I was born and raised in Erie, PA. In August 1973 I picked up my life, came to Orlando and moved in with a friend with the intention of staying just a couple of weeks before moving to Cocoa Beach to surf. But, as things would have it, I spent whatever savings I had and needed to find a job and save some money before I could complete my ultimate search for waves.

In October 1973 I started working with the Orange County Water Department as a Water Treatment Operator Trainee. Although my original intention was to work long enough to have enough money to continue my journey, it didn’t turn out that way. Instead, I met the woman of my dreams, my beautiful wife Veronica, and wound up having a son, Alex, and working for the next 35 years with Orange County. I still got to surf occasionally though, don’t worry.

After working 20 years, I knew that I wanted to retire in 15 more years and planned accordingly by participating in two retirement saving plans offered by the county. A friend talked me into contributing to Deferred Compensation (a county sponsored savings plan) when I first started the job. I began contributing the minimum allowable deduction at the time, which was around $5 if memory serves, and increased the amount each time I received a pay raise. After 30 years, I was eligible to participate in DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) five years before my planned retirement date. In October 2008, I retired as the Water Production Manager, at the age of 59, after 35 years with the Orange County Utilities Water Department.

The first couple of weeks after my retirement were more of an adjustment then I thought they would be, that’s for sure. It wasn’t that I missed going to work - no, it was adjusting to all of things I now had the time to do. Some I wanted to do, some I didn’t.

I have plenty of interests outside of work including traveling, running, swimming, riding my bicycle and my motorcycle, reading and watching TV, so finding things to do wasn’t an issue. I also promised my wife that I would finally complete the items on that “honey-do” list that I had been putting off for what seemed like (and probably was) years.

The original priorities were to keep the house clean, do the laundry, cook and make sure there was food in the refrigerator. I was happy with this because I wanted to make sure life was as easy as possible for my wife, who is still employed. As time went on, however, some of these things went by the wayside.

It turns out, I am not a very good cook. At all. Veronica soon tired of my attempts and took over as Head Chef of our household. I grew tired of cleaning the house and brought back our old cleaning service, too. It just wasn’t for me. But, I still do the laundry, the dishes and grocery shopping. I’m also proud to say I completed most of the other items on the “honey-do” list. I am also involved in our Community Association as a Neighborhood Representative and a member of the Architectural Review Committee, which I enjoy.

My typical day starts by walking our dog, eating breakfast and reading the paper. Then I head to my office and check bank accounts and investments. I do some form of exercise almost every day, too. I like running the most, followed by riding my bike and swimming. Then it’s lunch, maybe a little TV, read a couple of chapters of my latest book, practice my guitar, throw in a nap and before you know it, Veronica is home. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it.

I also have the opportunity to travel a lot more now and I go to see my mother and sister in Pennsylvania every few months. My mother is 85-years-old and loves to make me spaghetti and meatballs to this day. I have ridden my motorcycle to Erie and back, up through the Outer Banks of North Carolina and to Key West to get a bowl of conch chowder and a beer. In October, Veronica and I are planning a trip to Maine.

As you can tell, I have plenty to do still. Some people thought that I might get bored. So far, I’m happy to say they’re wrong. I love having the freedom to do what I want, when I want to do it.

I can’t imagine going back to work at any time in the foreseeable future. After all, I just found my balance.

Article By Pat DiVecchio