Do you have a hero? Some people look up to sports figures, actors, military personnel often referring to them as heroes. The criteria for labeling someone a hero is subjective and it’s very personal.
Many Commack residents have identified Michael (Mickey) DeMartis as a hero and on January 19 they honored Mickey posthumously by having Wyoming Street, the block where he grew up, named Mickey’s Way.
In an emotional ceremony a group of fifty plus people joined together to celebrate the life of Mickey and to mourn his loss.
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Calling it an update, Mickey’s dad, Mike DeMartis brought everyone to tears as he began the ceremony with “Mickey, it’s Dad.” The heartbreak was palatable.
Mickey DeMartis died in December of 2011 at the age of 28. He was born in 1983 and was diagnosed with significant congenital heart defects. During his short life he experienced eight open-heart surgeries and fifty-five cardiac catheterizations. He had his first surgery at six months of age his last was at the age of 17. Mickey graduated from Commack HS in 2001 and attended Farmingdale State College. He died December 12, 2011, six months before he was to graduate.
Family and friends describe Mickey as a fighter who never gave up. He was loved by everyone and returned that love generously. He was wise for his age, having experienced hardships that most of us will never experience. “I have learned to live my life one day at a time because I have learned how precious life can be and should never be taken for granted.” Mickey DeMartis.
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Mickey’s life ended too soon. For his family and friends, neighbors and classmates his life was a life of meaning. Several people at the ceremony wore shirts with words that guided Mickey’s life, “You just have to keep on fighting and never give up.” Despite never being able to play baseball, never being able to ride a bicycle, despite suffering a stroke and paralysis in his senior year of high school Mickey never gave up.
Overcoming life’s challenges, never giving up, living for the day and never forgetting to say “I love you”, most people say are qualities that make someone a hero.
Mickey DeMartis is a Commack Hero.
Mickey’s sister Tracy Passamenti had this to say at the January 19 ceremony.
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“This day is a national holiday to pay tribute to a man (Martin Luther King Jr.) who fought hard every day for equality. He never gave up his on fight because it was too important. He will never be forgotten .
Another man made it his mission in life to teach people to never give up on their fight in life. That person is my brother, Mickey DeMartis. Despite the many battles he had to face he never gave up. Today, we are honoring Mickey as we rename the street that he grew up on. It will be known as “Mickey’s Way”. Those words chosen will make me think every time I go down that street about the WAY in which he lived and how he constantly helped others to see the WAY out of difficulties.
They said that street naming is not even considered unless it was sadly a fallen soldier. My brother was a soldier. He battled 8 open heart surgeries, 55 cardiac catheterizations by age 28 and WON them all. He had to fight every day just to survive and yet put that aside to help others. He deserves this most amazing honor. We should all take a moment to be thankful for these two men today who undoubtedly changed our world for the better.” (Mickey DeMartis FB)
In addition to the naming of Wyoming St. as Mickey’s Way there is a $20,000 annual scholarship awarded in Mickey’s name at Commack High School, and a room at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital has been dedicated to Mickey DeMartis.