Bio, 2014: Patrick Tominey
I told Ann I was somewhat reluctant to present my bio as I was only there for a year and a half, December 1962 until graduation. However, having seen how many people responded I thought I should anti-up too. Stillwater was my third high school but it was my graduation school, so here goes.
Born April 1946 on a dairy farm in New Jersey (it wasn’t my fault) and consequently, I grew up milking cows and shoveling you know what. My Irish immigrant father died before I was born so when my mother remarried, it was to an Air Force officer and we left New Jersey, in the middle of my sophomore year, for Lajes AFB in the Azores, Portugal. We subsequently left there in December of 1962 for Stillwater, where my father was a student at OSU.
Being a newcomer in a small town where everyone knows everyone else is not the easiest thing but fortunately, I had football to integrate me into the school. Gary King was my hang around buddy and a great guy; I wish I had kept up with him. I also wish I had contributed more to a very good football team but I was pretty mediocre among a very good group of athletes. I do remember the state championship game as being the most difficult conditions I have ever played in and I did play two years in New Jersey prior to coming to Stillwater.
As many of you did, I attended OSU for my Freshman year; however, I wasn’t particularly interested in school at that time and as a result, I earned my only “F” in library science. I thought it was a stupid subject and didn’t go to class and OSU showed me who was really stupid with a well deserved “F”. BTW, Steve Suddeth and I were both in Phi Kappa Tau; another quality guy who I wish I had kept in contact with.
After that freshman year, I moved to Utah and later in the year joined the Army. After basic, I went to flight school as a Warrant Officer Candidate and upon graduation with my wings, or more accurately, with my rotary wings, I went off to Vietnam for the first of two tours flying in the 175th Assault Helicopter Company; one tour in slicks and one in guns. Just before the completion of my second tour, I was wounded and evacuated back to the states; they fired mortars at a special forces camp, I fired rockets at them, which was fair, but then they shot me, which really wasn’t called for.
I wound up staying in the Army and became an Infantry officer and did Airborne/Ranger training but spend most of my time in aviation or logistics units. I was stationed all over the US, 13 states in all, and in Germany for 5 years, which was a great stepping off location for exploring Europe in free time. I retired after 24 years and became a house dad for my two boys while my wife, an Army Nurse, worked on her career. I took up sports officiating in soccer and basketball and still do both to this day. Nice to have someone pay me to exercise and being around young athletes is very interesting; not so much with coaches or fans!
My personal life has not been as orderly as my professional side. For those keeping track, I did marry Sandy Ormond in Utah prior to entering the service; however, she wound up divorcing me as I was headed back to Vietnam on my second tour. Two children with her resulting in 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, all in Utah. About 10 years later I married an Army Nurse and we made it for 30 years until we went our individual ways. Again, 2 children and 2 grand children; one family in Kansas and one in Connecticut.
Currently living in South Boston, MA. I have never been much of a city boy, having spent most of my years in the West, but I do enjoy Boston. I have to wrap my head in duct tape to forestall an exploding head as I deal with all the liberals that control the North East but once you get past that, all is well. For about 7 months of the year, I am busy with sports and during the remaining summer months, I travel to visit family and friends.
I hope that everyone has a great 50th reunion!
All the best, Patrick
©2009 Stillwater High School Class of 1964