A hero has departed this world. On Thursday morning, the fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord 2004, one of my childhood heroes left this world, a world that was a little richer for his presence and now is a little poorer for his absence. I am talking about the passing of Mr. Hugo Giammarco.
I knew "Mr. G" because of my attendance at St. Francis of Assisi School in Newburgh many years ago. He was an ever-present fixture on the St. Francis scene. The smell of cigar smoke usually announced the arrival of this gentleman whether at school or church functions. But what lasted far longer than the stubs of his cigars was the legacy of life that he left.
If you had read Mr. G's obituary you would have seen the accomplishments of a lifetime. You would have seen there, hiding among his many honors, a man of character. Character is what he demanded of himself and those around him. Integrity would have jumped up at you from its hiding place among his many well-deserved honors. Responsibility for the decisions one made was an unspoken sermon preached by the way he conducted himself every time he walked into the room. The need to get an education was another sermon shouted from the rooftops by this giant of a man. You would have been proud to have your son or daughter get a chance to be with this man, a man who inculcated the values that are the bedrock of our culture, or at least the way it used to be.
However, as obituaries go, due to space considerations there was much that could not come to light and that I feel the world should know. What could not be written was that this man who had the stature of a lion also had the heart of a saint. I speak this from personal experience. Many years ago, while still in school with Mr. G's son Joe, my father died suddenly, shaking the adolescent world of my brother and I to near distraction. What I would like to share with you is that this strong man, in both body and character, this man among men, came over to my brother and I at the viewing, and with teary eyes and quivering voice was barely able to whisper "boys…we're gonna go see ball games…" in a heartfelt attempt of trying to alleviate the sadness he beheld. Of course, Mr. G, ever true to his word, made good on his promise and took my brother and I, at his own expense, to see the Yankees several times.
This is important, not only as a tribute to a man that I loved. Mr. G's example of true manliness, the kind that has the ability to be tough and tender, is one that has stayed with me for many years. Unfortunately it took his passing for me to realize that I have been trying to emulate him and others like him, since I was that boy, sitting and staring with a blank expression at my Dad's funeral. For boys that did not get to know Mr. G, or that did not have any Mr. Gs providentially placed in their paths, I am truly sorry. They have missed out on one of life's treasures.
I have no doubt, that one-day when the eternal accounting books are opened and the influence of our lives are weighed, that Mr. G's account balance will reveal a huge credit. He had many many accolades to be sure. Man of the Year, Founder of the local Pop Warner Association, the list could go on for pages. However, on that day, when the honor that counts the most and is the most coveted is bestowed, I am sure that it will be awarded him. He will be reminded of at least a couple of boys that he took to baseball games, or helped to play a sport, or harped on to get an education or just plain took under his wing because the father's heart that beat in his chest demanded it. The award ceremony will be brief but poignant and will end with the words "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord".
Yes, a hero in the truest sense of the word has gone to his rest. And in a day with so few heroes left, I was privileged to know one of the last ones. Mentor, father figure and friend was he. Rest in peace Mr. G. I love you.
Alfonse Ciaccio
To the Editor:
With the passing of Hugo Giammarco, our community has lost a "giant", who, not only gave his all to so many worthwhile endeavors, but did so with unmatched enthusiasm and a graciousness worthy of emulatio. Very often it is said that no one is indispensable, but Hugo will be one tough act to follow. It may well require perhaps a dozen persons to replace this outstanding individual. To employ a football metaphor, whatever he tackled was always for the betterment of the community without a thought of self-aggrandizement. His approach was always straight and true as a shining arrow.
The profuse accolades heaped on Hugo are not only richly deserved, but long past due. It boggles the mind, upon reading of his many accomplishments, how any one person did so many good deeds in a lifetime. A one word answer will suffice: "superbly".
It is well past the time to bestow living honors on one of nature's noblemen, however, I would earnestly propose that Orange County give serious consideration to adding "The Hugo Giammarco Memorial Park" to Crestview. It is now time to give back to someone who willingly gave so much.
Albert P. Pacione, Sr.
New Windsor