Born in New York City, William (Bill) Safir’s father passed away when Bill was five years old. His mother raised him and he graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1947. He attended Syracuse University, but left after two years to work for The New York Herald Tribune columnist Tex McCrary. He enlisted in the US Army in 1952 to serve as a reporter for the Armed Forces Network in Europe. While in the Army, Safir added an “e” to the end of his surname to ensure correct pronunciation.
SU alumni
Bismarck Myrick
Bismarck Myrick graduated from the University of Tampa in 1972 with a degree in History and subsequently earned an M.A. in History from Syracuse University in 1973.
Bill Coghill
A native of Latham, N.Y., Bill Coghill was the son of Genevieve and William Coghill, who attended Shaker High School, and graduated from Deerfield Academy. Bill came to Syracuse University as a highly-touted football recruit, regarded as an All-America candidate.
Arthur Rock
Arthur Rock was born just up the road from Syracuse in Rochester, New York in 1926 as the son of a Russian immigrant and a first-generation American mother. His father owned a candy store in Rochester, and Arthur has described his upbringing as one of financial hardship, “We were lower middle-class.”
Alan Gerry
The son of Russian immigrants, Alan Gerry’s hometown was Liberty, NY. During WWII, Gerry dropped out of high school to join the United States Marine Corps and was placed in its electronics program.
Daniel D’Aniello
Daniel D’Aniello grew up in Butler, Pennsylvania and was raised by his Italian Catholic mother and grandmother. As a “good Italian boy” as he put it, he used to help his single mother pay the bills by bagging groceries at his uncles produce company, while she earned a living working four jobs.