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We lost 2 More great DufferS
Papa Joe Mazarella Passed away on December 17, 2020 as we were still recovering from losing Nick the Hammer Brescia who died 17 days earlier. Nick was our official referee in the 1990s.
Nick "The Hammer" Brescia passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020, he was 97. Nick was a World War II veteran and after the war, he got into the transportation business where he became good friends with the King who was almost 20 years younger than him. The King talked him into coming out to watch a Duffer game one night and he joined us for a few beers. He had fun and decided to join us as a referee. Shortly after that, He showed up every week looking sharp dressed in official referee Cooperalls and referee jersey. Nick continued to referee for us well into his late 70s.
Knick got the "Hammer" nickname one night when he showed up for a game at the Downers Grove Ice rink with a hammer and a bag of 16 penny nails. The locker rooms at the rink did not have any hooks to hang our clothes on, so Hick hammered nails into the board evenly spaced 3 feet apart. He did that in our locker room and then did that in the smoker's locker room. Back then, we had a room for the smokers and one that was smoke free. Nick Jr. sent his love to all of the Duffers.
Nick continued to join us at lunches after he hung up his striped jersey. Nick shared unbelievable War stories with us. He told us about being in a fox hole as a buzz bomb passed overhead. They prayed that the device didn't run out of gas until it passed them. He was the quarterback on the Company football team. He is pictured below with Klinger at the Granato Golf outing.
He will be missed. So very sad. He was a true Duffer legend. ❤ Paula
Many thanks Beak. I believe I met him once at one our games. He lived a great long life. All we can hope and pray for is to be as blessed. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. Take care my friend, Perry
So sorry to hear about Nick. I might met him afew at lunch at the burger place in Lemont. Great guy !! Thanks for keeping us all up date on Duffer History. You are the best ! T&A
Hi Beak, so sorry to hear about Nick the Hammer. He was a great friend and Duffer. His Cousin Dr Brescia was my Anatomy instructor at Loyola Dental school. RIP. Vidas
A good man. Brinks Thanks for passing along this sad news. You can’t squeeze much more out of life than Nick did. I know he was one of my dad’s favorite Duffers. -Mike Presecky
I am truly sorry. But I'm thrilled that he lived a long life and was a Duffer! Karen❤
Papa was born on February 8th, 1930. Joe became my role model because when I was 50, he was playing as a 60 year old. When I was in my 60s with deteriorating hips, Joe was in his 70s and gave me reason to believe I could keep playing for a few more years. He was in great shape, and he was in a theater group. We had 20 duffers and wives watching him in a play. He played a teenager and He entered the stage doing a cartwheel in a letterman's sweater. He was almost 60 at that time.
I sent out the bad news to Joe's Duffer friends and got the following replies:
Perry Lea sent ..... Thank you for your email Beak. So sorry to hear we lost another great Duffer. I loved Papa Joe, he was wonderful man. I recall chatting with him about acting. While getting dressed for a game, I indicated my brother Ron was an actor. I think you pointed out and said, "so is Joe". That is when he shared with me his story about working with Robert DeNiro in the Al Capone movie, The Untouchables. What a great story. I shared the same with my brother the actor who was in awe to learn that Joe got to meet Ron's favorite actor.
Then there was the time my Mom came to visit us to celebrate my daughter's birthday. My Dad stayed in Montreal. He didn't want to miss his bowling. Joe was putting on a cabaret show at the senior retirement community in Romeoville. My Mom and I attended the function. We had a great time. Especially my Mom. She loved the music and couldn't believe how good Joe was at singing and dancing on stage. Although she was still married to my Dad (and loved him dearly), she was smitten with Joe.
I will always remember Joe fondly. Both you and Joe are my hockey mentors. I want to keep playing for as long as God will allow me to. You're an inspiration Beak.
I will keep him and his family in my prayers. Hopefully he will meet up with my Mom and Dad in Heaven. Maybe he can sing a song from one of the tunes he did in the show in Romeoville.
Many thanks for letting me know. If you have a mailing address for his son Joe, I would like to send him a card. Take care, Perry
Anvil sent…. Hey Beak, sorry to hear about Nick the Hammer and now Papa Joe. It seems like 2020 just wont quit with bad news. I've been meaning to email you but couldn't figure how to use my I phone. You brought a tear to Mrs Anvil once again when she read your thanksgiving email with pics..The old cousin Eddie R V. Classic.
If I remember right it was a nice sunny day after our skate. We drank all the beer in the coolers and Kenny ran at least twice for more. I had to ask Uncle Bob, Mini Wheez and I don't know who else to wrap it up because I was serving dinner at 2 and it was 1. I almost put the RV through my gates.. Mrs Anvil was not smiling but I was ,all through dinner. I know Nick Dejesus was giggling. Anyhow on to a little Papa Joe story. Papa Joe and his wife would frequent the Jewel Food store my wife worked at. One day she said I think an older guy that skates with you shops at my store. She said his face looked familiar from Duffer news. Well one day after we got our Duffer jackets, Papa Joe had his on while shopping. My wife said her husband has the same coat, do you skate with the Duffers? Papa says yea what's your husbands name, she replied, "Ed Hawrysio." Joe said, "No, no, I don't know. My wife says quietly like its top secret, well some guys call him The Anvil. Papa says, "OMG why didn't you say Eddie The Anvil, Hes my goalie!" They never missed a chit chat during checkout again, and I always knew when the Papa had a full fridge. He will be missed. Give my condolences to all the family stay safe. The King sent..... Very sad having a loss of another good Duffer. I have many fond memories spending great times with Papa Joe, playing Hockey, Golf, rooming together, and just being with him. RIP my friend. Jerome (Jim) Miceli
“Rest in peace. Prayers and thoughts from Fred, Shirley and John Bobka” Chris Mazurk sent..... Hey Beak, Merry Christmas! Been a tough Duffer year. Hopefully we will get together soon and celebrate the Duffer brotherhood. Papa Joe was the best, he was certainly an inspiration to anyone who plays the game. He certainly had our best wedding speech, “score early and often “ I will miss his smile and easy way. Take care of yourself and family. We will see each other on the other side of this. Best wishes, Chris
Vidas sent.... Thanks, Beak, for stopping by for my mom’s funeral. That meant a lot to me. I was at that play with Slimedog. Papa was great! I told Cowboy Joe that Papa was my favorite Comedian except when on the ice. He was shifty! Have a great Christmas and Happy Vaccine Year! Vidas Formica #25
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