Gary Mandrino

Personal- Right after graduation, I started at Gleason Works in Rochester and worked there for almost seven years. For a couple of years I worked for Tony Mangiamele at The Farm Restaurant before opening the Roman Village in Groton, New York in 1973. Owned the Roman Village for 27 years but in 2001 had the opportunity to sell it to one of my bartenders and grabbed that opportunity. Over those 27 years, I sponsored many pool league teams, dart league teams, and horseshoe pitching teams. In 1993 I was one of the "founding fathers" of Groton’s indoor horseshoe pitching courts establishment which is still going strong. They now get horseshoe pitchers from all around the Northeast, many from Pennsylvania. It even sponsors Sanctioned Tournaments now for those wishing to compete in State and World Tournaments. I was also a member of Groton’s Business Association and even President one year. Met my wife, Sue, in 1988 and we were married in 1993 on Captain Bill’s boat in the middle of Seneca Lake. She said, "either say I do, or swim" and since I can’t swim well, I said I do!!! After the bar sold, Sue, and I traveled to North Carolina to visit friends and family (cousin Peter Mady) where they were mowing their lawn for the second time. I came home to 8 inches of snow in the yard and decided to "get out of Dodge." We bought a place in New London, NC, about 40 miles east of Charlotte in 2001 and have been there ever since. I joined the local volunteer fire department, Bethany Fire Department, for a new experience, since I was bored sitting around and to meet neighbors in the area. Took some fire and extrication classes at Charlotte Motor Speedway and began working as a fireman during NASCAR race weekends in May and October. In the last year or so began working more at the track during Legend Car races, Richard Petty Driving School times, and Bandelero car races, either in a fire truck, or a tow truck, or even a flatbed and get paid to enjoy myself while there. Even got a pay raise this year!! We have a garden which I can plant starting the end of March with cauliflower and broccoli and a pool which we can swim in most years in April, and some antique cars (1958 Ford, 1960 Ford Sunliner with continental kit, and 1966 Cherry red mustang). All in all, retirement is great!!