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Martin J. Stefanac

Profile Updated: October 31, 2023
Martin J. Stefanac
Martin J. Stefanac

Way Back

Martin J. Stefanac

Current

Martin J. Stefanac

Yearbook

Yes! Attending Reunion
Residing In:
Tavares, FL USA
Spouse/Partner - wedding date:
Vera 01/05/1979 Vera passed on 10/6/2022
Children:
Eva born May 18, 1982 and her husband Ryan Gravel married Oct 14, 2020
Helena (stepdaughter) born More…Feb 18, 1971 and her husband David born Dec 9, 1968
Websites:
Current Occupation:
Retired from General Dynamics and Boeing
Which Branch of the service did you serve in?
Air Force  
Did you graduate in January or June?

June '59

Grandchildren:

Quinn Stefanac Gravel born May 10, 2022 10 lbs 10.7 oz and 23 inches

About My Career:

After high school I went to Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK got an aircraft mechanic license and then worked for Zantop Air Transport as a flight line mechanic on C-46, C-47, and C54 cargo airplanes. In Feb 1963 I joined the airforce and was trained to work on the B-52 flight simulator. In 1967 I got out of the airforce and went to work for Chrysler Engineering as an electronic technician, later I worked at the tank plant and was a supplier quality assurance rep. in 1982 General Dynamics bought the tank plant and I worked for them until 1986 when I got a job with Boeing Aerospace where I worked on a lot of interesting projects until 1994 when I got surplussed due to Clinton cutbacks in military spending. I moved to Chicago and got a real estate license and sold commercial real estate for 8+ years until I moved to Fl where I worked for Sears for a couple of years before retiring as I turned 65 and can collect SS and Boeing and GD retirements. My wife is still hard at work as an OB/GYN and I take care of the house and wash the dishes. I don't do no cooking because I ain't no good at it and besides my wife does such a good job at cooking I don't need to mess things up. I am content with doing the dishes and she is okay with that as long as I keep the place clean. I also dewrinkle the clothes sometimes when she gets after me to get off my lazy ass and do something. Usually I can be found in the garage tinkering with something or in the yard yanking weeds or cutting the grass or just plain putsing around. 2021 Update, Vera and I have moved to an assisted living facility where we get help 24/7 in caring for Vera who is suffering from PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) she ws diagnosed with it in 2016 and is now in stage 4 going on to stage 5 and needs help with everything she does. Currently she is coughing and choking on almost all foods and drinks she takes in and the foods is mixed and mashed and drinks are thickened but she still has trouble swallowing. Otherwise, she is feeling well and seems to be in pretty good spirits and enjoys visits from our girls and their hubbbys. I am hoping for the very best and feel sorry for her condition. Our location is the Osprey Lodge in Tavares Florida and they can be googled if you would like to view the residence and the programs they provide. It is a nice place and I don't have to maintain the house any more and spend most of my time playing games on the computer.

Redford Memories:

Yes I have a few.
1. Lena Doll, the English teacher who used to stand in the wastebasket to get out of the cold draft among other oddities.
2. Swim class in the nude. remember we were required to swim naked.
3. Friday dance class.
4. The Old Mill. Do you remember putting a penny over a glass on a piece of paper and burning holes in the paper with cigarettes until the penny fell in and the loser had to drink from the glass.
5. The record store next door to the Old Mill.
6. Richards Drive In
7. Giegers.
8. Telway Drive In.
9. Redford Golf Course Summer & Winter. Toboggan slides and Ice skating rink
10. The roller rink on 8 Mile Rd.
these are a few memories. also there were the Boblo Boats and Sanders and the pet store that also sold model plane kits and the Redford Theater on LAHSER. I always thought it was Lasher but then somebody pointed out to me the actual spelling on the street sign and lo and behold it was spelled LAHSER. who woulda thunk it. How about Edgewater Park. anybody know when they closed?

Education after Redford:

Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK; Graduated in Airline Service Technician and Jet Engine Overhaul Technician (result is an FAA Airframe & Powerplant mechanic license)

US Air Force flight simulator training (trained to repair & maintain a B-52 flight simulator)

Chrysler Institute Highland Park, MI, Associate degree in Business Management

Real Estate School in Chicago, IL (resulted in an Illinois real estate license)

Military Service - When and Where

1963 to 1967 US Airforce, made the rank of Airman 1st class in 19 months grade E-4. Basic training at Lackland AFB , TX; Flight simulator school at Chanute AFB, IL; Assigned to Westover AFB, MA with TDY trips to maintain and repair a mobile B-52 simulator going from base to base Turner AFB in Albany, GA; McCoy AFB in Orlando, FL; Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH and Pease AFB in Portsmouth, NH.

Family/Travels/Events:

Summer 2008 had a family reunion of cousins in MI at my cousin Jim's house on Bellevue Lake. I have also been to Barcelona, Spain for Christmas 2005 with my wife and daughters and son-in-law. Visited my wife's family in the Czech Republic and snow skied in Czech and Austria and Italy. Also Skied Aspen, Snowmass, CO; Whistler & Blackcomb, BC; Mt St Anne in Quebec, Killington, VT; Big Sky, MT; Heavenly, CA and some others I can't remember the names of right now. I have also done a lot of boating on the great lakes and lake St Claire had a 22' Chris Craft 1952 wood boat then upgraded to a 34' cabin boat. When we moved to Seattle, my wife bought me a 42' Ocean Nova with twin diesel motors and dual driving stations. It was a pleasure to boat on Puget sound and Lake Washington.
It's now 2010 and I spent Christmas 2009 with my daughters and son in law in Seattle, WA. Had a great time and saw a bunch of changes since we moved out of Seattle in 1994. Glad to be back home in Florida where it is a bit warmer. Wishing all classmates a Happy New.
It's now 2011, what happened to 2010? Seems like only yesterday I was in Seattle, Actually, I was in Seattle again this Christmas with the daughters and son-in-law. Had a very joyous Christmas and enjoyed seeing Seattle again also.
2012 Christmas in Seattle again, Great trip.
2013 Christmas in Prague, Czech Republic with daughters and son-in-law, visited Vera's brother Franta and one of her classmates from med school. Also visited Vera's parents grave.

States/Countries:

Visited 49 states including D.C. not Alaska.
Visited Canada, Vancouver, B.C., Lake Louise, Banff, Jasper, Catamount Glacier, Windsor, Toronto, Quebec, Montreal
Visited Europe, Czech Republic, Prague, Pilsen, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Ireland, Croatia.

Places I have lived in the past 50 years are:
Tulsa, OK; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; Fort Myers, FL; Venice, FL; Naples, FL; Tampa, FL; Glenwood, IA; and Mount Dora, FL. Tavares, FL, Gainesville, FL

Do you spend part of the year at another address?

New address since February 2023: 24 SW 40th St., Gainesville, FL 32607, Permanent address.

Cell Phone 352-531-9770

email: martystefanac@gmail.com

What grade school did you go to?

Christ the King on Grand River and Trinity

Did you attend any of our 50th Reunion Weekend Events September 25 - 26 - 27, 2009?

I attended the Friday Night Reception at the Embassy Suites Hotel
I attended the Saturday Night Banquet at the Embassy Suites Hotel
I attended the Parshallville Cider Mill Outing

Martin J.'s Latest Interactions

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Martin J. Stefanac added a comment on Profile.
Apr
20
Apr 20, 2024 at 2:08 PM
Martin J. Stefanac added a comment on Profile.
Apr 20, 2024 at 2:04 PM
Mar
17
Mar 17, 2024 at 2:25 PM

Dear Paula, I am joining these other classmates in wishing you early Birthday wishes and prayers for George's recovery, May you have a great day.

Martin J. Stefanac added a comment on Profile.
Mar
12
Mar 12, 2024 at 3:18 PM
Martin J. Stefanac added a comment on Profile.
Mar 12, 2024 at 12:28 AM
Martin J. Stefanac posted a message. New comment added.
Mar
07
Mar 07, 2024 at 10:45 AM

Posted on: Mar 03, 2024 at 8:19 PM

Happy Birthday Natalie it was nice seeing last year at the lunch with Ken and Barbara Kelsey in St. Augustine I hope all is well and you have a great day.

Martin J. Stefanac added a comment on Profile.
Feb
19
Feb 19, 2024 at 7:23 PM
Dec
11
Dec 11, 2023 at 5:37 PM

Posted on: Dec 11, 2023 at 1:02 PM

Happy Birthday Barbara, Wishing you have a great day, enjoy all the cake and ice cream you desire to celebrate your special day.

Dec
01
Dec 01, 2023 at 8:21 PM
Sep
05
Sep 05, 2023 at 9:56 PM

Happy Birthday John, I hope you had a great day with plenty of cake and ice cream.

Aug
31
Aug 31, 2023 at 8:09 PM

Happy 82nd Birthday Ken, I hope you have a great day.

Aug
30
Aug 30, 2023 at 2:38 PM

Well, Happy 82nd Birthday John, I hope all is well and you are healthy and happy. Have a great day.

Martin J. Stefanac added a comment on Profile.
Aug
28
Aug 28, 2023 at 12:41 AM
Aug
22
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:26 AM

Looks like we made it to our 82nd Birthday, Have a very Happy Day.

Martin J. Stefanac added a comment on Profile.
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:19 AM
Martin J. Stefanac has a birthday today. New comment added.
Aug
23
Aug 23, 2023 at 12:17 AM

Posted on: Aug 22, 2023 at 4:33 AM

Martin J. Stefanac added a comment on Profile.
Jul
29
Jul 29, 2023 at 9:50 AM
Jul
13
Jul 13, 2023 at 11:21 AM
Martin J. Stefanac posted a message on Richard Hammer's Profile. New comment added.
Sep
11
Sep 11, 2023 at 10:47 AM

Posted on: Jul 11, 2023 at 11:29 AM

Happy Birthday Dick, I hope you have a great day and enjoy your cake and ice cream.

Martin J. Stefanac added a comment on Profile.
Jul
09
Jul 09, 2023 at 8:27 AM
Hide Comments
Posted: May 19, 2022 at 9:32 PM
Posted: May 19, 2022 at 9:31 PM
Posted: Jun 19, 2016 at 9:57 PM
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 4:42 PM
Posted: Mar 09, 2014 at 12:00 AM
This is our Samoyed (Dascha)
Posted: Mar 09, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Martin, Vera, Helena (daughter)
Posted: Mar 09, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Vera and both daughters, Helena and Eva in Barcelona
Posted: Mar 09, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Martin, Helena and David (Helena's husband) in Spain
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:08 AM
Christmas in Seattle with Space needle and downtown in the background. David on left next is Eva then Vera and Helena and me.
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:08 AM


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