I was born at St. Agnes Hospital Halloween night of 1967 in South Philadelphia to a 16 year old (single, Italian) mother. Mom (Joann) raised me (the oldest by 2 years) along with my step sister (Patty). My Father Tom) and Mother divorced when I was young. My Father and I and my son (now 12 years young) share the same name.  Both parents were Alcoholics. Mom, a drug addict as well.  Dad (Irish) lived in  Northeast Phila. with his family of Four. His wife (Joan), and my step sisters, Kim and Joanie. Also my brother Michael. 

I was told, by my Mother and Grandmother (Sally), that I had my first drink when I was 2 years old. They told me how silly I was when I got drunk. I don’t remember that first time but I do remember growing up around Family and Friends who always drank and drank a lot most times.

I didn’t get to start a relationship with my Father until late in School (4^th Grade). I was sent to visit with him many times, even for weekends at a time. At first I liked it then I grew to dislike it. I did well, all through  Elementary Grade School (1-6^th). I was part of the segregation program of all Public Schools in the 70’s. I was taken from a white (Junior High) School and put into a black (Edgar Allen Poe Junior High) School where I was to start a long road of being a rebel,  already with growing resentments of my upbringing. I managed to Graduate 8^th Grade in a second black (George Washington Junior High) school. All the while, I learned the art of hanging out on corners in my neighborhood. It was there that I really started to experiment with Drugs, Alcohol and everything else that goes with those two things.

I spent my summers working on a criminal record while getting high & drinking. I remember my first case was truancy (playing hooky from school) and then later I progressed to other crimes like robbery, Grand theft Auto and drug felonies. I tried High School (BOK area, vocational, technical School), at first it was to be a cool experience. But it would get in the way of having fun, so after failing 9^th grade a second time, I finally left school. I would continue to have fun and get in trouble, while jumping from house to house, for about 10 years. Also managed to have a Daughter (Andrea) in 1990 from one girl and 1992 had a son (Tommy) in 1992.

After a few rehabs, a few suicides, and a few jail sentences, God graced me with enough sanity to stay sober for 8 years. They were the best quality years of my life. I left Philadelphia, the year 2000 and moved to Bordentown with the woman I loved(Susan).

I stopped going to meetings, a year later I would return to drinking and drugging. I tried to keep myself and the family together for as long as I could without having the steps or my Higher Power in my life. It took three years to get back to the program.

I got back June 15, 2003 after getting arrested for drunk driving and drunken disorderly (fighting with the county police). Than, I realized I was still trying to hold myself and my Family together and it wasn’t working. That’s when I met Gez at the Malvern Retreat at St. Joseph’s. He offered me this opportunity at Tabor House, so that I can reevaluate my life and my recovery without outside distractions.

I’m currently sober 10 months. I have great sponsor. I have a awesome home group which I am in service with. I make many meetings. I continue to work the 12 steps.  I am starting healthy relationships with good friends in the program and the quality of my life is being restored to sanity thanks to my Higher Power putting the Tabor House in my life and for that I am GRATEFUL!