he was born and raised in troy, new york, where he also opened a gas station which he successfully used to help pay for his college tuition. after attending new york university and albany law school he moved to new york city with his wife, dorothy (who died in 1985), to go into business. he joined the u.s. army and became a major during world war ii, earning two purple hearts, a silver star, two bronze star medals, four battle stars, and a combat infantryman badge.