In November 1981, Bert married Maria. The following September, while working full-time and newly married, he enrolled at Stonehill College's Evening Division, pursuing a degree in Human Resource Management.
The Children
- July 10, 1983: Danny born
- March 7, 1987: Anthony born
- January 26, 1989: Laura born
The years were a blur of work, school, and family. Bert transferred to Bridgewater State College to complete his bachelor's degree in Psychology. His transcripts from this period tell their own story: course after course, semester after semester, nearly all A's.
Psychology of Personality. Clinical Psychology. Behavior Modification. Social Psychology. Psychology of Learning. He graduated summa cum laude.
He wasn't just getting credentials. He was trying to understand people—how they think, why they act, what motivates them. This would serve him well in Human Resources.
In 1986, his older brother Antonio died of heart failure. One of Danny's earliest memories is seeing his father cry.