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!
In as much as our lofts are
concerned.....we shall be staying with the name of
Pacific Crest Lofts, which we established back in 1989,
while residing within Washington State. During that period of time....I was
taken "under the wing", so to speak, by the great, Manfred Ecker, of
deserved Modena Fame. Mr. Ecker and I not only became super friends.....but
he served as my mentor, hero and pigeon breeding Professor! Pacific Crest
Lofts will remain closely associated to Mr. Eckers' favorite color's,
factor's and modifier's..... BLACK, ANDALUSION, INDIGO AND REDUCED....with
the addition of two of my personal favorites.......Dominant Opal
and Grizzle.
In
closing.....it has come to our attention that very, very few members have
taken the time to fill out their Membership Information and.....with all due
respect, we urge you, folks, to consider doing so! It is quite apparent
that Dennis has really produced a most excellent web site, for our club, The
WFC and.....has provided each and every member the opportunity to include
any and all information, in their behalf, and....what they feel would be
pertinent to the enlightenment of other members and or prospective members,
reading our web site for the very first time! Please take a moment, of your
time, and do so.
Cordially Yours,
Mark Fischer-Fichera