Frank Jared Sprole – 50th Reunion Essay

Frank Jared Sprole

16 Trails End Rd

Wilton, CT 06897

jerrysprole@gmail.com

203-644-2571 cell; 203-762-8225

Spouse(s): Katherine Blakeslee (1969–1988), Beth Bridge (1991)

Child(ren): Jared K. Sprole (1970) Ann Sprole Cheston (1973) Robert B. Sprole, (1976), Sarah J. Sprole (1995), Madison P. Sprole (1997), Ethan S. Sprole (2001)

Grandchild(ren): Katherine Cheston (200), Aiden Sprole (2003), Julia Cheston (2005), Robert Sprole (2006), Tristan Sprole (2006), Avery Sprole (2009), Blakeslee Sprole 2009, Emmerson Sprole 2012, Logan Sprole 2016

Education: Yale College BA 1969

National Service: LT. USNR 1969-1973

Career: VP, Bank of Boston 1973-1981; VP of Finance, Intech Capital 1981-1984; Founder & CEO LTI 1984-2014

Avocations: Wilton Congregational Church (various since 1981); Keystone House (Board Member since 1989)

College: Davenport

Graduate late May, get married June 14th, report for active duty July 7th, first child born June 22, 1970. Seems ridiculous today, but back then I knew all the answers and was in total control. What a trip since! Best gift from Yale has proved to be relationships, most especially those with our group of Whiffenpoofs. In retrospect, I have learned that the most important gifts of life have been relationships and family: three wonderful children and nine fun grandchildren shared with former wife and friend, Kathie; three amazing younger children with most patient, understanding, and accepting wife and soulmate, Beth. I have also been blessed with numerous strong and continuing friendships from Davenport, USS Corry DD817 and USS Severn AO-61, Bank of Boston, Intech Capital, and a 30-year run with LTI, a venture debt/leasing company founded with two friends in 1984.

With the Yale experience and diploma giving me a distinct advantage in life’s journey, on-the-job training and wise mentors were responsible for most of my professional and financial successes. Of course, it was not always smooth sailing, especially in starting my own company from scratch.

A more meaningful and transformative education, however, has come through my personal journey toward some modicum of maturity and spiritual happiness. After 15 years of marriage I was divorced and “hit the wall” emotionally. Suddenly (to me) my perfect life cratered, and I was totally unprepared to face a reality I couldn’t fix. This resulted in some pretty depressed times. Happily, with the help of some wise professionals, a support network, and close friends, I have enjoyed over three decades of a very joyous life. Not to be overlooked, mini-reunions with our close-knit 1969 Whiffenpoof group every three years or so have also proved extraordinarily uplifting.

Initially retirement proved to be very unsatisfying. Refocusing on some past relationships, increased physical activities, and heavy involvement in several not-for-profit organizations have now filled the calendar to overflowing. Then too, with one daughter just graduating from college and moving to full-time employment in New York City, second daughter in Davenport Y’2019, and youngest son a high school junior, parental involvements thereto continue apace. Finally, I have enjoyed taking Yale Alumni College courses back in New Haven. They are held in the old dining room of DKE in the AYA building and frequently offer a special opportunity for dinner with my daughter. Maybe you “can’t go home again,” but this is certainly approaching full-circle.