||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS BY EDEE KULPER |||

Dave Blisard is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. He’s genuine. He’s hardworking. He’s approachable. He’s humble. He sees the best in people and, it seems to me, he brings out the best in people. Dave strikes me as a good listener, but I bet he’s someone who has interesting stories to tell and significant nuggets of wisdom to pass on. If you don’t know him yet, here are 27 things about Dave Blisard…

1. My grandfather did not allow Italian to be spoken at home because his wife was Irish.
2. I have two older brothers – Bobby is twelve years older and Jimmy was eight.
3. I was raised by a single mother who is the strongest person I know and my biggest hero.
4. My father was a WWII vet.
5. My great uncle Lou Gatta was one of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.
6. My great aunt Mary Dobbs was Wild Bill Hickock’s common-law wife.
7. I was born in Chester, PA.
8. I was a minority where I grew up.
9. I have a degree in electromech engineering.
10. All of my children have college degrees.
11. My son has won “Teacher of the Year” – and still teaches me.
12. One of my daughters has several published novellas under the name Allison Gatta.
13. I once did special effects for The Sugarhill Gang at The Crystal Tea Room in Philly.
14. I have seen The Grateful Dead in over 20 different venues in eight different states.
15. I believe that America is too worried about being politically correct instead of morally correct.
16. I retired from Wawa Beverage Company after 28 years of service.
17. I moved to Orcas Island seven years ago.
18. I think the island needs more activities for youths between the ages of 15-22, especially during evening hours.
19. I have watched the sun rise on the East Coast and set on the West Coast on the same day.
20. I have known my wife all her life.
21. Our first kiss was after a Pink Floyd Concert on September 17, 1987, at JFK Stadium in Philly.
22. She was my best friend’s little sister.
23. Our second kiss was not for another 30 years.
24. Thirty-three years to the day of our first kiss we were engaged at the same place with our friend Mike Schneebele playing “Wish You Were Here.”
25. I married the girl of my dreams at the Little Summit on June 7, 2022, as our friends Stephen Baker and Andy Rivera played “They Love Each Other” and “If I Had the World to Give” (our wedding song).
26. I enjoy being an island handyman.
27. I look forward to what every new day will bring.
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