Al D'Agostino

My first real interaction with Al D’Agostino was at the reading of my father’s will. Yes, Al was my fathers lawyer... but he was more than that. Leaning back in his chair, he took a moment - a personal moment - to express, to my sisters and I, his feelings for our father.
As it is for all of us, there is no way to be aware of the depth of shared history. Only after our loved ones are gone do we learn of the memories shared, the stories, and the impact they may have had.
I am delighted to share his reminiscences to this tribute site.

Parting Words

“Charlie was this big strong strapping guy. And his personality... He was like a rock. He saw things black, white. Right, wrong. There was NO grey, that's just the way he was. This is not a criticism. He was like John Wayne, you had the ‘Black Hats’ and the ‘White Hats.’ When he passed, I felt terrible. Here was this man from my youth, and he was gone.”
{These are the reflections that really get to me. My father really touched people to their core. What a testament to anyone.}
Al’s words kept coming, “I gotta tell you, you learn things from people you deal with over the years. Sometimes you don’t realize what you learn, until your old enough to look back and see. Charlie didn’t say a lot, but what he said there was a lot of meaning to. He was very honest. He was very straight. You could take to the bank whatever he said - that was it.”
He thought for another moment, “The last time I saw him, it was like looking at the Rock of Gibraltar aged.” {Sadly true. Dad was thinner and, unfortunately, dealing with issues of MS.} Though, as Al made sure to point out, “He was accepting of it. He never said, ‘Oh, why me?”
“When you’re young, your immortal, until you see somebody with Charlie’s characteristics age. It’s a reality check that we are mortal.” Another daunting truth.
My father had his fair share of health issues toward the end of his years. Though his physical shell was betraying him, his inner Self did not. He was clear and strong to the very end... including his last ultimate and final decision.
{MS and CHF joined their evil forces, and on November 8, 2002, they wreaked their final blow. Dad always said he would never live hooked up to a machine... True to his words, and to himself, he gave the doctors his final order.}

How they met.

Bartering for Charlie was hallmark. Talent and capabilities afforded him many win-win situations, solutions... as well as long term relationships.
Al met my father through his brother, Gerald Jr. In order to spend time with his girlfriend, Gerald Jr. walked many blocks. It was a distance people today would not likely walk, but back in the 60’s, not even thought about. Along his travels, he came across horse stables, still graced with their accompanying horses. How charming to think that people once rode these massive animals down the grassy, center median of Peninsula Boulevard. This may have proved a pleasant stroll... back then... Today this notion would prove a catastrophe. Located on the same street was Pacer's.
The friendship developed between Dad and Gerald Jr., set in motion another relationship... one between Pacer’s Auto and Albert’s Plating Works. This was a family business, and Gerald Sr. ran it with pride. He ~ along with 120 employees ~ chrome plated everything... from furniture fabrication, boat parts, to various parts on cars... ashtray covers... to grills for 1955-57 Fords... They even did electroplating for General Electric. Many times Gerald Sr. handled projects personally, as he took great measures in the work at hand and for the relationships he had with his customers. Al rubbed his hands as he told this tale, remembering the many thousands of pieces he completed... his joints still bearing the brunt of the work.
When Pacer’s began building the Dune Buggies, the bartering between the two companies - and moreover the relationship - was forged. “Charlie had this idea. Why should they buy the roll bars? My father could make the roll bars and plate them ...and whatever else they had to have plated.” It was a win-win solution. {Dad was always bartering! Always.}
It was fun listening to Al reminisce. He described some of my own memories... For example, how the shell dune buggy bodies, much like odd shaped bathtubs, were stacked inside each other. They lined the loft shelfs to the back of the shop. It was as if you could feel them waiting... just waiting, for their turn to come alive.
In fact, one of those ‘odd shaped bathtubs’ did come alive for Gerald Jr. He ended up with a stunning, pimped-out ride of its day. A silver flaked body, and ~ of course ~ every bit of chrome bling you could muster. Al lit up as he thought back, “It was beautiful.”

Gerald Jr.'s Dune Buggy

Gerald Jr. was the proud owner of one of the infamous Pacer's Dune Buggy's. A silver flaked body, and every bit of chrome bling you could muster. "It was beautiful!" The ultimate pimped-out ride of its day.