Saturday, June 30, 2007

Interview: Fastuca Family, Part One

This is the first of a multi-part interview on the Fastuca Family, one of the First Families of the Saints.

Fastuca Family Recap:
All immediate family members participated in marching or running the Saints

  • Tony: Assistant Director, Treasurer, Trustee, Quartermaster, Bus / Truck / Van Driver
  • Lorraine Sr: Executive Chef in charge of Meatballs, Other Member Support
  • Michael: (original corps member) drum line, horn line
  • Gary: (original corps member) drum line
  • Lorraine: color guard
  • Maureen: color guard

On Friday, June 29, 2007, I had the great and grand opportunity to spend a few hours dining and chatting with Michael and Maureen. I've seen Maureen off and on over the years, most recently at the Menlo Park Mall gathering earlier in June. Mike, on the other hand, I've not seen in LOTS of years!

Not surprising to me, they both had lots of marching memories to share. When asked about the member / board member / instructor who had the greatest influence on them, both spoke very lovingly about their parents, Tony and Lorraine. Having their parents so actively involved in what we did as a corps is something both still treasure deeply.

Next, they were asked, "If there was one person you would like to thank for something during your time in the Saints, who would it be and why?" Here's how they answered:

  • Mike: "It would be Mrs. French. She kept me out of trouble and didn't squeal on me."
  • Maureen: "Tony Cataneo. He gave me lots of encouragement and confidence, especially towards the end of the corps."

One question seemed to give them both pause; I'm guessing it's because the answer seemed obvious without need to ask the question to begin with.

  • What was / is the best thing about being a member of the Saints family?
    Both answered simply, "The family."

Here are the rest of their answers:

  • Corps Number: Neither could remember
  • Which Bus: Mike rode the Boys Bus (also known as the Cage);
    Maureen rode the Girls Bus, and then Bus 8
  • Membership Years: Mike was an original member; Maureen joined late in 1973
  • How Competed: Mike competed winter season in the ensemble;
    Maureen competed winter season with the Sematics. Both competed summer season.
  • Corps Organizations: As a member of the Baritone Line, Mike was available for weddings, funerals, Bar Mitzvahs, and other occasions. Both were members of the Saints Italian-American Club.
  • Prior / Post Corps Experiences: Neither marched before nor after their time with the Saints
  • Favorite Season: Both agreed on the 1975 Summer Season
  • Favorite Piece of Saints Music: Both agreed on the 1975 repertoire
  • Favorite Show: Both agreed on the 1975 summer show in Virginia
  • Why Joined the Saints: For Mike, it was a personal invitation. Ray Chmieleski mentioned to their mom that he was starting a new drum corps in the parish, and he asked if her boys would be interested in taking a look. Maureen was too young to start marching in 1967, but she remembers hanging out at rehearsals, parades, and shows with her family before she and Lorraine joined their older brothers in the corps.
  • Why Left the Saints: In Mike's case, work called ... Maureen was there until the end.

These days, Mike is still globetrotting as a consultant, though the trips are less frequent than before his retirement from the federal government. He lives in Manassas, Virginia. Maureen is a manager with AT&T, both working and living in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Thanks to Mike and Maureen for sharing their SaintsStories with us!

jo

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