Dal-Tile

Papa’s World – 6-25-1982 – marriage!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Papa and Sherry the day we were married.

Front row – second from left standing behind Natalia – Tammy.

The tall girl next to Tammy – Sherry’s oldest Debby.

Next to me – Debbie – her sister and her two daughters – Kristy and Bethany next to Tammy and Debby.

Nathan is being held by Debby –

Next to Sherry is her mother Barb and her father Bill.

Next to Bill is Rusty – Barb’s brother and in front of him is Ceil – his wife.

This day was the second marriage for both of us.

We had dated the previous year and a half.

We had worked together at The American Olean Tile Company –

and by chance found out we were both in divorce proceedings.

Luck in a passing comment by other co-workers –

Brought us together in a conversation we had later.

All this seems like yesterday

her mother and father are now gone as is her Aunt and Uncle.

The kids – all of them – are grown and have children of their own.

For some unknown reason – my two boys are not in this picture although –

they were in other pictures.

The years passed – marriages and grandkids came.

Here to the left is Debby and Mike and their three daughters –

Maddy – Sarah and Ella.

To the right are Tammy and Marcus with the twins Cassidy and Taylor and the only boy – Bode.

We moved during the 2020 Pandemic – having sold our Brambleon, Va. home.

Mike and Debby still live at Lake Holiday –

on 522 between Berkly Springs and Winchester, Va.

Tammy and Marcus live in Selma Plantation –

just North of Leesburg, Va.

Many trips are now made back and forth between our home and their homes.

And they also make many trips back and forth.

The three oldest grandchildren – two are out of college –

the youngest is out of H.S.

The three youngest are still in school and into all kinds of activities –

The twins will soon be 15 and Bode to be 11.

Debby and Tammy are close to their mother.

Sherry on our honeymoon in the Dominican Republic in 1982.

Papa – just after my heart attack and before my open heart surgery.

My oldest son Troy and his partner Andrea – still live in WPA where he grew up.

My youngest son Shawn and Trisha – married – still live in WPA – where he grew up.

Papa and Sherry – far left – seven years after we were married – and I had a few years before –

given up playing softball –

And we both played in a competitive volleyball league and weekend tournaments.

Today we are seniors both 75-plus years old –

living our dream life in warm climates near beaches-

and golf – close to longtime friends.

PAPA’S WORLD – 6-25-1982 – Marriage –

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ONE I LOVE –

6-25-2025!

Papa’s World – More memorable times!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Before we moved in 2020 to N.C. & S.C. ( nine months) –

Sherry was a runner – along with her daughters –

pictured here is the youngest – Tammy-

All three of the oldest grandkids also run!

Her best run was finishing first in the 60 to 64 age group.

Many memories are here!

All three ran the D.C. Cherry Blossom race! TEN MILES!

I was in charge of grandkids that day –

the three youngest were not born yet.

We went into D.C. with backpacks –

And we found a place to stand – sit near the finish line.

That was a day to remember as all three came across the line holding hands!

Two daughters and their mother!

Until we left to come South – they ran on occasion.

MORE MEMORABLE TIMES!

Debby – Sherry and Tammy-

The Swedish gene runs deep here!

Sherry’s grandmother was born in Sweden.

She still has distant relatives there.

We did take an extensive tour of Denmark – Sweden, and Norway with her mother and sister-

We were on a bus and traveled for 1400 miles –

only staying more than one night in the same place twice!

We saw from a distance her homeland of her grandmother.

That is a cherished memory.

MORE MEMORABLE TIMES!

Friends for years and years.

Sherry – Dottie and Cindy.

Dottie grew up in the same town I did and married Jim who I knew and played softball with.

Cindy was our neighbor but had known Dottie and Jim.

We all lived in WNY and WPA –

although the border separated us –

it was only ten miles or so.

We have vacationed together – raised the kids and traveled the World.

To this day every three to five months we get together.

All three now live in N.C. –

Cindy is 38 miles away and Dottie is about three and one-half hours away.

Over the years which go back to the early 80’s –

We have had many memorable moments.

Today I share this moment on the waterfront-

in Wilmington, N.C.

MORE MEMORABLE TIMES!

I know this to be very true! LOL

Jimmy and I have been best buds since we played softball together in the mid to late ’70s.

We also worked at A.O.T.C. – Dal Tile together.

I went to Dottie and Jim’s wedding before I met Sherry.

Friendship runs deep – The little town of Eldred, Pa. where we were raised –

still holds a lot of special memories for the both of us.

MORE MEMORABLE TIMES!

Close friends through time.

Buck – Dottie – Sherry – Cindy and Jim.

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway. blog

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Papa’s World – My first day of work at American Olean Tile co.

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It was June 5th. 1967 – I was to report to Human Resources at 8AM.

My ride was a 1957 Chevy Bel-Air –

Aqua and White.

I had just graduated from H.S. –

and the previous 8 months – I had spent 51 days in the hospital –

In traction in bed with a Catheter for 41 of those days.

There were days that I did not know if I would ever walk again.

I was in a car accident –

I am lucky to be alive.

I came home in a wheelchair and then the rehab began.

I went to crutches and then to a cane.

I had been an athlete – and now I was learning to walk all over again.

I had a broken pelvis and a torn Urethea tube.

But – I had a wonderful support group.

I arrived 15 minutes early – parked my car and walked around the front of the “TILE PLANT”-

To the front entrance – down the stairs and reported to the lady at the window –

Who I was and what I was doing there.

I had a paper bag for lunch.

She told me to take a seat and soon two other guys came in.

They were Bonas students and were there for Summer Work.

We talked and then the HR man – named Jim – came and said hello –

Told us to wait and the foreman named Jim would be right there.

I remembered being in awe of all the surroundings.

Not knowing what to expect and then Jim was there –

said to follow him and we went down the stairs – turned left down the hall –

And through double swinging doors to the sights and sounds of PLANT LIFE!

It was HOT as we walked right down beside the old number one kiln.

The noise – I shall never forget and the fork trucks – the people working –

Ear plugs were expected to be worn and safety glasses which they had given us.

It got hotter as we walked down toward what I later found out was the mounting room –

and turned left at the lab.

Jim kept walking and turned left at the lab and we proceeded through a large doorway that had a metal fire door – IN CASE OF FIRE?

What had I got myself involved in?

The first stop was the men’s locker room and we were assigned lockers – mine was number 10!

There was a place to take a shower with three shower heads.

Benches attached to the floor were in front of the metal lockers – all a tan color with numbers on them

Through another doorway were the urinals and stalls and a closet-

With a large piece of cardboard on the floor –

Here is where FRIDAY sleeps for his lunch break Jim says!

Then it was back out and turn right and walk down a slight ramp.

This he said was the SERVICE and BODY PREP departments.

Around the corner to the left was the time clock –

Punch in there – put your card in the rack and don’t punch in late or punch out early!

WELCOME TO THE TILE PLANT!

Herb was the supervisor of the Body Prep Department and Jim was the supervisor of the Service Dept.

There was no office – they both had stand-up metal desks side by side.

It was noisy and dust in the air-

here is where they mixed the clay bodies together and it went up four stories!

Next – he said since I would be there the longest and the other two just the summer-

I would be trained in Body Prep – as an extra and used as needed.

I then met the other workers in Body Prep –

and started training as can man.

Then onto weighmaster and compactor operator.

Then the Forty Cubic and soon Stain – making the colors for the tile before mixing/

That went on for three months and I knew every job in the department.

Someone named Samuel was fired and the opening was on the second shift-

No one bid on it and I was assigned the job.

I worked as a weighmaster on the second shift for 6 1/2 years –

TEN HOUR DAYS – 3pm. to 1 am. – no breaks – eat on the fly – 2 hours OT every day!

My starting pay back then in 1967 – was $1.72 an hour plus OT!

There were four of us on the second shift and at that time the rest of the plant was all done and gone-

by 11PM.

It was a dirty dusty job – but also no one bothered you.

My job was to weigh up 1200-pound batches that looked like Talcum powder on stainless steel scales.

I had three systems North – South and East.

I added the stain of the color we were running –

I had a large control panel that showed me the entire system and what step the batch was in.

I had a chair next to the panel and it took 12 minutes to run out before I weighed the next batch.

So I took that time to READ – whatever I could get my hands on.

The whole time while watching the power panel.

The only time I was not doing that – we had color changes and we had to clean up the entire process-

start to finish

They gave us two hours for a wash job and one hour for a brush job.

Usually one or two a night.

meanwhile, you had to keep the other systems running.

No one was there in management to bother me – I was up on the third level

It was noisy with the hum of the units running.

One other worker was there with me on the other side and two men on the ground level.

That was my first job at AOTC – and I lasted 47 1/2 years.

I held many jobs in those years

I ended up running the two departments I started in.

I was in management the last 12 years we were there before we both transferred to NVA!

Down in NVA – I worked in seven different locations –

The beginning was just the tip of the bottle in the different hats I wore for what-

would become DAL-TILE – part of MOHAWK INDUSTRIES!

Sherry and I met there and were married on June 25th. 1982 –

We both retired from DAL-TILE – AMERICAN OLEAN TILE CO. after 791/2 years of total service.

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Past Memories – moving forward.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

As we move into the new dawn of a new year –

We – Sherry and I –

reflect back –

Since we packed up and moved in 1999 –

The company we worked for –

American Olean – Dal-Tile –

Closed the operations in Olean, N.Y. –

After 99 1/2 years of operations!

IN 2012!

We were fortunate to have transferred –

13 years before they closed the doors.

While the rest of the company –

owned by Mohawk – still operates –

They also closed the remaining factories of A.O.T. C. – except one!

Today they mostly have the brand name.

That is the picture of the past –

many fond memories for both of us –

As to when we finally retired –

We had 79 1/2 years of service for the A.O.T.C.

and Dal-Tile brand!

Today – in retirement –

I often recall those early years memories –

I spent the first six and one-half years of my employment –

Working the second shift on ten-hour days –

From 3pm. to 1 am.

We worked straight through-

taking our break “ON THE FLY”!

Those were my very early years starting on 6-05-1967.

I still see the images of the three men I worked with –

during that time on the second shift.

There was “Frosty” –

who was the lead-man leader.

There was “GEORGE” –

whom I worked with upstairs by ourselves.

The was “SHORTY” –

who worked on the main level with “FROSTY”!

Our department was large – –

almost four stories high.

George and I worked on the third level.

It was a job in which I had to weigh up the product-

on a large scale –

Almost 1200-pound batches with five different ingredients.

The scales were stainless steel –

and each ingredient was like talcum powder.

All done by valves –

and air pressure.

A state-of-the-art production system-

that was installed a few years before I came to work there.

There were three systems – NORTH – SOUTH and EAST.

So we were doing three different products at the same time.

I also would start them up-

and with a power dump – put the stain or color into them.

The scales would run for 12 minutes –

with a large screw that would mix the powered clay together.

This would then empty out and go through an elevator –

to what they called THE GAYCO SEPARATOR.

I then would put the stain into what we called a mixer or blender and the clay body would flow into that.

I had 12 minutes between each batch –

and would use that time to clean up –

remove stains from an overhead conveyor –

And keep my area neat.

I had a chair that I could sit in –

and watch the big panel that was lit up and showed each stage of the process.

Red – Green and White and Yellow lights told me the different stages.

We would do color changes during the shift – –

Sometimes 2 or 3 and that would require –

full clean-ups with air- water, and vacuums.

During those times we kept the opposite systems going –

And as you can imagine –

it was a dusty operation during clean-ups!

There were times during the ten-hour shifts-

we did not have any clean-ups –

And once I got everything caught up –

I would sit right there –

and read while watching the panel.

I became sensitive to the changes –

in sounds from the equipment-

and from watching the panel –

to spot any malfunction –

and correct it!

I will write another blog on my time at the OLEAN TILE PLANT –

From 1967 to 1999 before I transferred.

Moving forward into a new year –

looking to the future with family and friends.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – On 9-11 – I was just a few miles from the Pentagon!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

It was April or early May in 1999 –

I was in my office at the American-Olean-Dal-Tile Co. –

Olean, N.Y. The phone rang –

and the operator said I had an outside call – please hold while I connect you.

It was Christine from store number 159 – Alexandria, Va.

One of the largest revenue stores in the country.

She offered me a job –

knowing that Sherry had been offered and was about to accept a manager job –

in Dulles, Va.

We talked about money and what I would be doing!

Then I told her I would accept under one critical condition to me!

I would TRANSFER within the company bringing all my services –

time and vacation with me AND-

I wanted no responsibility in management – ( she would later try to get me to rescind)

I would give her over 100% effort –

but I wanted to retire in the next 15 years

and just work eight hours a day!

I would be an employee whom she did not have to coach to do the job –

I would lead by example-

but would issue no orders to anyone.

Within two months we sold our home in Portville, N.Y.,

and were living in the middle of –

OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA –

Sherry was the manager of 222 in Dulles – right across from the airport –

and I was just outside D.C. in Springfield, Va. near the Pentagon.

I had gone to work for SSC 159 – Alexandria –

one of the biggest revenue centers in the country –

For American-Olean-Dal-Tile Companys.

I had just turned 50 years old in 1999 –

before we left for Va. and the Washington, D.C. area.

It was a whole new world for both of us –

Sherry was her own boss and took that store from

just under One million dollars in sales to between six and seven million dollars in sales.

Garnering President’s award along the way-

and recognition for her style and energy –

and customer relations –

building sales to one of the fastest-growing SSCs in the country.

ME – I was very happy –

learning a whole new system geared to fulfill customers’ orders –

I was given the hours of 5AM to 2PM.

Opening the store – and getting the orders from a truckload that came in overnight –

for customers who showed up at 7:30 AM. to pick up!

By myself – I unloaded 12 to 14 truckloads a week –

broke them down and put them away.

I learned the computer –

and received each item I checked in and the location after I put it away.

This was for a store that grew from 12 million a year in sales to 17 million in sales in the first two years I was there!

That is a lot of tile to check in and take care of.

I was working in my area when the first plane hit the Twin Towers –

we had a TV in the main counter area.

We gathered around the front desk to watch.

It was 9-11

2001 and I was in the Alexandria – 159 SSC just outside Washington, D.C.

I do not know how long we were standing there in disbelief –

But – A large Shadow crossed over the parking lot outside –

and some customers and employees came inside=

and said a large plane had flown over the building and parking lot –

very low to the ground!

And then a newsbreak and alert –

A PLANE HAD JUST FLOWN INTO THE PENTAGON – just a mere few miles from us.

Tramatised – we all stared at the TV.

We were under attack and then the fourth plane went down in Pa.

We were told to go home and we closed down the store

I made the 45-minute drive back to Fairfax where we had bought a townhouse.

I know where I was on 9-11 -2001 –

I also know where I was the day JFK was assassinated –

and we also experienced the DC SNIPER for weeks –

and I have vivid images of that time –

We were right in the middle of all the shootings.

I remember in the days after the Twin Towers –

and the Pentagon and the field in Pa.

It was very eerie going outside and walking –

no planes in the air except for the military jets leaving their presence in trails across the sky!

But these happenings will be another blog –

For today – my 9-11 occurred right outside D.C.

I shall take that memory with me to the grave.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – ON 9-11, I WAS JUST A FEW MILES FROM THE PENTAGON!

Papa’s World – My early years after H.S.

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Eldred, Pa. Sits among the foothills of the ancient Allegheny Mountains!

About six miles to the border of New York State and Olean-Portville and Allegheny, N.Y.

Also this area in the ancient past – was part of the Seneca Indian Nation!

The Kinzua Valley and Chief Cornplanter –

Salamanca, N.Y. is now the reservation and has its own casino!

My early years were full of softball – basketball and football.

I also started golfing when I was ten years old –

my father had a family membership at Smethport Country Club.

My brother and I would go with him and he would send us off in front of his foursome.

Those early years of golf –

I did not know WHAT I was doing-

and of course, I used the old baseball swing!

Mike – my younger brother –

well, he was always breaking something –

He broke both arms at the elbow at different times.

One – he played he was shot and fell off a small roof –

at a neighbor’s house and his elbow hit a stone birdbath –

shattering the elbow and requiring surgery –

He had a pin in the elbow and his arm when held straight out – well the elbow was odd –

Sort of off-center.

Then later he fell off the railing on the front porch-

and hit his other elbow on a six-by-six –

and I will be darned – did the exact same thing!

Now – he playing golf – because of how his arms were when straight out –

he could drive a golf ball-

straight down the fairway and boy could he hit it.

This was back in the late 50’s and early 60’s –

He could drive past the old number one green at Smethport!

That is easy over 300 yards.

He became a scratch golfer and an excellent golfer in our area –

Gene Fasio –

once said to me –

“IF I HAD YOUR BROTHER’S DRIVES AND HIS OWN SHORT GAME – HE WOULD TURN PRO”!

Me – I still struggle hitting it straight –

although I am better now than I ever was!

I never went to Bradford, Pa. much –

I always got the feeling in H.S. – better to stay away from

all those Bradford lads!

Olean – that is where I went to work at 18 years old – June 5th. 1967.

Little did I know I would end up working for the same company for 47 1/2 years!

Those early years – 6 1/2 years to be exact –

I worked on the second shift –

3:00 PM. to 1:00 AM.

We had no breaks –

we “ARE ON THE FLY” as they say –

taking a break or lunch when we could.

We would all gather together on the back deck in Body Prep – there were four of us.

For 15 or 20 minutes we ate our dinner and then back to work –

We worked 10 hours and were paid two hours O.T. each day!

Back then – I was making $1.72 an hour and that O.T. was a lifesaver!

Then I bid on a job in the same department-

only on the first shift –

and continued the 10-hour days for another three years!

During my early time there I made many – many friends and it was an enjoyable time of my life.

But – my early life of marriage started to have cracks –

After a couple years on the day shift-

and in the Shipping department – I got a divorce.

I then met Sherry – and we have been married for 42-plus years!

On our wedding day June 25th. – 1982.

My early years were full of so many people and things we did –

Today – we are in our dream place living our life to the plus –

eating HEALTHY – Taking our supplements for close to 19 years.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog email: fitztdf@aol.com

PAPA’S WORLD – MY EARLY YEARS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL!

Papa’s World – Life at Pleasant Acres Drive!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Our love and marriage – for five and one-half years – we lived on the East Windfall Road –

way out in the country.

A house came up for sale – it was being sold by a holding company – the previous owner transferred and his company bought the house in the move.

It was a beautiful – ten-year-old – two-story Colonial – with four bedrooms and two baths upstairs!

A full basement with cement floor – and on the main level – two living rooms – a dining room – a breakfast area and a large laundry room with an attached half bath.

A large two-car garage with a bump out for shelving and storage.

Situated on three-quarter-acre mowed lot – with a small grouping of trees in the backyard.

And right across the street were our dear friends – The McBrides!

Sherry and Papa – with Cindy and Buck McBride – later – moved to N.C. and about twenty-five years later –

we followed and now live some 38 miles from them.

We often get together to golf on weekends and then either go out or to one another home for dinner.

We lived in Pleasant Acres Drive for twelve and one-half years – Mike and Carol John lived next door – and we often played tricks on one another –

One time he snuck over and hooked up to my Christmas lights and would turn them off and on! LOL

Another time I remodeled the half bath – took out the old toilet – painted it Red – White and Blue –

I placed it behind a big pine tree where he could not see it – and I placed a sign on it –

“WELCOME TO MIKE’S JOHN”! LOL

To this day we still visit them and they visit us – they have since moved and built a large house near his business and purchased a large house on Chautauqua Lake that we have visited twice!

Our neighborhood there was fun – often, times we would line up the riding mowers and race to the end of the road.

There were neighborhood graduations – parties and just general good fun.

Buck and Cindy moved about four years before we did – sad days followed but we often would vacation down in N.C. with them

After twelve and one-half years – we decided as empty nesters – it was time to move on –

It would be sad but for me – I had enough of supervision – factory life –

and for Sherry – she had a college degree and couldn’t go no further –

she was head of Logistics – time to move on.

We had added on a very large two-level covered deck with a hot tub!

Also a firepit with white scotch pine trees and several birch trees-

Had the back of the lot graded and seeded into the lawn – added hot water baseboard heating

and a wood-burning stove in the basement and tiled part of that.

I hand-stained the woodwork with her father’s special woodworking – he was a master –

And that all is there today – we sold it to a close friend and they live there today!

We said our goodbyes to friends and neighbors – packed up and we both transferred to NVA!

We transferred within the company and took all our benefits with us –

We went from the middle of COUNTRY to ALEXANDRIA, VA. the middle of the city!

After two months of company housing – we purchased our first home –

In the Fairfax, Va. neighborhood of FOUNTAINSIDE DRIVE!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – LIFE AT PLEASANT ACRES DRIVE – my site: LIVINGLIFEDOINGITMYWAY.BLOG

Papa’s World – Meeting Old Friends from Tile Plant Days! At BLUE DRUM!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

On The ICW – in Little River – sits BLUE DRUM – a restaurant that we have begun to frequent!

Next door to a marina – it opened a few months ago and we have been there three times!

One of the highlights for us is watching the boat traffic on the ICW – while eating lunch –

and seeing them dock and come up to eat!

You can sit on the covered porch or inside at the bar and tables or go down by the dock under umbrellas – protected from the harsh sun!

Peggy and Sherry looking out over the railing to the umbrellas and the ICW and boat docking!

The wind here cools things down with gentle breezes.

Our table is in the foreground – mostly shaded by the covered roof on the deck.

Next door is the boat marina where a neighbor of ours stores his boat.

We left here and went down toward Barefoot Landing before coming back.

We visited with Peggy and Adam Lawrence – who Sherry and I worked with back at the American Olean Tile Company in Olean, N.Y.

Adam was head of the Process – Engineering Department and my boss.

He now runs a very successful consulting business from Lancaster, Pa.

Sherry – Papa – Adam and Peggy – we have met up for the last couple of years when they come back each year to NMB for their vacation which they have done for years!

Great to see friends from WNY and talk about the past and future – at BLUE DRUM on the ICW!

Note the new add-on deck – done since our last visit a few weeks ago!

PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Meet old friends from 1999 – then showed them our house!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

It had been a very long time – 1999 to be exact – we had left Western N.Y. and transferred to Northern Va.

We worked for Dal-Tile ( American Olean Tile) in Olean, N.Y.

We both were able to transfer within the company and went at first to Alexandria, Va.

Eventually, we lived in Fairfax and then to Brambleton – just behind the Dulles airport.

A co-worker of both of us named Brain and his wife April became friends of ours before we left.

He had transferred in from Lansdale, Pa.

He reached out to us and said he would be in North Myrtle Beach and wanted to know if we could get together – of course, we could and arranged to meet for lunch at Barefoot Landing at Crooked Hammock!

April and Brain – he and I were supervisors and Sherry Logistics.

We golfed a lot together and had many memorable times together.

Brian has since transferred to Gettysburg, Pa. in the Dal-Tile corporation and is looking to retire in two years and now has 40 years with the company.

After lunch, they followed us back to our house and we gave them a tour to see what they could buy in our area after retirement.

Pictures of our home and we will be here two years in July!

Meeting up with friends from back in WNY – and now we are spread out to N.C. and Pa.

Thanks for reading and thanks to Brian and April for reaching out so we could see one another again!

PAPA’S WORLD my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MEET OLD FRIENDS FROM 1999 – THEN TOOK THEM TO SHOW THEM OUR HOME!