Saverio "Sonny" Morea

Morea was born and raised in Queens in what he has referred to as "very humble beginnings." He attended Brooklyn Technical High School, where he graduated in 1950 having completed the Aeronautical Engineering curriculum. While in high school, he worked every other weekend with his father for 13 dollars a day. He spent the money on flight lessons, earning his pilot's license by the time of his graduation. After high school, Morea attended the City College of New York, where he graduated with an engineering degree. He was also involved with the college's Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, through which he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. His first professional job was with North American Aviation in the Aerophysics Department. Morea worked on the SM-64 Navaho at North American, specifically in designing the rocket's wind tunnel aft body. ==Career==

U.S. Army and civilian career In 1955, Morea was called to active duty. He was reassigned to the Ordnance Corps, During this time he was promoted to first lieutenant by General John B. Medaris. ==Personal life==

Morea married Angela Fiore in 1954. The two had four children, named Gail, Lorraine, Domenic, and Patricia. Morea received his private pilot licence in 1949 while a high school junior. He later received a commercial pilot licence, an instrument rating, a flight instructor rating, and a multiengine rating. Morea has achieved over 7,000 flight hours, 3,600 of which were spent as a flight instructor to more than 100 students. ==References and notes==