My father, Henry Vermilyea, died when I was four.  My mother, Edith Vermilyea, died when I was ten and my brother, David, died while I was on active duty.  I never got to know David. My sister, Marie Sliger (Vermilyea) lives in Marysville, CA. 

I was adopted out of the Vermilyea family when I was ten.  My sister got to remain in the Vermilyea family.  In those days, 1948-1949 people didn't talk to their kids about death and dying.

I knew when I was eight that I was gay, although I had no word for the term back then and no one to talk to about homosexuality.

I am a divorced man with three wonderful children.

I have been through a lot of therapy and still have the need to talk to a therapist.  The kid in me is still hurt.  His sixty two year old buddie tries to heal his wounds.  So far I have done a good job.

3041 Melrose, a novel,  is a work in progress.  I am fortunate to have a retired editor friend, who lives in the area, that is my writing mentor. I have other short story rough sketches in the computer.