Michael Leonard Guarino

Michael L Guarino (Sr) passed away on December 17, 2022 from Lung Cancer at Spring Grove Rehabilitation Center in New Providence, NJ. He had beaten throat cancer 2 years ago but was stricken with (unrelated) lung cancer afterwards. My dad was a proud and guarded man. He didn't want anyone to know he was fighting cancer. He was convinced he would beat it.

Who was Michael L Guarino (Sr)?

He was born November 2, 1941 in Paterson, N.J. to Leonard J Guarino and Lillian (nee Marino) Guarino. Both his parents were born in America and their parents emigrated to the U.S. from Sicily. After a few months in Paterson they moved to Elizabeth, N.J. where my dad never left. Our dad's sister Camille was born shortly thereafter. They originally lived on John Street. He moved around Peterstown (The Burg) to Palmer Street, South Seventh St, Niles Street and then Redcliffe Street. Dad told stories of how each block had their own gangs. He was a smaller skinny kid who was picked on at an early age so he had to learn to fight as a way of survival and respect. His family nickname was "Burling Backs" and many were called "Rip."

My dad's parents were raised by Sicilian parents who didn't speak English and carried over a lot of customs from the "Old country."

Before I write all his accomplishments I want you to get a flavor of who he was.

He loved good food. He was a connoisseur of quality local eateries. He knew when they got deliveries. He knew who used the good sausage. He knew not just what to order but also what NOT to order.

He knew when certain cooks were working as well as certain waitresses. He knew where to sit. Always reminding me of trying to put your back to the wall so you can see everything. He knew that this restaurant was good but reminded me to tell them to "go easy on the salt, they use too much salt."

He always preferred to give his money to local guys (No credit cards). Whatever he bought he tried to buy it locally and support people in his community first.

He knew how certain people got ahead and when they did so unethically he would never frequent their business no matter how popular it became. He frequented the same few places all the time.

Recently, we brought him to a seafood boil place in Neptune that we loved. He was very hesitant. We finally arrived in the parking lot and when we got there he saw a pizzeria. Before we could get to the boil he had to go in to check out "Luigi's." He came back out and said, "This guy has good stuff. I can see he's using good ingredients. Lets go here. And the guy's a Sijjy." I said We're going to the seafood boil. I forced him to the boil. He got up and left and then came back. He actually really liked the seafood boil with garlic and butter. We left after eating a huge meal. Then he said "Now let's go to the other joint." We went to Luigi's and he spoke with the owner as if they grew up together and we ordered and ate another great meal. That's how dad rolled. By the way, he wouldn't let me pay for anything. Nothing. Not even the tip. Many times I tried to sneak the bill and when he found out he grabbed me and insisted on paying "The freight, tab or damage "as he called it.

Our dad Mike told stories from guys in the neighborhood who were "doing awright" and when they got a new pair of shoes they would see a guy who had the same size foot and give him every new pair to "break them in" and then give them back. That was an honor to some of the really poor guys.

Dad taught us to drive. He said it's safest to drive with two hands. But it's more comfortable to drive with one hand. And to do that you take your right hand over the top of the steering wheel and let your hand hang over at the wrist. And that's how we drove. Also you should lean over to the right while you're driving, "A mean lean."

When you turn left, always put your hand out the window to signal your left turn.

Never be afraid of being rejected in business or in life. If you're afraid of a "No" you'll never get to a "Yes."

Mike Guarino wore Italian tank tops. He hated turtle necks. He believed dressing properly was important. If you dressed up you showed that you care about yourself and you respected the person or event that you're attending.

Food quality was important. Even if you were barbecuing. He bought Sabrett or Thumann's hot dogs.

Many years ago we had a food stand at St Rocco's Italian Festival in Peterstown, Elizabeth NJ. He made signs to describe every ingredient we used in the Cavatelli and broccoli, all the way down to the brand of Olive Oil. He believed that good ingredients mattered and people would pay extra if the quality was right. And if they didn't know the difference he didn't want their business.

He loved New Jersey and Elizabeth. He told stories of going to Keansburg Amusement Park, eating Hiedelburgs hot dogs, french fries with vinegar, riding go-karts and bumper cars. He brought us there many times as kids. He preferred the older places because they had character and told stories. He reminded me of his friend "Johnny Fundzalo." Which as many know today was slang to let your friends know that your funds were low, aka broke. He spoke in a different slang with money; a "Cuter" a bean, a sore buck, a fin.

He also would add "iz '' in between the words. If he wanted to say watch but also keep it low key for some reason then he would say "Wiz-atch."

He loved to get his initials embroidered on the end of his shirt sleeve, "MLG."

He loved his Doo-Wop music. He talked of hanging out on the corner with his friends harmonizing in areas that had nice echoes like hallways and certain intersections. He loved slow songs and slow dancing. He wasn't big into Elvis or Sinatra. He respected them but his thing was Doo-Wop, or Shooby-Doo-Wop. I used to stay up with him on Sunday nights and listen to Don K Reed's Doo-Wop Shop on CBS radio. It was late, I think about 11 or 11:30 but for that half hour they would bring on live studio guests and they would sing acapella. He loved it. And after that show I would get private inside info on the singers and the shows he attended growing up.

My dad Mike Guarino had a tough exterior. But after understanding how he grew up and the challenges he lived with I understood him more and more. Once he accepted you he was very warm, very generous and very funny.

A little over 45 years ago he met a group of people who were very instrumental in helping him get his life on track. He was dedicated to this new "Group." He respected the process and believed in it 100%. This fit his personality perfectly. He was always the underdog and now he could help himself and other underdogs. He believed in them and they believed in him. He met and made life-long friends. They were and are men and women of high character and he held their friendships close to his heart.

Dad played baseball. He loved 3rd base. Whenever we went to Yankee Stadium we would sit on the 3rd base side. He grew up a Cleveland Indians fan as well as a Green Bay Packer guy. He LOVED Billy Martin! That was his brand of baseball, sacrifices, hit-and-run, moving runners over, getting big hits , being passionate and hustling. Always hustling. No excuses. He always said "There's no excuse for a baseball player who doesn't hustle. He's a bum. I don't care how many home runs he hits. If he doesn't hustle he's a bum." He loved the way Pete Rose played baseball, too.

Dad went on to play fast-pitch softball and was a damn good switch-hitter. He talked of an era when he was small when the parks were mobbed with people watching great fast-pitch softball games. I remember him mentioning a team called "The Disgusted Millionaires." I also remember watching him play softball on Sunday mornings at O'Brien field with the La Polla's softball team. My grandfather Lenny Guarino would do all the cooking after the games. Sometimes he made capozzell (goat heads). My dad got involved in coaching at North Elizabeth Youth Baseball League. First with the Bears where we won a championship, then on to the Mets where we won 2 more championships. He was honored to coach the NEYBL All-Stars at the Roselle Park Invitational Tournament. We were seeded last at 42-1. We finished 3rd and were the only one to beat the champs. He was proud. I remember how he fought for new uniforms and won. He wanted us to look like "The Swingin' A's" of the 70's wearing white, green and gold. We looked great! Dad went on to be league president at NEYBL.

He heard that the Cuban league in Elizabeth was good baseball so he managed Emanueli and Fernandez Ins., as well as multiple all-star teams.

Our dad loved baseball and everything about it. He would make a baseball analogy for all life experiences.

Dad and mom (Joyce Bigelow- Guarino) were married in 1962 on St Patrick's Day. My brother was born first and me a year later.

My brother Michael is a hands-on person who could fix everything. He started with bikes and after helping my dad with fixing cars he made the transition to autos.

After 15 years of marriage my parents were divorced but maintained a friendship until the end.

Dad met Lorraine (Demeter) about 45 years ago and they were companions the rest of his life.

Dad loved his heritage, family, food and friends.

He bragged about his

grand daughter Raquel... all of her achievements through high school, Yale, and her career. He said his mom would've been so proud.

grandson Vincent Michael...and all his achievements, Rapping, High School, Rutgers, and his job as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

He was so proud to be an Italian-American. and an Elizabeth resident. He founded the Columbus Parade Association 500 of Union County in 1986.

He helds parades through the center of Elizabeth culminating in Peterstown. He was proud to honor many great Grand Marshalls

-Former Boxing Champion Joey Giardello

-Elizabeth Police Chief Gene Mirabella

-Elizabeth High School Principal and Georgetown University graduate Dominic Parisi

and many others...

My dad Mike Guarino loved amateur boxing. He used to take us as early as 8 or 9 years old to the Elizabeth (NJ) Armory to see the Golden Gloves every Friday night. The armory was packed with people on the floor and in the balcony. The place was full of smoke and people screaming. They would have 20 fights in one night. and a few more fights outside the ring. A few times a riot broke out. He sent me under a table as he stood guard over me. After a few minutes it was back to normal and the bouts continued. I never told my mom about the "Extra" fights. We saw many great bouts and experienced the pulse of Elizabeth. When I got a little older he got me a job for $22/night. I had to call the results into the Star Ledger and the Elizabeth Daily Journal over the screaming people while making sure to have enough change for the pay phone. Dad was teaching me to "Hustle."

We met so many boxing champions, fighters, promoters and referees. But my dad had an eye for creativity. There was a very old corner man who he befriended. He would tell me that "this guy should be in the movies, He's perfect!' He's " A character." One of my favorite songs of all-time is``Bad to the Bone" by George Thorogood. And MTV was in its early stages. maybe a year or so had gone by then I saw George Thorogood's Bad to the Bone video. George is playing pool against Bo Diddley (Whom my dad liked as well) and then there he is, the guy that my dad said was a "Character" right in the coolest, "Baddest" boxer/pool room video ever!

In the summer...

We were poor growing up so on nice days my dad would say "Let's go for a ride" we all got in the '66 Buick Special or the '71 Buick Skylark and we drove. We drove and drove and initially I would wonder where we were going but then I remembered "we were going for a ride, that's it! lol. But in the hot summer the car ride gave you a breeze and that was cool.

My dad had some superstitions,

we could not cross the bats in the dugout and if we went on a winning streak he tried to repeat things so as to not break the streak.

My dad Mike Guarino loved and respected veterans.

He told me of his Uncle Paul who was wounded in war and later died from his injuries after he returned home. But my dad said that his Uncle Paul asked him "If you ever get a chance, Mike do something for the veterans." He loved and respected his uncle and vowed that he would honor his request.

The city of Elizabeth had a Columbus statue in the center of town and my dad Mike Guarino was contacted about moving the statue as he was president and founder of the Columbus Parade Association 500th of Union County. He saw the opportunity to honor his Uncle Paul and other veterans. He agreed to move the Columbus statue to O'Brien Field on one condition, that the vacated site be only used for a Vietnam Veterans Monument. They agreed. My dad contacted Herb Worthington. Herb was the President of NJ State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America (#779). My dad (Guarino's Co op Advertising) worked with Herb to raise money for a monument that named all the Elizabeth residents who gave their life for this country in Vietnam. That monument with all those names of Elizabeth's fallen heroes stands proudly in the center of Elizabeth at Elizabeth Avenue, between MLK Jr Plaza and Winfield Scott Plaza. My dad Mike Guarino honored his Uncle Paul's wishes.

Looking back and realizing the finality of death, it's painful to think we won't see or hear him again. I wish and pray but wake-up and it's the same day and he's still gone.

Cancer is a brutal, relentless evil. I never knew how devastating it was until this. My heart goes out to all those who have suffered through this and I pray that not one one person has to face this dreadful illness.

I don't know what the lesson is, I only know that life is short. Love, laugh, eat well and root for the underdog,

We will never forget you, dad.

Leonard N Guarino

My dad Mike Guarino also appeared in the movie Tarantella, he and my Aunt Katie (née Marino) Disano. Dad was bs’ing with actor Frank Pellegrino and getting along well. He had pastries delivered from Bella Palermo bakery and told him of all the right spots to eat at, too. Later, Frank Pellegrino told my dad “Mike you’re in the next scene and you have a line.” My dad said “Wait, let me go home and change!” Frank said “No Mike, you look perfect for the part.”

My dad did "Shape up" work for Budweiser, drove trucks and bar-tended in his early life. He eventually got a job at the Citizen Newspaper where he sold ads. He later opened up his own advertising and promotional business called Guarino' Co Op Advertising. He was the "go to" guy for Centanni's, Kolkers, Bella Palermo, and others.

Michael Guarino worked as a Center Director for 29 years at the Recreation Department for the City of Elizabeth where he most recently retired. He put souvenir programs together like "Peterstown, My Peterstown" and NJ Golden Gloves and NJ Diamond Gloves as well as the program for The Elizabeth Police Department's PBA Local #4 Unity Dance where we cleared over $25,000 and held a sold-out event at the Newark Airport Marriott Hotel with over 400 people in attendance.

Michael Guarino knew it could be done from the start and Vito Tropeano and myself followed his lead.

Towards the end my dad never waivered. Never cried and always thought he could win.

In the last few weeks his condition began to decline rapidly.

As Marita and I stood by him he struggled more and more. One day he wanted a Dunkin Donuts coffee so I headed out and my wife Marita stayed with him as she had many other times. When I left he wasn't talking and hadn't slept in many days. When I returned and before I could open the door I could hear Do-Wop music. My father loved Doo-Wop/acapella songs. When I opened the door my dad was singing "Here Comes Annie" swinging his arms snapping his fingers and my wife was laughing. I was in the middle of one of his Doo-Wop stories and he was chair dancing as if he had one arm around a partner with his wrist slightly downward, as I remembered from previous stories, was the proper way to hold your partner and slow dance. He went on to talk about Joey Dee and the Star Liters, The Dubs, The Crests, The Duprees, and local groups that would battle others and win but never got "the shot" they deserved. My dad was always rooting for the underdog. My dad identified with the underdog.

Well, my wife stayed next to our underdog comforting him, caring for him and listening to him. It was clear to her and I that he was dying.

We tried everything we could but he was getting weaker. In one of his last few days Marita asked him if he wanted a chocolate milkshake? My dad loved Chocolate Milk Shakes. So, we got the staff to make him one. He was barely drinking drops of water. But when my wife got him that shake he perked up and drank the entire shake. He wouldn't quit. So he didn't. I remember when I was in high school and feeling down he brought me a copy of the poem Don't Quit. I hung it up in my room and it inspired me. " (paraphrase) when things go wrong as they sometimes will......when the funds are low and the debts are high and you want to smile but have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit...rest if you must but Don't Quit."

With my wife Marita and I next to him he wouldn't quit. As sad as it was to go through, it was also beautiful in a strange way. I got to tell my dad thank you so many times in so many ways. Thinking back of some not-so perfect memories I realized he was doing his best, the best way he knew. He gave 100% and always "Hustled" and for that I'm grateful. I've forgiven that other stuff. In his last days we saw his love so much more clearly. The scary part was watching a tough man fight a tougher opponent but like one of his heroes, Jake LaMotta when Sugar Ray beat him for the last time Jake said "What's the matter Sugar, you couldn't knock me down? You never knocked me down!" My dad was not ever going to get knocked down," not this underdog.