Faith Staff

I have lived in south county all my life. I was raised, along with an older brother and a younger sister, by my mother from an Italian Immigrant family, while my father worked as a police officer in the St. Louis City Jail. I attended the Hancock Place School District for my K-12 education and graduated in 1983. I received a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Missouri - St. Louis and began teaching in the Fox C-6 School District in the fall of 1989. I later received my master’s degree from Webster University. I retired after 30 years of teaching children with special needs (14 years in elementary and 16 years in middle school). Along the way, I met and married my wonderful wife, Lori, in the summer of 1994. We have three children: Adeline, Joey, and Jack.

Although I was baptized, raised, and confirmed Lutheran, Lori and I were married, and our daughter, Adeline, was baptized at Seven Holy Founders in Affton. Soon Afterwards, we began looking for a new church home, one that felt more welcoming to parents of young children. In 2001 we attended Faith Oakville for the first time. The feeling of family soon became obvious. Faith was a place where people of all ages and circumstances came to worship and welcomed others to do the same. Not only did I hear Christ-centered teachings, but I also heard the songs of joy that were in response to knowing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, it was the joy reflected on the faces of those who worshipped around us that impacted me the most.

Retirement has made it possible for me to prioritize and enjoy the blessings of family and friends. It has also given me an increased opportunity to serve and the ability to be available when needed. I still love working with others, as well as learning and sharing even more about God’s great love. I feel quite blessed to have a wife who shared the desire for a greater relationship with God so many years ago.