Born at Midvale, one of 13 children, "A. J." began learning the cobbler trade at the age of 13, repairing shoes for the family. At 14, he became an apprentice for Salvator Maugeri, who came to this country from Italy after World War I. While working with shoes 10 hours a day. three days a week, and receiving no pay, A. J. also held another job three days a week to help out at home.

In 1945, he purchased the local shoe shop from Rocco Simoni, and in 1946 moved here from New Philadelphia. He operated the shop at 111 Main Street 12 years before moving to 215 Main Street, where he remained until his retirement.

Police was noted for his fine workmanship and willingness to take on any repair job, and some of his customers would drive as far as 100 miles. He tells of one from Twinsburg, near Cleveland, who brought him a pair of boots another shoe repairman had said could not be fixed. The man returned home satisfied with his boots repaired.

Forced to quit working in June because of high blood pressure and a heart ailment, A. J. said he could find no buyers for the business and was forced to sell his stock and equipment at much less than it was worth.

He went on to say that no young men are learning the trade, and the youngest in that line of work is approximately 44. He predicts that, eventually, most repair shops will close their doors and go out of business.

"The reason the trade has gone downhill," he explained, "is because today more shoes are made of plastic which cannot be repaired." He added that, to stay in business today, most shoe repair shops must have a sideline.

He said Newcomerstown is now without a shoe store and he would like to see a company selling good quality shoes to locate here.

A. J. and his wife, Helen, who often worked beside him in the shop, are well-known in the Dover-New Philadelphia area where he worked at the Shenango Company in Dover before coming here. They are active in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church where she is a member of thee Altar Rosary Society and he is a member of John P. Kennedy Council of Knights of Columbus. He has been secretary of Modern Woodsmen of America 15 years, and K. of C. publicity chairman five years, membership chairman a year and trustee three years.

They are the parents of three children, Sam of Columbus, Mrs. Jack (Carol) Conrath of Edgerton and Mrs. Gene (Marsha) Winters of here, and 10 grandchildren.

The sign which reads: "We doctor shoes, attend to their dyeing and save their soles" has been moved from the shop to the garage at the Police home, a souvenir of A.J.'s working days. He said he found the fitting slogan and had it made into the sign, which turned out to be a conversation piece.

Police recalled that in 1955 a member of the New Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce saw the sign and asked him to speak at a banquet. He declined because he felt he didn't have the ability.

Later, he and his brother, Tome, signed up for the Dale Carnegie course and he won the special award for achievement during the course and the highest award ay the end of it. He used the slogan as his topic.

Now that he is retired, A. J. says he expects to do more reading. He likes history as well as opera music.