Graduated from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland in 1935.
In 1945 he taught English and Aeronautics at Benedictine High School.
In 1938 entered St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland where he studied for the priesthood. He had a nervous breakdown in 1940 and dropped out.
In 1940 he entered Baldwin-Wallace College to study for a teaching degree. From 1940-1941 he did student teaching at Rocky River High School.
In 1941 he entered St. Charles Seminary in Carthagena, Ohio to continue his study for the priesthood. On November 27th 1944, on the eve of graduation, the administration asked him to leave the school "due to the questionableness of his disposition".