Gary Hacker

Brewster Technical School instructor Susan Hausler presents Gary Hacker, 58, with a jacket for raising $701 for the Pennies for Pasta campaign.
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TAMPA - Gary Hacker believes in living one day at a time.

Maybe because he has faced disaster more than once.

Since 1975, the 58-year-old airport parking employee has survived two lightning strikes, a fall that damaged his brain and wiped out his memory, a failed marriage and a bout with throat cancer.

On top of that, he raised four children and struggled to regain a sense of self.

"I was very angry about the lack of memory," Hacker said.

Frustration led him to enroll in the Adult Cooperative Training Program at Brewster Technical Center.He learned skills that landed him a job at Tampa International Airport.

Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he found a new image.

"Hey, I'm a good person," said Hacker, who lives in Seminole Heights."I'm deserving of this."

Hacker returned Wednesday to Brewster Technical Center, where he serves on the adult program's advisory board, to show his gratitude.

For three years in a row, Hacker has collected a hefty portion of the school's donation to the Suncoast Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

With Pasta for Pennies, the society rewards Hillsborough County school classes that raise the most money with lunch from the Olive Garden.

The adult class has won the lunch each year since it became involved in 1999.

Thanks to Hacker's zealousness - he wrangled $701 from friends, family and acquaintances - his former class raised $1,451.

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Before Brewster, Hacker worked odd jobs to pay rent and feed his children, but it was difficult staying employed.

"Who wants to hire someone who can't retain what he's learned?"Hacker says.

Now he has a job he loves, contributes to society and supports himself.