GENESEO — A call to duty took Dennis Staley away from his goal of graduating from high school in 1961, to an 11-year military career that included being stationed in a nuclear submarine and working at the Naval Intelligence Center in Washington D.C. On Tuesday night, in front of the School Board of the Geneseo Central School District, he was finally awarded his diploma.
Geneseo School Superintendent Tim Hayes, School Board President Steve Miskell, and Administrator Craig Veley presented Staley the diploma, while he was surrounded by family members and childhood friends.
“This is an extreme honor, it truly is,” said Staley. “Thank you very much.”
Staley, who’s brother was a well-known teacher at the school, had always wanted to graduate from high school.
“It has always bothered me that I never graduated,” said Staley. “It’s special to graduate, no matter how long ago it would’ve been.”
14 days after being discharged from the Navy Staley started working for RG & E, where he would remain employed for over 30 years.
Staley continues to serve, and maintains connections with his fellow veterans as commander of VFW Post 5005.
To give the event the feel of a more traditional graduation, Bonnie Ellis, who teaches at the school, surprised Staley with celebration balloons.