Zak, Brian Son

"Skateboarder", Web design, Film Editor

Broken Tibia, Broken Nose, Teeth through his Tongue, and now broken wrist.

"Extreme Sports competitor"

Caution: Strong expletive Language "may" be used in some skateboarding video music!

www.rolleastcoast.com

How I will always remember my Dad

Brian & Zak outside local skate park, Eastern Pulse

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This Page is dedicated to my Mother and Father

Jeannette Mildred & Ernest Emil DePiero"

of Our Life / Business and "Relationships".

Fathers Nickname “Dip” –  Known to many as Ernie”

Founder - Owner of Aerial Lift Repair, Inc DBA-Aerial Lift Inc

www.aeriallift.com  1958  to present

571 Plains Rd Milford CT  06461

Ernest was born in Milford Ct on July 6 1934, Died Oct. 3, 2004

Wife – Jeannette M. Frawley DePiero – Married 1955

Children – Brian  & Cheryl

Grandchildren Lindsay & Zak

Grandfather Ernesto – Born 1895 Died 1979

Grandmother Mary Born 1895 died 1947

Father & Mother – Ernesto and Mary DePiero. Born Cordonouns Italy, Came through Ellis Island in 1921.

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Me and Libby Visited the Little town of Cordenon's Italy in October of 2008

I was the first of our ANY of my family to visit there since 1921 when my grandparents left to come to America through Ellis Island. 

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This collogue of photos was a dedication to my dad in a national magazine

1934

        Ernest E. DePiero was born in Milford CT on the 6^th day of July 1934. Raised at 587 plains road. As a child Ernest grew up on a small farm, which the house is still in front of Aerial Lift known today. He would tell me that he had a Shetland pony he would ride and one day was behind it and kicked him in the shin. There was a chip in the bone that lasted and reminded him all the time. His Mother would send him to the chicken coupe and was told to break a raw egg and eat it warm every day. At the age of 6 when he was going into First grade the teachers told him to come back when he spoke English and not Italian. His older sisters Lillian and Anna both taught him and was than allowed into school the next year.

1949

     Growing up the neighbors at Kuchma’s Farm would allow him to come over and farm and hunt on the property. George Kuchma better known as skeeter decided to give my Father a nickname at the age of 15 because many people would pronounce it with an "I" instead of "E" DiPiero and that would last his life time “Dip”

    My Grandmother Mary which died when my Father was about the age of 13 and the one promise he made to her before her death was to graduate High School and he was the first graduating class in the new Milford High School on the corner of West River St and West Main St. The School closed in approx: 1983 and is know known as the City of Milford Government Center.

1950

     My Dad was also interested in Motorcycles, which he called "Machines" and had a variety of them from Harleys to Indians to BSA’s. He told me that when he bought his first BSA it was the fastest machine of its time. One day while riding his Harley he as in the Devon area of Milford and there was two dogs, one a collie and the other a German Shepard. He knew that they he been known to chase and bite those who rode Motorcycles. As he approached the area he saw the two of them charging after him but my father always carried a round pipe about 18 inches long stuck along side of the saddle bags and was able to hit both dogs. He drove by days later seeing both dog’s heads were bandaged up but were not dead and from then on they never chased another machine. Another time he told me he was riding either the Harley or Indian and the front brake cable was broken. The only brake he had as the rear, but remember the clutch was foot driven with a suicide shift. He said he came to a steep hill at a traffic light and when was ready to take off if was an act of God to put both feet on the running boards one holding the brake and the other to push in the clutch simultaneously and shift into gear and let the clutch out, he said he made it but finally fixed the front brake. Another time he come home and forgot to put his kickstand down and it fell on top of him pinning him under the hot bike until George Kuchma known as skeeter heard him yelling and came over and helped him lift it off. He was lucky not to have been burned very bad.

   My Dad also worked at Jimmy’s of Savin Rock in West Haven at the age of 15 for short while. When he got his license he starting riding with his friends and they would go to the West Haven Beach and play it cool pulling up to Jimmies, the first guy would come in close to the curb slam on his brakes in the sand and the rear tire would skid to a stop with the bike facing out towards to the street and the rear tire up against the curb and he would get off.  The next guy would have to do the same without hitting the bike that just parked.

     One day it was my Fathers turn, while all the rest were already parked,  He came in to do the same but the problem was as he started to skid and there was no sand and skidded straight into the machines in front of him and they all went down like dominos. He said all his friends laughed.  He also in the same time frame was heading home in Milford and on _________________ St he did not make the turn and would up in the brush in an field and fell. His friends were a little behind him and did not see him go down. They turned around and searched and he was picking up his Bike and on his way out. This would be the same corner that my sister 25 years later would go off the road and hit a tree where there are now homes built.

     My Dad had to also work hard very because with the death of his mother at the age of 14 they need as much income as possible. Living with his Father and sisters at the Age of 18 he was looking for a full time Job.

    One day having Breakfast at the Milford Diner my dad was introduced by friends Dave Petro and Joyce Hatrick to a young beautiful woman that he went to school with but did not really know named Jeannette M. Frawley, My Mother. After a while of conversation than dating my mom had asked if he knew of anyone hiring because she was in need of a job, he said T.E.Y manufacturing they are looking for office personnel. My mom applied at T.E.Y manufacturing on Ford St, Milford which is now known as the City of Milford Public Works Department Garage in 1952.  They were the first Bucket truck manufacture in the country and put their name together and called it T.E.Y. Manufacturing. This was done by the last letter of the three owners last name. Art HunT, Wayne PiercE and Dave RicheY.  My Dad told me when he started he believes it was the 13^th  unit being built when he started working for T.E.Y. in 1950 the same year the started manufacturing what they called the Sky Lift Bucket truck eventually becoming know as “Skyworker.”

The Photo to the left is Vince Rinebuger in the 1950s  Sky-Lift an affiliate Engineer and friend. Vince is the designer of what is know as the link on the Aerial Lift known today.

A co-worker named Otto Hoffmiller took my father under his wing and acted like a second Father. Not to many years later Otto Died and Ernest took his son Rick Hoffmiller under his wing and now Ernest became the Father. T.E.Y manufacturing was also the First Manufacturer of the snow making machine and demonstrated the first time in the summer of the late 40s and the first one was sold to a ski mountain in west Mass. They also made a aluminum ski for head manufacturing but did failed after about a year or so on the market. Vince Reinburg another Friend and Engineer would test the ski’s and was the New England Down hill champion for 2 straight years in the 40s

1952

     My Mom Jeannette Lived by her self 150 Maple St Milford. My Mom and Dad now worked at T.E.Y Manufacturing together and asking her out and also taking her for a ride on one of his Machines (Motorcycles) over the next few years. After dating steadily for over a year or so, Ernest had to go to Texas on a road trip for a month for work and asked Jeannette to marry her. Three days later they were married and spent the next month on a business trip together. While my Dad worked my Mom spent time on the Texas south shore beaches.  My Mother said my Father fainted when they drew blood from his finger to get their marriage license, she thought that was funny for a strong Man. Jeannette was now pregnant and will delivered Brian in November of 1956.

My Mother was the first woman in the country to go straight up in a two boom Bucket truck the approx age of 22 years old

1957 

      Things were going pretty well, My Dad decided he wanted a boat and purchase a 17ft runabout in 1957. My Dad told me that while under way on the boat I would sleep in the forward berth and they could see underneath me while hitting choppy waters in Long Island Sound.

1958

    Then in 1958 my Mom was pregnant for the second time delivering my sister Cheryl in July of 1958 the same year T.E.Y. manufacturing also decided to sell. A company out of Hartford Called Maxwell Emhart purchased the manufacturing plant and moved all it’s belonging to Hartford CT. Over the years my Dad worked there, he also become the road service department repairing any problems which they had spinning wrenches in the Ice, Snow, rain till he could not feel his fingers at times it was so cold but loved every minute of it determined to make it big one day.  

    My  Dad Decided he was not going to travel to Hartford every day so he and my Mom had $13.00 to there name and took a chance and he started a small business Called Aerial Lift Repair. My Mother would then become the bookkeeper and any thing it took in the office at home. They took out loans and went into debt for long periods of time. He had a good close friend Hank Zentick that would loan him cash and hand it to him in a paper bag. Hank loaned Thousands of dollars at an interest rate of 1-1/2 to 2 percent and was better than any bank at that time. He had a toolbox and a pickup truck and from there it was word of mouth. Over the next couple of years struggling to make ends meet business was picking up. Bringing in business from Con Edison, CL&P and Martin J Kelly, Kelly’s Tree Service and Bill Devaney one of his first Tree companies besides Utility companies called Intrastate Tree. My Mother said if it was not for Martin J Kelly Sr., she believes they would not have made it in business.

        He than decided to rent a bay garage from Twin lights auto Body, owned by Charley and Mary Barrelli  at the time was located on RT 1 Post Road near Paul’s hamburger until they moved to New Haven Ave where they still do business. He figured now that some work was coming in he need to hire his first employee, his name is Bill Fiehn.

     In 1959 Maxwell Manufacturing  sold to a gentle man named Glen Way in Ohio and then was called Correct Manufacturing.

1962

In about 1962 my Dad decided he wanted his own shop, he had the property behind the house located on about 7 –8 acres. He walked back about 400 feet and said this is where I want the building. If you are at Aerial Lift today, it would be the first Bay door to the very left front side. It would have room for 2 bucket trucks at a time, offices up and down stairs and a work bench. He also purchased a fiat Car for Personal use. 

     Once the building was completed it was nonstop work, 24/7. He now became the service center for Sky-workers throughout New England. Now that his new building was completed and going after all the work he could, he needed to hire more employees, Bob Wheeler lived across the street was hired and my uncle Albert also helped out when needed. As time went on there were other employees hired named, Bernie Bolanger, and Lenny Wheeler and than needed a welder Gary Greer and my Aunt and Uncle Lillian and George Romer.

One of my  Fathers older sisters Lillian and her husband George Romer both started working at Aerial Lift  in the early 60s. Lillian doing office work and my Uncle working in the shop doing various Jobs. I can remember working with my Uncle installing, and painting Utility truck bodies for many customers and also installing 12v electric tail gates. Before the Safety and She laws I can remember using a forklift known as a Yale tow-motor. When asked to pull one down stacked 3 high at a height of about 15ft  to a ceiling of 22ft to the bottom. Using the longest extension forks being up at that height when trying to unload off the stack the forklift was not heavy enough with counter weight to remove them. I would Call all employees and told them to stand on the back of the fork-lift to counter the weight to bring down the utility body, not the safest way but we got the job done. Me and my uncle would eventually start to take trips to Cleveland Ohio to pick up (Use's) utility service vehicles. After picking up (2) USV,s  at the age of 18. I went home to find one of my moms friends from Missouri and when I was asked to go get the mail on the way back I stepped on a cut down rose bush and split the bottom of my foot open. after my Mom helping me bandage my foot Ginny had to leave. A short while later my Dad came home.

My Father was than introduced to a man Phil C. Guild. Phil was a Manufactures representative and would sell Sky-workers to all the Utilities and Tree service companies and between the two of them they were the best working team, Phil would sell them and my father would service them.

Since trimming of the trees was needed my father inquired and became a Miller - Robinson Limb-Lopper Dealer better know today as Fairmont / Greenlee. A man named Jim Robinson one of the owners would travel the country to sell his products to various dealers that he had set up. I can remember Jim coming to our house to have Dinner when in the area selling to my dad. At that time and through the early to mid 70s they were all pneumatic, meaning they were air operated. In order to run any of the pruners, recipicating,  circular, hedge trimmers and pole chainsaws, they needed a power source and it was called a pony motor. A pony motor was a small horse power gas motor with an air compressor attached to it. The Air lines would run the entire length from the Deck of the Sky-worker through the lower and upper boom to the bucket know as a Crows Nest where the men would work from was a quick release air coupler mounted and about an 8 ft air line attached to the Tool being used.

In 1962 My dad decided he wanted a new boat and he was told about a 25 foot fiberglass boat named Bertram. Since Fiberglass was new to the industry and he was brought to Florida where they were manufactured. It was a Deep V Hull style with a hardtop and pop up table and sleeping berths, sink, stove and a Head. It was powered by twin 110 Mercury Marine Inboard Outboard drives. My dad told me  when the sales man took him for a ride he was running about 25 knots and sat a glass of champagne on the Motor cushion and took a quick turn around and than in the other direction without it spilling  and that sold my dad and purchased on. We kept our Boat at Art Kelly’s Marina in Milford at the Devon George Washington Bridge. I can remember going to Port Jefferson and the dolphins would be swimming along side of us. My Mom and Dad would both water ski. We would spend much time in the Port Jefferson bay and climb the sand dunes, swim and catch  little crabs on the beach. We would also fish in Long Island Sound for Blue Fish trolling or bottom fish for Flounder.

1963

This was the year my Dad taught me to drive his pickup truck with a 4 speed standard transmission. I can remember going from the shop driveway, all stone at that time to a driveway entrance to our house by the Old pare Tree and Outhouse. 

1965

      In 1965 My Dad decided he wanted a little bigger boat and sold the 25fter and bought a used 31 ft Bertram from the town of Greenwich CT. I was called the Q.E.D. My Dad figured he would keep the name since he said is stood for “Q”cute Ernest DePiero. It was an experimental Boat between Bertram and Mercury and Powered by twin Chevy 409 ci. with Mercury out drives. It has a top speed of just over 50 MPH making it the fastest boat in all of the Housatonic river where even the coast guard could not keep up.

      I can remember running wide open  with the engine compartment up the air cleaners off and me and Phil Lepage another Aerial Lift employee said to me I don’t think you could pour two Coke bottles down those carburetors faster. One day my family was going out for the day on the boat, as we tried to leave the boat did not seem to be moving so my Dad decided to give it more gas and as we look back the who dock is starting to come with us as we forgot to Undo one of the stern lines and almost pulled the docks away, we all laughed. In 1969 my dad sold his boat. The Q.E.D was known for many blown fan belts and blown head gaskets.

The Industry was in need to of a Cable Carrier, or underground Cable puller so my Dad and his former boss Dave Richey went into partners and started another company called the 4/C Colonial Cable Carrier Corp. Dave Richey's design was about 25 years ahead of its time but was the best even into the later 90s. There were 2 basic designs, they both were operated by a 60 Hp Wisconsin Pony motor, it maneuvered by a remote pendent that had a nose wheel, paddle wheels that drove the large wheels with air brakes. The nose wheel would raise and lower off the pintal hook from the back of the towing truck and would also steer the carrier to its destination. It would travel a two speeds and the largest carrier was capable of carrying a 20,000 lb real. it would lift up from the rear side.

This was about the same year that I was taken for a ride on the back of a Harley Davidson by Ricky Hoffmiller from our house on Plains Rd. We also had a Collie Dog named Sammy who was now 14 years old. I can remember going outside to look for him and he was no where to be found. My Mom and Dad said let eat dinner than we will go look for him, he was never found. I was told that Dogs and many animals at a age where there is no time left will find there way to a quiet place in the woods or a secluded area and lay down and die.  

1967

I Bought my first motorcycle, a 80cc Suzuki enduro sold to and taught to ride by Lenny Wheeler. We went out for 4 hours through the trails behind Aerial Lift.

I can remember flying to Florida with my Parents to visit my Grandparents with friend John Kuchma. My Grandfather would take us around the corner from their home in Lake Park  to Singer Island to the Blue Heron fishing Boats. We would catch King Fish to Barracuda,  Red Grouper to anything we could catch. My Grandfather was a butcher by trade and would filet them for us to eat. My Grandfather was the first person to take me to the local beach canal to show me what was call the sea cow known to me years later as a manatee. 

1969

At home one day driving cars and trucks all the time my Dad lets go to pasquales Pizza on RT 1 about 2 miles from our house and through me the keys to his Chevy Caprice

1972

My first trip by myself and friends to Florida by car at the age of 16. I blew a fan belt and decided to back in to an orange grove and where there a cop pulled up asking what were doing, he let us go with a warning.  

1974

Once my Dad came home and asked how my trip was that my Uncle George had from Stalh utilities Body manufacturer in Cleveland OH.  I said it as good except for my foot that I split open a little while ago when I got home. My Dad had a habit to pull my hair and had a few drinks in him. My Father sitting at the  kitchen table against the back window in my house on 29 Bolt Lane Milford he started pulling my hair again, I said please do not your hurting me. He started pulling harder so at the age of 18 and my Dad a very demanding person,  I grabbed him, picked him up, threw him across the kitchen and he almost went down the stairs in our raised ranch home.  My Dad got up grabbed me from behind and I had on a large heavy chain around my neck that he twisted and started to chock me to death. My Mom can out screaming and beating on my Dad who finally stopped  got up and my Mom said do not ever come back to this house and divorced the following year.  I wore a scare around my neck for more than 2 weeks where the chain was being embedded onto it. My Dad cried many times after talking to his new girlfriend Joanne Farrace of 25 years. 

1975

Me and John Kuchma decide to move and live in Florida with my Grandparents in Johns van. We would switch drivers while doing 60 Mph and back than I-95 was not finished. You had 302 in the Carolinas and you had to get off in Atlanta GA for a few miles. John got a Job at the McDonalds up the street impressing the manager and others not knowing he holding the highest dollar per hour record in Milford Devon's McDonalds where he was the head cook and for a few years.  

1976

This was the year I started working for my Dad on a full time basis, being employed part time through High School for the 4 years prior at Milford High and an on and off relationship with my Dad and a gas station B&B Gulf  also employed next to Howard Johnson's where the Athena Diner now exists across from UNO Pizza.  Jack Lebrocq and Bill Finch were 2 other employees employed at the same time. During this time my Dad decided to put Ricky Hoffmiller in charge to run his shop, remember there were 13 total employees including me. The majority of employees did not like the way Ricky was running Aerial Lift Repair complained so they decided to get the local Union in. Since I was the vote they were to challenged we lost and the Union took over.

My Dad was the best to all the guys at the shop, he would let them work on their cars or what ever they wanted on and off hours after work and weekends, they all had keys to get in.  This now all ended and everyone was given only 40 hours a weeks of work with no over time and no benefits to work in the shop after hours. It took only one year and the entire shop employees voted the Union OUT. Ricky was no longer in charge and my Dad took over from there. 

1979

I decided quit my Dad which I thought was the final time and move to Florida after working and fighting with him for the last 7 years and live with my Mothers Mom Floreda and Step Grandfather John Roseberry. I was there about a week when my mom came down to visit and was with my girlfriend that I just broke up to before I left Vicky Munroe. My Dad called and said can we try one more time so me and Vicky rode back on my Bike stopping in Daytona Beach Fla, Rocky Mount North Carolina and got home Sunday May 30th 1979 to find that a good friend John Kuchma was hit be a car on his Motorcycle. He is doing very well to day for those who ask.  I thought I taught him to stay away from getting hit.  

1980

The First Aerial Lift AL/50C sold to Bartlett Tree Experts purchased by Jack Dunlap.1980 was also a good year when my Dad broke my balls to buy a boat since he has not owned one in 11 years and did not know if you wanted one himself.  I bought a Boat the same size and year of one of his 1962, 25ft Bertram bought as the Lilly May and changed the name to NO FREE RIDES and many moms are still talking about it today. Our  Madon Voyage was with my Dad, Jack Dunlap, Bob Antonio and his girl friend Rich Mitchell and my first wife Lesley and a couple others I cannot think of at the moment. We forgot to put the stern plug in when loaded it off the trailer at the Milford Launch Ramp. By the time we got to Spencer's Marina we noticed the water in the bilge. My Dad made me jump over the stern, lay across the out drives now in the cold waters of late April and put my finger in the hole while someone went back to the ramp to get the plug. My Dad  tied a line around my waist and tied it to the stern rail so I would not fall in. It was only about 10 Minutes but I was so week being wet, cold and tired but we made it and went for our ride. My Dad asking for a Drink as one motor was over heating. Jack was so tired and fall asleep while we loaded the boat back on the trailer and brought it back to Aerial lift where he woke up and asked where are we.

1983

My Father and I were are Tree preservation in White Plains NY on our way back in his 1983 Chevy caprice and he asked me if I would like to sell. We talked about a salary of $350.00 I told him I make that in a 40 hour week and work 55 to 65 hours a week with 15 to 25 hours of time and a half over time.

Was the first year for me to sell Aerial Lifts and to have our first Car Phones. The first one was installed in My Dads car for $4000.00 and one month later I had one installed for $2500.00 Me and Bob Antonio were the first to build and run the Newest Model Aerial Lift called the "Link" known today. I can remember running the upper cylinder with no upper boom attach and it worked like a charm.

In order to try to increase business my dad ordered 6 Ford F-700 Medium duty truck chassis from Bridge haven Ford in Milford and 6 Arbortech chip box, saddle box and cab guard to be brought in by flat bed from Wooster Ohio. It took to much time to fit and install the Arbortech packages than have to paint them, plus at times when the paint had runs in it we had to sand and repaint. We were going in the wrong direction so I told my Father that I have a plan. I called up Arbortech and had sent them the chassis specification and the Aerial Lift dimensions needed space behind the truck and had asked John Fremil can you mount and paint them so we can get it as a completed package just leaving us just enough room to mount the 50ft Aerial Lift.  It was a great success with a few minor adjustment we were now able to make money on the chassis and body and not do any of the work. This procedure is still used today in the year 2010.   

My Contact, sales person and friend John Fremil of less than an year  had died   in a car accident along with his girl friend in October of 1983.  Keith Barr who took his place and we became good friends and business associates till I left in 11 years later.

1984

I started dealing with the Buyer Dean Snider of NPC leasing who was not there very long till Dick McNulty took his place. I  was asked to meet him  for the first time as I leave the CTPA in Southington Ct at the end of January to meet him at Pier 4 Restaurant in Boston. 

I was married for the first time to Lesley.

1985

1986

1987

My Daughter Lindsay was born April 1

1988

My Sister left Aerial Lift and moved to Florida because she said she could not take the arguing between me and our Dad. Cheryl would not talk to me for many years and took sides with Dad. Me and Deborah an employee starting dating while I was in the middle of a divorce.

1989

In about the year of 1989 Aerial Lift offered a Hydraulic Chipper built on under the chip box so you would not have to have any in tow. We had sold many to Lucas and Woods Tree services and Maine since 1983. We had always tried to sell to Asplundh Tree Experts com, the largest Tree service company in the world. Since they were competitors in manufacturing Bucket Trucks and they had control to supply themselves for any contracts they were interested in our Hydraulic chipper. I have been working on them for some time and are now going to have my chance. My Father could not believe they were even coming even though we were all friends and would see each other at trade shows around the country. I had spent 4 hours with them and once were finished and they were getting to leave they said to me. " If you answered the first few questions any different then you did we would have left". It was the honesty and they ordered their first one.   

1990

My son Zak was born Sept 1

1991

I married for the second time, my wife Deborah who had been working for Aerial Lift since 1979and ran the entire office and took care of all my Dads personal banking accounts for many years.

1992

1993

After many years of harassment from my Dad over different issues always telling me why don't you leave and try it on your own. In September I gave my final notice to leaving Aerial Lift and said I would like till Spring to leave.  The following morning he sat at my desk and want to know if I really was leaving, I said yes it is what you have wanted to for some time now and he almost broke down in tears. The next day we were enemy's over the next 5 months yelling and screaming at each other.

1994

 My last day at Aerial Lift was Feb 28, 1994 after being there for 23 years of dedication.

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1994 to 2004 The lost years

 My Father would not talk to me since the day I quit even after writing him many times with many returned envelops and some of my letters never opened and I would never get the chance to work out our difference's. My sister would not also talk to me for many years because of Dad giving her an ultimatum, its me or your brother.

 One day in about the year 2000 when my Mother was at my house and started crying because she said I do not want to go to my grave knowing you and your sister are not talking. As soon as my Mom left I took off across town and decided to knock on my sisters door and when she answered I said your going to either let me in or tell me to leave, We spent many hours and started our relationship again. I had asked her what are you going to tell Dad and she said Ill have to figure out how to deal with him.

I thought back and believe if I did not leave when I did, I would have aged by at least 10 years or worse and are glad of the decision I had made. Giving up a 6 digit figure income, company cars, credit cards and dining out still crosses my mind but I know I did the right thing for me. Financially I struggled since but always found ways to give my family the best as possible things. 

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October 3, 2004

It was late Sunday Morning and I was at my neighbors house having coffee with Dan Duhamel, I than received a call from my Mom crying and telling me that me my Father may be dead. With tears in my eyes I ran home and drove to my Dads house which was surrounded by many cop cars and people around. I found out that he commit suicide using a 38 cal piston.  His Girl Friend had left his house that morning to come back to find all the doors locked or nailed shut where she could not even get in and had to go the his business next door to ask an employee to break in because there must be something wrong, He would be the one to find my Dad in the basement with a note. 

A day or so  later My sister asked me if I would come to the lawyers office only to find out that our Dad left his entire estate to my sister and 1 dollar to me.  I was asked by Howard the Lawyer to sign the will.  I asked one single question, is any other person written in the will to get anything except my sister,  Howard replied, no. Howard said IF I do not sign and I contest the Will my Dads company will Fail almost immediately because it is almost at the breaking point of bankruptcy and the Bond that Aerial Lift would have to put down would not make it financially and have to close so I thought I would do the right thing by signing it over the her so the 2 dozen or so left employees which many were my friends will still have a job.

I was not asked for more that a year and a half later at the end of March of 2006  by my sister if I would like to come back to work at Aerial Lift. I thought about it and decided to give it a another chance telling her if our relationship is in jeopardy at any point again because of the business I may have to leave, she says do you think this could happen so I started the first week of April.  Not knowing what I would be doing being out of the business for 12 years but with much knowledge still embedded in my head, Cheryl had taken on a dealership of chippers and stump grinders, products I was familiar with but never sold or serviced and had to start all over again. My sister had been working for the company again after giving up her trade in the physical therapy world and giving it a try at selling cars for a local dealer. Again she helped out in filing and doing minor jobs plus picking up customers, going to trade shows and going to the post office and driving Dad around but never getting to involved in knowing how the product or business really works.

While there and doing a fairly good job selling the newly adopted products I asked if I could rebuild their old website to a more modern with many photos of all products, options and services offered. I have been in to photography for many years and knew the product since I helped Implement many designs and fixtures and a mechanical background within the Aerial Lift in its days of birth of manufacturing our own first bucket truck back in 1980 called the AL-50C Aerial Lift.  

In October of 2007, 18 months later I decided to leave again for a final time because the relationship with my sister and her boyfriend, now the general Manager was deteriorating rapidly over a some time.

It was now years after my Dad had died and finally decided to go to town hall to get a copy of his Will. After reading it in its entirety finding out that I was not allowed on the property along with my son who is his only grandson and 13 years old at the time,  if stepped on the property my sister was to have a restraining order against me. As you can see she did not obey Dads wishes and at least I was given a chance but I was left Nothing from Dads Personal and business estate.  Our relationship is shaky to date but civil.

Brian

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Page Under construction

Bob Antonio employed 1969, Bill Gavoili, Paul Petrsaonios,