I'm constantly surprised and delighted to learn people's life stories, as I love history, AND stories (you know this) and here's a shocker, Gepetto went to flight school with Neil Armstrong.

Enlisting in the U.S. Navy near the end of World War II, Alex went to flight school with future NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong.

 He served in Korea and Vietnam before retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1967. 

After several post-service careers, he was in retirement but decided he enjoyed Walt Disney World Resort so much that he wanted a full time role with the resort. 

He repeatedly brightened the days of his fellow cast members. The cast saw him as a confidant and friend. Whenever someone was facing struggles or a conflict, he would answer, “Ask yourself this question: will it matter 50 years from now?’ (most Navy vets have said this!) 

Earlier this summer, after Alex had informed Magic Kingdom Park that he was ill and would soon be going into hospice care, the team responded by visiting his home and sharing some news: he had been previously nominated and selected for The Walt Disney Legacy Award. He was given his blue Legacy nametag: the first cast member to receive it in 2022.

Ever the optimist, Alex offered words of encouragement during this emotional visit with his friends and fellow cast members saying, “It’s up to you, now. Greet the guests and make their day magical.” 

Then, recalling the words of a song from the Disney-Pixar feature, “Coco,” he added one request of them: “Remember me.” 

Alex passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Aug. 6, 2022.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/08/remembering-friend-to-all-disney-cast-member-alex-stromski/