Ira was born in Manhattan in 1942. He was the youngest of three children with an older brother and sister, who both passed away. Ira’s father manufactured fur garments. Ira went to a science magnet high school and did undergrad through his PHD in economics in NYU. He later taught in the same university and joined a brokerage firm. He was married two times and has three girls and two granddaughters. One daughter lives in Connecticut and the other lives in California. Ira hopes to be in the ALF temporarily until after a surgery that will enable him to walk. He moved to Florida a year ago and moved in seven months ago while he awaits this surgery. In the meantime, he recently began attending the weekly TOP class after listening to one and becoming interested.