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Jim
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 08:34 am |
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I was deep surfing ( I go to 100 pages or more) the net the other day
and had googled Culebra streets or old photos and came up with
this it was on a blog just as "Downtown Culebra" It apparently is
our old friend Captain Mike Lostritto spring of '92.
For you newbies, Captain Mike was a downtown daily regular for
years. ex WW II Marine, ex-newspaper guy, and sailing Captain. He
lost his fiberglass Schooner when it got tangled with Jack Stricklands
boat in Hurricane Marilyn, Mike's boat had also already survived
Hugo. Mikes boat lost its hook and wound up in the Bruley
Mangroves and may have made it except it was now nailed by a 60
foot behemoth here from St.Thomas. Anybody remember his boats
name? Remember what is tatoo'd on his fingers?
There are so many great stories about Capt. Mike,if you have a favorite
now would be the time to share, I understand someone will show
him this post and comments.
Shout out to Mike, Hey Mike, you are one of the great ones, we really
miss your company, thinking of you a lot recently. Jim and Barbara
If you have a story or a hello for Mike now would be the time
to post themAttachment: Capt.Mike.png (Downloaded 200 times) Last edited on Thu Jun 5th, 2008 03:11 am by Jim
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"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." -- John Kenneth Galbraith
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admin
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 01:28 pm |
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oh boy....all you need to do is say Capt. Mike, and a smile goes across my face......and we certainly have shared some giggles.....and over many, many moons!!! to many to list here, but Mike, if you do get a chance to read this....thanks for the smiles......and the love....
P.S. Sexy Legs!!!
Laurie
Here is one of my favorite pictures.......it's taken down at Lilly's -- which was the Friday Happy Hour spot in front of the original Barbara Rosas.....we'd start there, and end up with Chuck on the wall......
some faces newbies might not recognize in the picture include Gordon Gifford, Joe and Arlene Hayes and Conrad.....and of coarse Capt. Mike...
Attachment: mike.jpg (Downloaded 184 times) Last edited on Wed Jun 4th, 2008 03:47 pm by admin
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admin
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 03:12 pm |
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oh boy.....i decided to hunt through the old pictures.....and found some good old ones......
here's more of the same Happy Hour......some of you may recognize Bobby Cennerino's tongue....what was up with that thing he did in your ear after one too many? This may have been the same night he pole danced at Happy Landings.
Attachment: mike1 1.jpeg (Downloaded 182 times) Last edited on Wed Jun 4th, 2008 03:48 pm by admin
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admin
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 03:16 pm |
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and Mike, you are one heck of a harmonica player!! And the cool thing is you know more songs than Simon and Garfunkel and Graham Nash (don't tell the guitar player I said that).
how many times did Chuck or Willy throw us out on the street for drinking a few and thinking we could all sing on tune????
Attachment: mike2.jpeg (Downloaded 180 times)
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admin
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 03:19 pm |
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and here's one that you might enjoy Mike -- Billy T's pig roast -- at his original house......lots of good memories there!
Attachment: mike3.jpeg (Downloaded 183 times)
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admin
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 03:25 pm |
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and lastly -- I'm pretty sure you were at this party, but I couldn't find photographic evidence of such, but thought some readers might enjoy seeing this.....the World Famous Moon Tube in action!!! I've been asked many times about this....and it's hard to describe -- I thought a picture would be worth a thousand words.
This particular full moon fell on the same day of Paradise's Clearance Sale preceeding the move from her next door to Chuck's location to Mamacitas. It was a VERY long day, but one with many memories filled with giggles. Here I am on the end, Ann, Capt. Pat, and Greg (and I think Arlene on the end -- but she seems to have let go of the tube)......and I think we even managed to drink and not wear this round!
Attachment: moon_tube.jpeg (Downloaded 180 times)
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Life is short. Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
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Jim
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 04:51 pm |
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Ah what memories! thank you Laurie for posting those
fotos of the old street parties in front of the old Barbara
Rosa's. Must have been around '91. Joe Hayes looked so
much younger I didn't recognize him at first. I believe that
is Joanna lurking to the right.
Captain Mike's favorite daytime haunt was Cafe Culebra
(Gails) or the "Sunny Place for Shady People" and some
afternoons sideyard (canal) BR's with the other old salts.
Late afternoon or early evening Chuck's Pizza and
"the wall" Anybody got pics?
And the parties at Greg's with Conrad's sing alongs
and Captain Mike joining in, the best. And once in a blue
moon John Macone on concertina! In case someone missed
Admin's ref to Conrad, he had an incredible repertoire of
oldies and he was incredibly good on Cat Stevens stuff.
The Culebra of yesteryear, we spent more time out on the
streets entertaining each other with music and tall tales.
It was better that way, we are working on restoring it.
____________________
"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." -- John Kenneth Galbraith
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Diving Debbie
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 10:24 pm |
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| My goodness - you are ALL SO YOUNG! What happened?
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Island Woman MJ
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 02:12 am |
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At last! The infamous Moon Tube in real life. I've heard enough stories, and it's true, hearing and seeing are very different, no matter how much description Mike gives me! Thanks, Laurie! And a glass raised to Capt. Mike, whom I got to know a little bit, hanging at the plaza...
Debbie, sounds like close to 15 or so years happened...and it will happen to you too, young'un!
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Jim
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 02:44 am |
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Yep time flies, I was 42, Now I'm 62, Mike was well
into his 60's but really looked like early 50"s.
Those twenty years seem like a lifetime in and of
itself. How our world was enhanced and
enriched by our unique people-centric way
of small town living, is really amazing. I'm
so glad a major portion of my life was in "this"
world.
As to that other world that is hard to ignore I
mentioned the fact that Mike had a newspaper/
writer background, he continuously writes
op-eds and comments, here is Mike in the
National Review
"-Remember when one of the
popular battle cries of the '60s was,
"Tell it like it is!"? We must have more
of Roger Kimball. In his Harvard tale he
constantly, unerringly, hit the nail on the head.
This story of Harvard's hypocrisy and shame left
no bent nails: Every one was hammered straight
and true. Michael Lostritto, Culebra Island
Mike was 82 when he wrote this!
Today Mike is 87, We are all in the stream of
life, different places, some ahead , some behind.
Looking back, having had a great and interesting
life is a real blessing, Mike's has been one of
the best.Last edited on Thu Jun 5th, 2008 02:10 pm by Jim
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"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." -- John Kenneth Galbraith
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Jim
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Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 07:09 pm |
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I am truly saddend to report that Captain Mike
passed away this morning at the VA Hospital in
West Palm Beach. Family services are pending.
He will be cremated and his ashes interred at
the Lake Worth National Cemetery. A sympathy
card will be available for signatures at
Excetera for the next two days.
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"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." -- John Kenneth Galbraith
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admin
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Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 07:15 pm |
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| may the winds carry him to his next destination.....Culebra just isn't the same without him.
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CAPTMIKESNEPHEW
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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 11:57 pm |
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I am Capt Mike's nephew Joe. My dad was Mike's older brother.
Just wanted to thank you all for your postings about my Uncle Mike.
We loved him so and he will be forever in our hearts. I was in Culebra once to see him. It was probably around 1983 or 1984. I have so many great memories of that trip. Starting with my Uncle Mike picking me up at the Culebra airport in a vintage 1940's troop transport truck which was in dire need of a muffler. I know it wasn't his, he borrowed it from someone but seeing my Uncle Mike a real deal ex WWII Marine in that old truck waiting for me at the airport is forever etched in my mind. There were a lot of upset goats and chickens at the sound of that truck coming down the then quiet Culebra streets. I had a grin on my face from ear to ear as my Uncle showed me your beautiful Island.
For the person who posted the memories about my Uncles boat but could not remember the name. It was the High Barbaree. She was built in Freeport NY on Long Island. I don't remember who the designer was but she was a beautiful gaff rigged schooner about 36ft long.
Have some wonderful memories of my Uncle, my Dad, Mikes sons Mike Jr and Steve sailing with him on the Great South Bay around 1975-1976 before my Uncle Mike said goodbye to the mainland way of life forever.
Thank you all for your thoughts and memories I will pass them on to our family.
Joe
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Island Woman MJ
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Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 12:10 am |
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Joe,
Thank you so much for your posting...your story adds another to the many of Mike. A friend of ours was recalling a photo of himself and Mike in Islands magazine from *back when* and we're trying to locate it.
Big footprints, special man.
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admin
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Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 12:39 am |
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thanks for sharing Joe.....you are so blessed by having such wonderful and full memories of a very special man......
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CAPTMIKESNIECE
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Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 04:15 am |
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Hi everyone...
I am Joe's niece and Captain Mike's great niece. Captain Mike's brother was my grandfather. I only met my uncle Mike once when I was old enough to remember it but I will never forget because he taught me to play cards. I was only good a Slap Jack since I was about 5 or 6. Also he carried a red bandana as a handkerchief which I was fascinated by and as he was leaving he gave me one. My grandfather always told me great stories about him. I'm glad he had so many friends and was so loved.
Best,
Angela
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la partera
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 08:12 pm |
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Would like to share a story about Captain Mike, that some might know. When my son was born in 1985 I saw Capt. Mike on the street in Culebra with my baby boy. He said "So what's his name" I answered "Jean-Francois". Well ,he just started laughing and laughing  and he said "when this kid starts school they will be calling him Johny Frenchfries".
I will miss you Capt Mike but I know you are helping guide Capt Jean-Francois into safe waters..........
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admin
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 09:23 pm |
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oh, I love it!!! a good belly laugh is just what the doctor (or in this case, midwife) ordered. Thanks mom!!
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and never regret anything that made you smile!
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Island Woman MJ
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 09:41 pm |
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and now I know what to call him when I see him next...Johnny Frenchfries works...at least once
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