St. John of the Internet has finally retired. As of April 1, 2009 after 40 years of work - 5 working for others, 3 years in the Army and 35 years working for myself.

I've passed the mantel of HarbourLights' Webmaster to Geoff Baker, long time IT genius for Lighthouse Depot, et al.

My run as Webmaster started in early 1998 when Maureen suggested to Kim, Bill and Nancy that, rather than re-inventing the wheel, why didn't they ask me to convert my "fan-site" for Harbour Lights into the official corporate site.

www.HarbourLights.com launched on August 8, 1998 and I enjoyed almost 11 years working with the Younger's extended family until January 2006, and then with Don Devine and Tony Constantino and the rest of the Lighthouse Marketing team for 3 more years plus.

They were good times. The "good old days" of Rosemont and other meetings for trade shows, dealer events and regionals only added to the number of great lighthouse friends.

Even before my role as Webmaster, that first 1997 Family Reunion in San Diego was a chance to finally meet collectors who had been known only to me by cryptic 'handles' on AOL and later at www.LighthouseKeepers.com.

My greatest Harbour Lights accomplishment, after making friends, was putting together the Official Collectors Guide for Harbour Lights with Paul.

My primary business since 1972 has been marketing and market research, working with financial institutions around the country to promote their services and to measure their customers' satisfaction with the quality of service the institution was providing.

I was raised in Michigan, spent 3 years in the Army early 1966 - late 1968, completed my BS from Michigan State in June 1969 and went to work for others until 1972 when I launched my own company which continued until 2007.

It's been up and down, but it's all been good.

Now, I'm enjoying the feeling of driving down the street thinking "Hey, I don't HAVE to do anything today; don't HAVE to be anywhere today."

Chris is attending Arizona State University and we are sharing an apartment. He will turn 24 the end of this month and in the fall, he'll probably be living on campus.

One benefit of his age is that at age 24, FASFA considers him an 'independent person' which means they don't consider any of my income as "Expected Family Contribution". It appears that he will get a full ride for the rest of his ASU education. (Hopefully; we should know for sure the end of this month.)

Social Security kicked in this month; Medicare and Part B are in place. My parents and all but one of my four grandparents lived into their 90s so I've hopefully got a 'third life' out there for the next 25-30 years or more. Now I'm working on putting the body and mind into a mode to last at least long as possible.

I'm still doing some freelance work in photography, graphic design and marketing consultation.

Oh, and last January, I shaved the beard. After 36 years! I'll post before and after photos.

John,

Your still going to be here on the Forums with us arn't you? Or are you saying GOOD BY?

I'll still be hanging around, Stephanie. My inside sources are drying up, but you can't get rid of me that easy.

Congratulations John and thanks for sharing this milestone with us here on the CF! Sounds like you deserve to run your own schedule now after fulfilling obligations for 40 years. Retirement is a great stress reducer and you can change YOUR days as many times and in as many ways as you prefer as long as you have the energy, financial resources, and health. Keep in touch on the CF more often now, and we'll think of some things for you to do when you have "extra time" (like revise and update that great book you and Paul lovingly put together).

You'll always come to mind when we think of HL and its collector's being brought into the Computer Age starting about 1996 with your first interest in HL. Our thanks for all your work from your Apple II Plus in black & white to today that gave you the expertise to develop and grow the Harbour Lights Collector's Forum.

John,
Congratulations on your retirement. We know you'll really enjoy it. We are both retired now and having a great time. No clocks - No rush hour traffic - No deadlines.

Congratulations John on your retirement!

I hope you now have the spare time to do the things you enjoy most. Hopefully one of them is post often on the CF.

Your work here on the CF and HL website is one of the biggest influences in my collecting Harbour Lights replicas. Many Thanks for that!

After 40 years of work and also serving your country, you deserve many years of relaxation!

Congrats on your retirement, JC! None of us would be here if you hadn't laid the ground work way back when. You were definitely the "glue" that held everything together. It is my sincere hope that we will hear more from you now that you've retired.

Best always,

Bob

Congratulations on your retirement, John! Thanks for netting all of us so much friendship over the years.
Judy

Congrats John!
Glad to hear your able to retire and Chris is doing so well.
After 40 years, you deserve it.
As Spock says,"..."
Bob

to the world of retirement John and Cogratulations on reaching a wonderful milestone. Now you will have to find time to d all the things you did when you wre working. I don't know why it ends up that way but it does.

Yep. Got up early, cleaned out the storage place in the carport and donated stuff I've been storing for almost 2 years -- to make room for stuff I've been storing for less than one year.

Go figure. The people who got the donations are happy. Some sense of accomplishment for me. And I got it done before the heat of the day kicked in -- 100+

Congratulation on your retirement John. Enjoy!

But it's a dry heat, JC!

Bob

"Dry heat" Think of it as working in an oven instead of a sauna.

The dry heat of the Sahara Desert is what kept the mummies preserved for all these millenia. I think that's why so many Snow Birds moved here.

Hey John - How about shoveling through your email and looking at what I sent you yesterday.

Congratulations on your retirement John!
I've still got a few years to go.

Mel: So do you mean: 1 - you are retired, and hope to live a few more years? or 2 - you have a few more years to go before you are of retirement age?

Or are you just rubbing it in to an 'old man'?

And Rich: Yes, yes, I know. You nag like a wife! The problem isn't causing any problems that I can see; fixing it might.

Now HERE is something you won\'t find me doing in retirement -- or EVER!

Not retired yet, a few more years before I can retire and hope I live to enjoy retirement!! A daughter still in college, not old enough for our income to not be considered on FAFSA. She's changed her Major three times (Art to Geography to Anthropology/A)rcheology). I used to say she was on the 5-year plan, but its looking more like a 6-year plan now

Not rubbing it in to an 'old man'. I'm jealous!!!!!

John, I wouldn't walk that trail, never mind riding a bike on it.

John - Usually when I'm told or ask something, a response is the general way to go. When I'm ignored I can be worst then a nagging wife. The nice thing is 99.9% of the people respond.

Sorry to be so late to your party John! My very best wishes go out to you. Enjoy!!!

Hey Mombo! Good to see you're still alive and kicking!

Bob

Hear! Hear!
Nice to hear from you Sue!

John,
Congrats on your retirement.

The previous posts pretty sum up my feelings of appreciation for your service to the HL 'family' and without this site I would have many less friends and memories.

Thanks for being the glue
-- and enjoy your new found freedom

Warm Regards,
Roger

John, hope your retirement is all you hope for!
Long and happy! Good luck to you and to Chris!
We'll send up a little prayer for you both!
Don't become a stranger!
Stan & Margret

From my original post...

Yes! Through combination of grants, scholarships and student loans, Chris' ASU expenses for 2009-2010 are covered in full. He will be living on campus this Fall. That should be saving the Bank of Dad about $7K a year for tuition, books and food.

And Thanks for the congrats from all regarding my 'retirement'.

Why, for some odd reason, do I think you will never completely retire, JC. I got a feeling you will keep very busy. I feel your the kind of guy who will be like the Energizer Bunny...going, and going, and going...

Cheers!

Bob

Second career Bob, it's not an odd reason, it's simply one Energizer Bunny recognizing another Energizer Bunny. ... going, and going, and going...

working, working, sailing, sailing, working, sailing, .....

mg

Congratulations, John! Best of luck in the future. Maybe we'll get to see you at some lighthouse event sometime.

My best,
Paul Conlin

Wow!

I knew I came back for a visit for a reason..

Congratulations John and thanks for all you have done over the years!

I still remember purchasing my first "secondary market" Harbour Light from you and Warren, way back when. Looking back, a lot has changed from those days.....

Congrats and enjoy your retirement

-Todd

Bob - you think that because that's what YOU have done! But, yes, you are right. I can't imagine never doing anything. John