Brooklyn Bethel Pressroom 1967-1972

The Brooklyn Factory is gone and all we have is our memories and photos. If you knew anyone from that era who was in the pressroom or would like to see what we did with that old machinery, Aid Book, Bibles, Watchtowers, Tracts and excellent printing using old technology. We didn't go to work in suits everyday or use computers. It was blood, sweat, and tears. They were rich years and all of us are in our late 60s and early 70s now. But we made hundreds of friends and most of these guys you know today as pillars in your congregations. Enjoy the old pictures.

[@tymtell2699]

Pat Leslie is my Uncle. He served with you during those years at Brooklyn Bethel and you captured him in this YT video. He related many happy stories about his years at Bethel. Your video complimented his stories perfectly. Thank you and well done. T. Scott

[@tymtell2699]

buckantler Hi Allen, My Wife and I were in New York just last October. We were there for my cousin Nathan's wedding. (Nathan is Pats Son) and he serves at Patterson Bethel. We took the tour at Brooklyn, Got the privilege to eat with the Bethel family at noon. Very few buildings to tour. But it was great all the same. Thank you for the excellent job in putting these memories together. Your Brother, Tim Scott

[@ahpriller361]

I tried calling Pat last week but that particular number is disconnected....if you talk to him ask him to drop me a text or email please. Thanks.

[@Hankster.Northwest]

@@tymtell2699 Ok I have it on my phone erase the message so it wont stay public...thanks

[@jimgreish9190]

I was there March 1970-March 1974. Most of the time on MAN 18 and 15. Wow. This brought back so many memories. And a few tears. Thank you.

[@ahpriller361]

Hi Jim and thanks for your comments. Ieft Feb 28th, 1971. I dont remember meeting you and Im sorry for that but after all Im nearly 74. I still stay in contact with close to 50 former Bethelites and have briefly chatted with many more. Email and the internet has brought us all back together after 50 years. Outstanding! The oldest one that I still know out of the pressroom served from 59-63 and is getting up there in his 80s. Take care and stay in touch, while youre at it, check out some of my other videos. Al Priller

[@hrm3563]

Wonderful memories! Helen Waters Marr

[@kathleenkuehn5024]

Thank you so much for taking the time to put these priceless photos and memories together. They brought tears to my eyes and thoughts of appreciation for what Jehovah accomplished. I worked in linotype and proofreading between 68 and 72. Part of my proofreading assignment took me to the 6th floor, building #1 proofreading office for several months. Seeing familiar faces like Jay Kosinski, Ewing Russell, Cal Cruder, Louie Wildman wiped away years of time in an instant. Your photos brought back the smells, the noise and the sensation of the building shaking. If you know where Jay Kosinski is located, please let me know. We served in the same congregation and he was best man at my wedding. Over the years I lost track. Well done! Thanks again. Wally Kuehn

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Wally, nice to hear from you. First of all I talk to Jay regularly. I wont say much on this public forum. I have an email which is one I use that isnt my more personal one. Please contact me there at [e-mail] and we will continue this conversation. One of the purposes of this particular video is to contact many of the "old guys" who are looking for friends. Later, Ahp

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Hes no longer in traveling work, now retired south of Chicago email me at [e-mail] and Ill send you his contact information. Ahp

[@oneseriousguy]

This production, was so encouraging to me. It let me see the behind the scene view in Brooklyn Bethel back in the 60 ' when I was a kid, and didn't know about Jehovah.

[@hektorlinko]

I was a witness back in the day and left when I was 17 in the early 90's but had an uncle that served in bethel in the 80's as a waiter and always brought home many of his friends and they were good people. The generation now days is totally different...sure they work hard but I respect your generation more and can see all the hard good old fashion of a hard day work from stories I've heard from the older generation and plus hearing this from you. Good hard honest work, respect, humble, and just good people. A+++ Photos of hard work don't lie.

[@timwhite3025]

Congratulations on taking your life back! Much love.

[@JeremyLucas1879]

My father worked in the Bindery in Brooklyn, 1968-1972. I served as a waiter in Brooklyn 1993-1997. These are beautiful, thank you for sharing!

[@ahpriller361]

Good to hear from you brother, be safe!

[@Als300z]

What a great video! I was operator of one of the three Cottrells, double delivery press. All that video needs is one of those with their crew. My time was 1966 to 1970.

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Al, then you saw my buddy Billy Hendrix. I think you guys were roommates and pioneer partners werent you? I am Al Priller Hoe 12 trained by Walton and Hogan and Ron Bain. Bill was my assistant for awhile then he got Hoe 10 or 11 from UB Russell. Actually there were a couple of pictures from Cottrell 16 from the rear and one of Furnas sitting in the stands on 16 if I remember right but not one of the entire crew I dont think. Definitely didnt have one of you. Send me an email at [e-mail] for more pictures and information. By the way, Bill has visited up here several times when his mom was alive, weve gone out to eat and he has come to visit now and then. His heart is still holding up, hope you are too. Al P.

[@Als300z]

Bill just came by to visit. I will email you.

[@TexMex60]

Worked in the Bindery when I got a call to report to brother Wheelock. The next few years were scary, exciting and great. Learned alot from the operators as they were called and eventually became MAN 19 operator, next to press 20 which was Tom Miles press. Wonder years truly.

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Nice to hear from you. I still stay in touch with many of the 60s pressroom guys. Even one guy is over 80 and in the lake oswego oregon congregation. Almost everyone of that group is still in the truth, not that life has been perfect for any of us. We still live in this old world. Stay in touch. My wife is from Lubbock but been in Oregon now over 50 yrs. We will celebrate our 48th soon and have been baptized nearly 58 yrs. Where has the time gone?

[@Hankster.Northwest]

I heard that Tom is in a wheelchair for many years now, but has a great attitude.

[@Hankster.Northwest]

No sorry it was Jim Miles, not Tom

[@LC-bb6jd]

My husband served from 74-98 and I was there 94-98. Brooklyn and then Patterson. Wonderful to see it all again and enjoy those precious memories.

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Thank you kindly, your initials are the same as my best friend there at Warwick, LC Cotton in Hospital Info Services.

[@robbyn.1582]

good color for the time. Were these slides?

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Yeah old ones, we used a lot of ectachrome I think it was called, fast film for taking night pictures without flash.

[@robbyn.1582]

@@Hankster.Northwest My father used slide film and night film in the 60s

[@gregorytheodorides8865]

Served with Br.Ray Rose in the Plumbing Department in the newly acquired Squibb Building. Faith was built up so much there. Wonderful friends made there. Truly a spiritual paradise and a lot of work with it.

[@ahpriller361]

yep 61 yrs

[@tedbarklage]

This really brings back memories!!! Thanks!

[@salvadorsoriano4734]

I served there '70-'74 in the Bindery, 4 & 5th floors when the "Truth" book required night shifts to meet the need in the field. Those were unforgettable years! Thanks for the videos.

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Did you know my roommate Joe Gingerich who was on a casemake? We left at the same time Feb 28th 1971, he died in 1995 sadly. Another guy was Ray Massed, he passed a few years ago.

[@robbyn.1582]

I wish Bethel had stayed in Brooklyn. Nice vid. Loved the aerial pics at the end too

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Well its an emotional thought out of our past, I get it, but they are so better off out of the city now.

[@robbyn.1582]

@@Hankster.Northwest It was a well oiled machine for many years all the way up to the sale of the properties

[@AndrewDencklau]

I worked in the Brooklyn pressroom from 1994-2003 then in the Wallkill pressroom from 2003-2008. This was a really nice video and the pictures were amazing! Thank you for sharing your pictures and memories.

[@ahpriller361]

I worked with John Erp in Brooklyn, I believe he was on MAN 8 or 9 when I was there. Hes still at Wallkill.

[@mrgstudio_legacy]

I worked in the Brooklyn pressroom from 1994-2003 and then after the Brooklyn shutdown I was transferred to the Wallkill pressroom from 2003-2012. It was great to see those that came before us! I only recognized two faces that I worked with, Harry Johnson and John Earp. Thank you for sharing your pictures and memories.

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Yeah Mike, that was after Wheelock was gone, I visited him in 89 and said my goodbyes. Sad thing........

[@BURZUM__]

Hey Mike, which press did you work before you left?

[@FrankTaciak]

I was there from 1977 to 1985, and I was just like you said about how great to was, so, so true. Thanks for the Pics.

[@Hankster.Northwest]

Thanks Frank, I went into construction after also....I owned an Insulation Company.