1. Oral History Archive
  2. Jeffrey Brettler

Jeffrey Brettler

Working the Rides: From the streets of Coney Island to the war in Vietnam

Interviewer:
Charles Denson
Interviewee:
Jeffrey Brettler

Languages

English

Interview Highlight Bookmarks

  • The coasters
    •
  • Freddie Moran
    •
  • John Tilyou
    •
  • Lillie Santangelo
    •
  • Peluso repairs the Tornado coaster
    •
  • Freddie Garms
    •
  • Gyro Globe
    •
  • Caterpillar
    •
  • Favorite coaster
    •
  • Joining the army
    •
  • Benny Conti
    •
  • Mom Kirsch's
    •
  • Amato Brothers
    •
  • Playland murals
    •
  • Return from Vietnam
    •
  • Effects of agent orange
    •
  • Jack Merr, Slim
    •
  • Re-rides
    •
  • Fiore and Moe junkyards
    •
  • Harry Nelson
    •
  • JB "Jungle Boy" and the riots
    •
  • "Jewish lightning"
    •
  • Joe Bonsignore
    •
  • "I had a great time, I loved it!"
    •

    Jeffrey Brettler began working in Coney Island at the age of 12 during  the early 1960s. He got to know all the ride operators. He shares vivid memories of the colorful characters he met and describes the idiosyncrasies of some of the most beloved rides in operation at that time. In 1968 he entered the U.S. Army recruiting center on Stillwell Avenue and signed up. After an 18 month tour of duty in Vietnam, he re-upped and spent another 20 years in the Army.