thank you so much for the interview.
Sebastiano: What do you do for a living?
Michael: I own a family business with my brother, and we sell retail products, liquor, wine, beer, tobacco, candy, and groceries. Sam D’Angelo Incorporated owns two stores, one called Sam’s Convenience in Chicopee Massachusetts and D’Angelo’s Wine and Spirits in South Windsor Connecticut. We also own a small strip mall called D’Angelo’s LLC in Chicopee and two buildings in South Windsor.
Sebastiano: Is there anything else you wanted to be when growing up?
Michael: I always wanted to own my own business. My father owned his own business and my grandfather owned his own, so I wanted to follow in their footsteps. When I went to college, however, I wanted to become a lawyer. So I started following studies that would’ve brought me towards law school. Unfortunately, that all changed when my father died at my graduation which ended that dream. But I have no regret–I love my job. My job is very challenging at times, but it’s very rewarding being your own boss.
Sebastiano: How much experience do you have in your current job?
Michael: I have a lot of experience in what I do. My brother and I worked for my father since we could walk. I remember my mother would drop us off at his warehouse that he owned while other kids were outside playing. He’d have us do small jobs, and as we got older, do more labor such as stacking boxes, and stocking the shelves. I remember I would stamp cigarettes with my uncle and grandfather when he was a wholesaler. My father then bought the liquor store when I was around 18 years old. Pretty much I know no other life style than working with my family.
Sebastiano: What life lessons has your work life taught you?
Michael: My life lessons are I believe you can achieve anything if you work hard enough towards that goal. You should have a clear head, meaning you should focus on that goal–do not drink or smoke. I’m not saying that I was an altar boy, but my work has taught me that if you’re not willing to sacrifice your own self you’re never going to make it. My father always told me, “I don’t care if you are a street sweeper, as long as you do it the best of your ability, then I’m proud of you.”
Sebastiano: Do you have any favorite memories from your job?
Michael: I just turned 50 years old, and we’ve owned this store [D’Angelo Wine and Spirits] for 30 years. I could literally write a book. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I remember my brother and I would be in college and would could go back to work on weekends when soccer season was over. My father had a deal with us: we had to work every weekend. My father began to become weaker, but my brother and I had no idea while we were working on those weekends spending time with him. I remember he’d have my little cousin Christopher who was in middle school under his wing while we were gone. Tony (my brother) and I would tease Chris because my father and him would have matching hats. We weren’t jealous or anything, just teasing him saying things such as “oh are you taking over the store now?” or calling him the “favorite one.” Another story was after my father passed and after we graduated college, we drove down to South Windsor during a blizzard and we had no business being on the road and no business at the store. What we ended up doing was using our basketball displays at the store and playing basketball and soccer. It was just an amazing bonding experience with my brother.
Sebastiano: What does this job mean to you?
Michael: As my kids started getting older, we always had them down there so they know all the customers. I’d bring my dog down. It’s a real family business. Now I am 50 years old, and I have my niece and nephew and my two older kids down, which makes it so nice. My father would be so proud to see his grandkids work at the store.
Sebastiano: When do you think you will retire?
Michael: I will retire the day that I die, no question about it. Someone will have to open the store the day that happens.