A little about me
When I proposed to Kathleen 25 years ago, we never expected so many hurdles when we started planning our wedding ceremony. Because we are an interfaith couple we needed to make a very important decision: Who would marry us? A rabbi? A priest? A judge? We wanted a spiritual ceremony but we didn't want to offend anyone from either family.
Back in 1985 there were no 'interfaith' or 'non-denomination' ministers. Eventually we convinced Kathleen's wonderful priest to help us, but we had to hire a rabbi, a complete stranger. Shortly after our wedding I vowed that someday I would help couples (just like us) who wanted to be married but did not want to follow the ‘traditional wedding ceremony’ path. Twelve years ago, I became an ordained and performed my first wedding ceremony. Since then, I have performed over a thousand beautiful ceremonies - all types and styles of weddings throughout the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It has been the greatest joy of my life to help loving couples begin their new lives together as husbands and wives.
October 20, 1985 - The day I married my best friend
"My belief is that there is nothing on heaven or earth that should come between two people who love each other so much that they wish to publically declare their devotion and commitment to each other by getting married"
2 STRANGERS AND A WEDDING
I was honored to perform for the WPLJ radio contest "2 Strangers and a Wedding". (It had the largest audience of any wedding I've ever performed - Over 1.4 million listeners! The "wedding" was actually a contest in which the 'bride' and the 'groom' won an all expense paid 'reception' and 'honeymoon' to Barbados. Limos, dresses, tuxedos - everything was part of the prize.
The party took place at the
The fun part was that the "wedding" couple didn't get to meet face-to-face until the big day. Morning hosts Scott and Todd of WPLJ (in NYC) spent weeks arranging the party. I had a great time meeting the entire cast and crew of the show.
It was not an actual real wedding (there was no license), but it was a GREAT PARTY!
Personal Stuff about Me:
I'm 53 years old and I'm married (for 24 years!) to the most patient, caring and loving lady in the world (she made me say that). We have two beautiful, very intelligent and sweet girls in college who drive me crazy on a regular basis.
It's their job. I love them with all my heart.
(l to r) My Wife Kathleen, Patricia, Me and Rachel
Our family is completed by "Sophie". She was rescued from a "high kill" shelter in South Carolina where she was just hours from death. Sophie is 3 years old Saint Bernard - a big girl but she is definitely a sweet 'gentle giant".
Sophie loves to ride in the car, loves getting petted and meeting new dogs (and people). She was rescued by The Last Resort Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in West Milford, NJ.
And because one big dog wasn't enough, (and we are crazy) we've rescued Matthew. He is a 60 pound black labrador-chow mix (6 years old) and he knows how to fetch, give you his paw, and loves belly rubs, and he is very determined to, one day, catch a squirrel.
Matthew gets along great with his big sister, Sophie.
They have become inseperable.
We adopted Matthew from Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge in Oakland, NJ.
