Member Page - Ted Wood

Marks' grandparents, Ned and Maria Fichera, both Sicilian born, migrated from Naples, Italy, to Boston, MA in 1897, in which, throughout the years they were blessed with the birth of eight children....... Anthony, Emilio, Alfio, Johnny, Charlie, Opalena, Marie and Nicholena!! They kept pigeons, within their backyard but.... the birds were. officially, bound for the table and not the 'Showroom", so to speak!! One, by one......their sons' and daughters' eventually moved to the West Coast, in sunny California.....where Mark would be born, in 1950, unto Alfio and Estelle. Alfio and his brother, Anthony began a partnership of raising King pigeons, in Willow Glen, CA, sometime within 1955. Marks' mom, a dedicated cage bird aficionado, kept several different species of finches and a host of colorful budgies.....and it was with predictable certainty, that Mark would somehow become involved within this menagerie of avian culture! By the age of nine..... Mark was afforded a weekly allowance, by his parents, for assisting with the care and maintenance of the pigeons.....as well as the caged birds and.....by the age of eleven found additional income by means of a newspaper route, neighborhood lawn mowing and the, annual, painting of house numbers, applied to the curbside of resident's homes. Realizing a monthly income of $40.00 to $60.00 , for a lad of merely eleven years old in 1961 was something of a really big deal.....back in those days and truly gave Mark not only a sense of responsibility.....but a feeling of worth!! One of Marks' cousins took an interest within racing pigeons and his father, Charlie, a carpenter by trade built him a small loft within their backyard and soon....he had a mess of Belgium Racers, at his dispense. Although the racers held little, if any, importance to Mark, his cousin gave him two pair to "play around ! with"... .....but....it would not be until 1965 that the longing for a place to keep pigeons, of his own would enter the overall picture, so to speak. After mentally "devouring" , his uncles', many, many copies of the American Pigeon Journal and other related pigeon books......Mark found a, profound, liking to the Fantail Pigeon......and soon, thereafter, his father, uncle and himself began the workings of a small eight by ten foot loft within the backyard!! His first fantails were acquired from Tony Battaglia.....an all breeds keeper, in San Jose, CA. A deal was struck and Mark, along with his father and uncle left Mr. B's house, that day, with a box of eight Fans!! But alas......within the next several years to follow......Marks' interest in pigeons seemed to diminish.......as he discovered his "new found" loves'........girls, Harley's and hi-pro hot-rod cars!!! Never the less.....he did retain his loft of fantails, however, for the most part.....the birds suffered through his lack of interest and finally in 1972.....the birds were disposed of. Marks' dad and uncle passed away in 1973 and 1976, respectively and by 1977, Mark married the love of his life.....Catherine Noreen Macdonald and left the Santa Clara Valley, to live in... La Center WA. For the next ten years, on an off and on basis.....the breeding of pigeons, exotic cage and aviary birds re-entered his life.......with several families of birds being purchased through Doug Friend and Don Bass of Everett, WA. and Tracy Ca., respectively. By 1997.....Mark and Cathy were blessed, with the birth of twin, baby girls.....Michelle Muriel and Nicole Emilia. The decision, to relocate once again, was a really tough one......but again, they sold out, pulled up roots and came back, to the Santa Clara Valley of California......sans any pigeons, of course! It was at this point.......Mark was quite sure that he would never, ever band another pigeon again!! But.....through the gentle coaxing and support of , friend, John DeCarlo, in Gilroy, Ca......Mark found much new hope and the realization of breeding thoroughbred pigeons, once again!! At our own SCVPC "Great Western Show" October '05 .....He and his daughter, Nicole, were afforded the opportunity to become members of the "WFC".......and to personally meet many of the super nice members that were in attendance! They would like to present a "bushel full of gratitude and appreciation" towards Dennis and Monica Soares for genuinely extending their friendship and providing, both Nicole and Mark, with a pair of quality birds to commence upon their hobby with fantails! To Larry Rosales for sharing several of his birds with Mark and Nicole.....and....to Rusty C, Dennis L , Clint M, Julio O, Mal S Sr and the Lobenstiens for warmly welcoming them into The Club!! What a great , extended, family of folks to share the good times, fellowship and.....the viewing, in regard to the "fruits of their labor".........some awfully nice Fantails, at the Great Western!