Remembering the great times and strong bond with Mario
A long time ago, my mother said it best: Every person faces adversity in their life. The true test of the person is how they handle it. If anyone handled it better than Mario D’Amico, I haven’t met them.
Of course, anyone who knew him also felt that he was blessed. He had a wonderful family that encouraged his habit of going fishing.
They were rewarded with a father and husband who was a family man, hard worker and a great angler. In fact, I believe the worst thing one could do was say anything bad about Mario’s family members. But I am writing this not in praise of his home life nor to dwell on his problems but to talk about the late Mario D’Amico as the outdoorsman he was.
Yes, his personality was indomitable. I was born and raised in the mining town of Hills Station. So when I married and moved to Canonsburg, I was a bit of an outsider among those local outdoorsmen. I quickly learned of a group from east end that hunted and fished. Among the group was Mario.
Even in the 1953 Canonsburg year book, Mario is mentioned as an outdoors person. I can’t help but think of this group as I think of my friend Mario. There was Sam Fragapan, Dave George and Mel Bell, all well known for their hunting and fishing skills. None of that old crew is living today.
While I knew who Mario was, I really didn’t become fast friends until I worked at the Gunrunner Sporting Goods Store in Canonsburg. I soon learned that while on the surface he appeared rough and tough, deep inside he was a doting family man. Of all the trophies he caught from the lakes and streams, it was his devotion to Gloria that was his No. 1 asset. Gloria found a good man.
I fished Lake Erie for Walleye and Lake Ontario for Salmon with Mario and he was as good a guide as any pro. Once on a trip to Lake Ontario, I remember my late wife Eileen coming along to fish. She could be a bit shy sometimes but got along well with Mario. He was the perfect gentleman and he let her drive the boat. She loved that and enjoyed herself so much on that trip. They became fast friends.
I remember a story Mario told me about a time he was laid off from work. Gloria was working and she brought home her paycheck, asked Mario to cash it and pick up a few groceries. Mario did an impetuous thing. He cashed her check and went to the Bentleyville Sports Shop we knew as Buck Trews. He arrived at home that evening with a beautiful Browning C Superposed in 20 gauge but no groceries. He said he realized then that if his marriage could survive that, it would last through anything.
Just this past summer, I took Mario to a local farm pond for a couple of hours fishing and I must admit he outfished me: 4-1. Long ago I learned that it is not luck but skill. The non-catchers like to blame everything but the reality is that guy just fishes better than the other person.
In these later years, when my friends and I have gotten a bit on the old side, Mario took up rod building for a hobby. Luckily, I have a Mario rod. The rod is signed by the builder and is my favorite. When I wet a line this coming spring, there is no doubt I will be using it again. It will remind me as the trout tugs on my line that Mario did a great job of rod building and I will think of my friend. What else would I expect from such a man, but the best!
- The George Block Conservation Scholarship will again be given to a very deserving student in our area. We had some outstanding entries and I regained my faith once more in today’s youth. This year, the award will be given on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Crown Center Mall at 1 p.m. in front of the old Bon Ton store on the stage. Our scholarship recipient will be there and we will get a chance to meet this future conservationist. Of course, we will be measuring deer before this award for the Sports Show at the mall starting around noon. I can’t wait to see everyone there.
George Block writes a weekly column for the Observer-Reporter.