My magnificent Dad in his flying machine
Perfecting Equilibrium Volume Three, Issue 10
Up, down, flying around
Looping the loop and defying the ground
And they're all frightfully keen
Those magnificent men in their flying machines
They can fly upside down with their feet in the air
They don't think of danger. They really don't care
Newton would think he had made a mistake
To see those young men and the chances they take
The Sunday Reader, June 16, 2024
Tony Feola enlisted in the US Navy the day he turned 17. A month later the Japanese surrendered and World War II ended.
For the rest of his life Tony told anyone and everyone that the Japanese surrendered rather than face him in battle.
After his short stint as a seaman Tony worked as a diesel mechanic, and then entered the home building trades, soon becoming a master floor layer. He found the business side of construction more interesting, however, and founded two companies. Twilight Homes and Legend Estates built hundreds of residences in Deer Park, Brookhaven and surrounding Long Island towns during the 60s, 70s and 80s, most of which are still home to Long Islanders today.
Tony always had a fierce interest in flying. He earned a private pilot’s license, reconditioned a biplane, then went through a series of single-wing planes culminating in a Navion. As his family grew he gave up direct ownership of planes, but continued to fly rentals and trainers into his 80s.
He never lost his fascination for the sea. He taught generations of children to fish, and built a house on Smith Creek in Hampton Bays. He spent the 70s and 80s prowling Shinnecock Bay in a 15-foot open skiff he dubbed “El Tub” as the scourge of fluke, flounder and porgies.
Tony has been gone for a decade. Still miss you every day, Pop.
Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers. There is no greater title.
Next on Perfecting Equilibrium
Tuesday June 18th - The PE Digest: The Week in Review and Easter Egg roundup
Thursday June 20th - The PE Vlog- Creating a new version of the Pentax Forums YouTube intro bumper
Friday June 21st - Foto.Feola.Friday
Sunday June 23rd: The Reader — About that time I almost killed a man…with a pointed question “I thought you killed him,” the other reporter said as we walked out to the car. “You thought I INTERVIEWED him to death?!?” I said. But then I admitted “Actually it terrified me, too.”