NPHS Reunion: NPHS Reunion Interview: Noel Marks, Class of 1969

Noel Marks, June 2017, Honfleur, France (in the Normandy region)

Tell us about your career

I was Senior Investigator, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage Hour Division from 1974 until my retirement in January 2015. I independently conducted investigations of covered employers to determine compliance with various Federal Labor Laws including the Fair Labor Standards Acts, Federal Minimum Wage Law, Child Labor Stands, Family Medical Leave Act, Davis Bacon and Related Acts, Service Contract Act and others. One of my investigations, McCaughlin vs. Richland Shoe, was decided by the Supreme Court in 1988.

Additionally, since 1976, I have been President of my own company, Lancaster County Antique Art. I buy, sell and appraise American and European paintings, sculpture, watercolors, rare coins, stamps, period furniture, antiques and collectibles.

Where have you lived since graduating?

Ocean Grove, NJ, 1971-1974; Union, NJ, 1974-1976; Middletown, PA, 1976-1978 (within a mile of Three Mile Island); Lebanon, PA, 1978-present (actually Cornwall, PA, but the mailing address is Lebanon, PA).

What was your sense of community at NPHS?

Since I grew up in the West End, I had a wide circle of friends from my younger days which carried on into Junior High and then High School. Looking back, I now realize what a diverse group of friends from various ethnic backgrounds they were including Italian, Polish, Spanish, German, Middle Eastern, South American, Puerto Rican, as well as multiple religious beliefs (Catholics, Protestants and Jewish). I considered everyone a friend and enjoyed the diversity. My best friend, Al Muglia, lived right up the street from me and his mom and dad treated me as a son. As a kid, I was a little slender and his mom always welcomed me with “Mangia, mangia, come eat, eat” when I was hanging out with Al. His dad took us hunting and fishing, and included me in numerous extended family gatherings. To this day, I rave about what a wonderful Italian cook Mrs. Muglia was and the generosity of their family. I have very fond memories of my younger days in North Plainfield.

What experiences in high school, positive or negative, helped to shape you as a person?

All of my teachers instilled in me a sense of purpose and provided sound guidance for me to get an education which has made a profound difference in my life. I am eternally grateful for their dedication, sacrifice and efforts. HOWEVER, the Administration, led by Edward J. Gibbs III, and specifically, Vice Principal John Messer, provided a dark, negative undertone with their heavy-handed, capricious, demeaning and unnecessary disciplinary actions. Just where is my “Official Permanent Record” and what heinous misdeeds are listed there? Walking in the hall without a pass? Taking a drink at a fountain? Standing inside the door of the school on a frigid day? I must confess, though, I did toss more than a few spitballs back in the day!

Do you have any regrets about your experiences during your high school years?

My only regret is that I did not thank my teachers for their efforts during my high school career. It is now too late as most of them have passed. And I should have also spoken up more forcefully when I witnessed my friends being chastised for the length of their hair, clothes they wore, music they listened to, and expressing their personal opinions.

Now, 50 years later, has your perspective on your high school years changed at all?

Not much, really. It was a fun time in an era without cell phones, text messages, social media, etc. Heck we didn’t even have calculators and computers!!! And it is completely absurd to realize many of my friends in high school were subject to discipline due to their hair, clothes, and opinions.

What is your fondest memory of your years at NPHS?

I will always remember the wonderful cars my friends and others drove up and down Wilson Ave. Among those that I distinctly recall are: John Guerro’s green Dodge Charger, Rich Pellizoni’s Ford Thunderbird, Karen Von Tish’s Ford Mustang, Frank Vastano’s Canary Yellow Chevy Impala, my buddy Al Muglia’s 1965 Blue Ford Custom, (former NJ State Cop car); my sister, Jill, drove our 1968 Red Opal Kadett “Mini-Brute,” and my rust bucket 1958 Ford Station Wagon. My friend Willie Orloff’s parents let him drive their Mercury Breezeway with the power sliding rear window that was really fun to ride around in! We always had a blast just cruising around town and maybe once in a while we might have driven over to Staten Island to drink some beer! Now I’m not saying I was ever in Tarry’s Tavern, which was at the base of the Outer Bridge in Staten Island, but I might have been a few times. I still have my “Tarry’s Tavern” T-shirt around here somewhere!

What was the craziest or stupidest thing you did in high school?

How many pages do you want me to compose? I did many crazy and/or stupid things in high school; we all did, I think. One particular stunt that stands out was when I was given a ticket for riding on a sled in Plainfield one Christmas eve. It had snowed and the streets were covered in ice. After church on Christmas eve, I changed clothes and went over to Dave Giesa’s house, which was on Manning Ave. in the East End. His Mom always thought we were saints (LOL), and she gave us hot chocolate and homemade cookies to celebrate. Since t had snowed, we decided to go out to Plainfield Country Club to sleigh ride. The hill out there was fabulous for sledding. The roads were snow covered and very icy, perfect for riding sitting up on a Flexible Flyer behind a car holding onto a rope. You slipped the rope around the chrome bumper, let out about 50 feet or so, and once you got going, it was a hoot! Going around corners was unreal! Dave was flying around the streets in the Sleepy Hollow section of Plainfield, near Muhlenberg Hospital, when all of a sudden, a police car spotted us. I had told him previously that if that happened, to floor it and I would drop the rope. Obviously, the cop shined his light on me, while Dave took off. The cop confiscated my sled, gave me a lecture on how dangerous it was to ride behind a car on a sled, and took me to the station. The result was a hefty ticket for “Unauthorized Hanging onto a Vehicle.” Dave got away and I did not rat him out. The story I concocted was that I had been sledding out at the Plainfield Country Club and asked a guy who was leaving if I could hitch a ride home behind his car. A real bunch of bullsh*t, but I think they knew I was not going to give any more information. This incident was published in the “Plainfield Police Reports” in the Courier News the following week. I think that stunt qualifies as both “Stupid” and “Crazy.” My sister, Jill, has loads of stories of my notorious exploits.

What was your proudest accomplishment in high school?

I was elected to the National Honor Society and served as my Homeroom Representative on the Student Council.

Who was your favorite teacher?

I had multiple favorite teachers. Mrs. Ethel Abrams, my English teacher, challenged me to think, and defend my opinions. Ms. Rose Bellino opened my eyes to the wonders of Chemistry. Coach “Bud” Porter consistently demonstrated true sportsmanship and taught me to treat all people with fairness and respect. Mr. Nelson Ernest, Band Director, who was a man with immense patience, went out of his way to allow me to play the School’s tuba. Ms. Elizabeth Hoelter and Mr. Stephen Kovach encouraged my love of mathematics. Mr. Russell Heeren ignited a love of woodworking that guided many construction projects during my years rehabbing and restoring houses as a landlord. His vast knowledge still amazes me. And Mrs. Lillian Tallent taught me how to type, which is a skill I am demonstrating as I write these lines.

What was your worst class?

Without a doubt it was French 1, taught by Mr. Gould. I should have worked harder at the time because I really love France, French culture and its people. My wife and I have visited France quite a few times, and when we are wandering around Paris I am at a loss when I encounter someone who speaks no English. “J’ai besoin de plus de pratique pour parler francais.”

What is your most powerful or haunting memory during your years at NPHS?

I have two days that I remember very distinctly. The day we were informed John F. Kennedy was killed, I was in 7th grade English, Miss Riccoli’s class, upstairs in the Old Building. That was a very sad afternoon. And the evening Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, Thursday, April 4, 1968. These days are etched in my memory as very dark days for America.

And another extremely sad day was when I learned Bob Gardner, who was a friend of mine and had a wonderful sense of humor, was tragically killed in a car accident that injured three other of our classmates. That accident, which occurred very near my house at the corner of Lawrence Ave and Green Brook Road, cast a pall over our class. The promise of an extremely bright future was snuffed out in an instant. Every time I go past the spot where that accident occurred I feel remorse. Those who knew Bob, and he was well liked by everyone who had the pleasure to be friends with him, were deeply affected.

How did growing up as a child of the 60’s-and all the social baggage and impact that it may have entailed-impact you at the time and in your young adult years?

As a member of the “Baby Boom” generation, I never really thought much about “social baggage,” as I was able to graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park during the peak years of the Vietnam protest movement. I participated in numerous demonstrations and peaceful protests at Maryland and in Washington, DC. What I learned from these activities was that we, as individuals, had rights and responsibilities which would impact social norms. I believe we could, and we would work for a better future. And I think the accomplishments of most of our classmates have manifested this change whether it be in business, law, medicine, and with our families. Members of our generation have made a difference and continue to make an impact.

As an aside, I offer a hearty “Thank You” to you, Howard, for taking the time and sharing your talents with members of the NPHS class of 1969. Not many other people are willing to devote their precious time and resources to this sort of project. You can put this “Thank You” in your “Permanent Official Record,” (as Vice Principal John Messer would say), that is if you can find it!