Barry N. Greenberg – 50th Reunion Essay

Barry N. Greenberg

8741 SW 108 Street

Miami, FL 33176

bng6071@gmail.com

305-775-6255

Spouse(s): Mary K. Greenberg (1969)

Child(ren): Perci (Greenberg) Gomez (1976); Alexis Greenberg (1978)

Grandchild(ren): Ash Gomez (2010)

Education: University of Pennsylvania Law, 1973

National Service: US Army Reserve, 1970-1975

Career: Litigator, Miami FL for 41 years; Retired 2014

Avocations: Politics, Osher Lifelong Learning Courses, Physical Fitness

College: Berkeley

My life has been a happy journey. I was born on a dairy farm near Elmer, New Jersey. My dad was a wonderful, loving man; born in Lithuania, and still carrying a bit of the old world, but embracing the new. My mom was the classic Jewish mother, caring and strong.

I went to a small, rural elementary school with the same 25 kids for every grade from K-8. We were like brothers and sisters.

High school in a larger town 15 miles away was awkward, but still fun. It was there I met the love of my life, Mary Kotler. We’re still going strong.

One day, I was mysteriously called out of class to the office. A letter had arrived at our house that I had been admitted to Yale. What a surprise! My guidance counselor had said that no one from our school had ever been admitted to Yale.

A few months later, my parents drove me to New Haven to begin my freshman year. Their pride couldn’t have been greater. Dad hadn’t gone past eighth grade (he had to work) and Mom just went to high school. As for me, I couldn’t have been happier. I was on my own and going to college.

On my first day in the dorm, the culture shock began. One of my roommates brought a suitcase filled with hard liquor from New York City (it was legal at 18), and he proceeded to get everyone loaded. Another of my new friends asked me what I got on my AP’s and I asked, “What are AP’s?” Boy, did I have a lot to learn!

But Yale ultimately went well, and I learned to be a man during those years, and to think like one. This stood me in good stead at Penn Law, in the Army, and in life.

After law school, Mary and I moved to Miami for the good weather, tennis and, by the way, a paying job. I was the number two lawyer in a heretofore one-man firm. It was a great way to learn to try a case.

A few years went by, and Mary and I one day looked at each other and said, “Let’s have a baby.” Before we knew it, we had two kids, two jobs, and a mortgage.

Now the kids have grown up into fine adults—Perci and Alexis. We also have a wonderful grandson, Ash, and a granddaughter on the way. Of course we are ecstatic.

Like all families, we have had our share of bumps and bruises along the way. Even today, we are facing some serious health challenges, but we are doing it together with love and affection. What more could we want from life?