Charity Begins with John
Hi everyone, guess where I am today? I'm at one of my favorite
places in the whole wide world, The Skyline Restaurant here on Rte 75 near
my Bradley Int. Airport, and guess what else? One of the owner's, Gina in
fact, is here to help meet and greet my next "Star" on the George "Wall of
Fame", Mr. John Dunn of Windsor, CT.
Gina, what's for dinner? She recommends their homemade Italian
dishes and John and Judy and I may show up for the Wednesday night Trivia as our
terrific servers Lisa and Sara say we can win money!
As a matter of fact the Skyline is going to be my new home for
all my upcoming interviews unless I jet set off to Vegas to speak with Wayne
Newton. Wayne, how do you do it my friend? You have all the ladies swarming and
crying at your feet when you sing?? I sing and the ladies cry... but it's not the
same reaction you get from them... maybe it's my feet? Ouu, I think Judy just
choked. She said I should take my column to Vegas and she will look for a
magician that will make me disappear. Well, I was going to sign up for this
seasons "Dancing With The Stars" but one of those Dallas Cowboys took my place.
I guess there's always next season. Cheryl Burke, call me, OK? it's
George.
Well now to the most important part of the day, ladies and
gentleman, meet John Dunn. John was born in Rockville, CT and spent his
educational years at UCONN receiving a BA in Economics and Marketing, which has
led him to an array of fantastic careers that I can't wait to tell you about. As
you all know I received my degree in BS. It's a BS in BS...it's the best you can get.
Anyhow John, I'm truly honored to sit here with you today. John
started his career at G Fox in Hartford. Boy, John I used to love going there,
how about you Judy? I wasn't born then George. Listen... I know you were
born...maybe you were not driving into Hartford, but you were born. Who is she
kidding right John? John pleads the 5th. Now folks John started as a stock
clerk and worked his way up through the G Fox company to an executive position
in sales. He said that working from the ground floor gave him great insight into
the company itself and he enjoyed attending the many executive retail training
programs they offered.
This lead him to his next opportunity as the assistant buyer
for 18 Ames Dept stores where he spent a good part of his career. John tells me
that at the very beginning of Ames arrival on the retail scene, it was a great
Dept store with lots to offer and people loved it. It was a shame to see it
decline through mergers and recessionary decisions that affected the image it
had stood up to for so many good years. So in the late 90's, John found himself
looking for another opportunity. John, I must say that I am very impressed with
your resiliency and positive attitude as I sit here listening to your wonderful
life story. That's probably the most important example we can set in anything we
write or say is that no matter what, you don't give up.
John's next career move was to research and purchase a
franchise from Peartree Home Marketing, a Canadian company that evolved around
helping homeowners sell their houses by themselves. It is today's version of the
"For Sale By Owner" concept. Ten years ago John could see that was an up and
coming thing, but the American public was just not quite ready for it. John held
a seminar to explain the whole new idea... and including his relatives, 3
people came. John don't feel bad that happens at all my birthdays. John my
friend, you had a great idea but you were just a little ahead of your time. I
know how you feel, I have the opposite problem. I get a great new idea and then
someone tells me it was already done 10 years ago. So someone copied me before I
even knew about it. Think about that one Judy.
Letting nothing get him down, John moved on to a management job
with the Dairy Mart Corporation. He says he really loved the people and the job in
nearby Enfield, CT. Do you know that Dairy Mart owned about 1,200 stores? After
many years on Vision Drive in Enfield the company moved its headquarters to Ohio
at which time John had to make another career decision, to move or look for new
employment again. John decided Ohio was a long commute so he would stay in CT.
His family was here and his wife Joan (Elder) who he speaks very fondly of
after 24 years of marriage had spent her whole career at Travelers and he wanted
her to be able to see it through.
So at this juncture, grateful for his many experiences, John
decided to go it on his own and become a marketing consultant. He calls himself
a duct tape marketing coach that helps small businesses try to increase their
sales. So with that and many other projects in the works, he kept himself very
busy until his lovely wife Joan retired last year after 42 consecutive years
at Travelers. He is very proud of her accomplishments there and smiles when he
says that the first year of them both being home together has been an "adjustment" and now life is even busier if that is possible.
John's next undertaking was a big one: open heart surgery. Ouch,
huh John? Born with a narrow heart valve, John knew someday it might need repair
and darn didn't that day come last year. He credits heart specialist, Dr Takata,
who works two weeks in Japan and then two weeks at Hartford Hospital on a
consistent basis for bringing him through with flying colors. As he was
recovering in 2008, you will never guess who he met up with, none other than our
former Business Express Mgr. at BDL, Kelley (Russell) Boothby! John we just saw
her at a dinner for the old Airport gang right here at the Skyline a few weeks
ago. We loved her here at Bradley and now she works with you as she is the
director of Volunteer Services at Hartford Hospital. What a small world! John
says Kelley is wonderful at her job as she trained him to become part of a
program called "Mended Hearts". With "Mended Hearts", John visits and comforts
people having heart surgeries before and after the operation giving patients
needed information as well as encouragement and support. What a terrific thing
to do John!
John is also involved in the "Out to Pasture" Farm and Rescue,
family-run, non-profit animal rescue
and rehabilitation organization. Their mission is to give animals which are
elderly, abused, terminally ill or physically challenged a home in eastern CT where they
can live out their natural lives. John helps raise funds for medicine and care.
In September, John will be attending a conference in San Francisco (on his 25th
wedding anniversary without his wife..shhhh!) learning about obtaining
sponsorships for charity and good works. He hopes he can apply what he learns to
the "Mended Hearts" program, "Out to Pasture" and us, "Bright Lights Music". John
knows our goal is to do as many things possible to help others and has been
very generous with great advice and support over the past years with our Christmas CDs and different adventures!
John puts a lot of emphasis on people and values and is extremely grateful
for his good wife Joan and the great life they have with their dog Tripp and cat
Cacey and hopes to continue his mission to help others.
Well John, it was my absolute honor to meet you here at the Skyline with
the quick witted and beautiful owner Gina, oh and Judy too.
I see in you a man who takes great stock in humanity and giving back, no
matter what the circumstances. You are someone we can all learn from. I am
humbled by your efforts to help the great organizations you give so much time,
energy and enthusiasm to and that is what makes you a definite Star in my book... and in many others I'm sure. Until next time, God Bless and Goodnight from
George!
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