My friendship with Mark predates our high school days. We were both newspaper carriers delivering the Buffalo News in the Longmeadow/Westfield/Ivyhurst area. As I remember we both had about 60 customers, we would pickup our papers on North Westfield and head out to make our deliveries. Occassionally crossing paths, always meeting up at the end at a little deli (long ago torn down) on Longmeadow & North Ivyhurst St's. for a cold "pop" and candy bar. Aw for those simple days. I used to make about $4.00 a week, a tidy sum back then. Mark was a great guy and true friend. We palled around all through Jr. & Sr. high. I remember Mark pulling into my driveway with his father's green 63' Pontiac Bonneville the day he got his driver's license and we drove around for most of the afternoon hoping to be seen by as many classmates as possible. That car was huge, easily fitting 4 across the front seat if need be. A real "boat" of a car, typical for the day.
I also remember the day I heard Mark had been killed, hit by a car, a few years after graduation. Mark went to Gannon College as I remember. We had long ago parted ways, taking our different paths through life. But I never forgot Mark. His memory pops into my head every now and then for no apparent reason. I see us walking side by side down Longmeadow pulling our paper wagons. I wonder what he would have become if given the chance. I'm sure he would have been a success at anything he wanted to do. He was that kind of guy. Rest in Peace my friend.
David V D'Amico (D'Amico) (1967)
My friendship with Mark predates our high school days. We were both newspaper carriers delivering the Buffalo News in the Longmeadow/Westfield/Ivyhurst area. As I remember we both had about 60 customers, we would pickup our papers on North Westfield and head out to make our deliveries. Occassionally crossing paths, always meeting up at the end at a little deli (long ago torn down) on Longmeadow & North Ivyhurst St's. for a cold "pop" and candy bar. Aw for those simple days. I used to make about $4.00 a week, a tidy sum back then. Mark was a great guy and true friend. We palled around all through Jr. & Sr. high. I remember Mark pulling into my driveway with his father's green 63' Pontiac Bonneville the day he got his driver's license and we drove around for most of the afternoon hoping to be seen by as many classmates as possible. That car was huge, easily fitting 4 across the front seat if need be. A real "boat" of a car, typical for the day.
I also remember the day I heard Mark had been killed, hit by a car, a few years after graduation. Mark went to Gannon College as I remember. We had long ago parted ways, taking our different paths through life. But I never forgot Mark. His memory pops into my head every now and then for no apparent reason. I see us walking side by side down Longmeadow pulling our paper wagons. I wonder what he would have become if given the chance. I'm sure he would have been a success at anything he wanted to do. He was that kind of guy. Rest in Peace my friend.
Dave D'Amico