The friendship began over a half century ago. To this day, it is as strong and valued as much as it was back in first grade for these two fellow WHS classmates; Mike Ladjack and Mark Panzera. True friendship is in many ways a definition of a success story. We chose to highlight two buddies this month that built a simple success story anchored all these years by their friendship and mutual passion for fishing.
At the age of six Mike and Mark first became friends when their footprints were still fresh in the hallways of St. James. They began fishing together at what most of us considered the forbidden swimming hole, Rafty’s on upper Main Street. Throughout the years, despite several family moves and career changes, stints in the armed services, the friendship always remained strong. What started at Rafty’s led them to Roosevelt Park, Rahway Park and eventually to numerous states around the country and even Canada to fish.
With Mark and his family now living in Connecticut, Mike in Jersey, they look forward each summer to their annual getaway reunion. A week of fishing with families sharing a good time on a lake together. During the day, it’s all about being on the water with the pure joy of fishing surrounded by the silence of nature. Catch and release are the rules of the game, along with no live bait. In between the annual family reunion the guys get together year round and wet the lines in numerous lakes throughout the northeast. The results are amazing. Although it’s fun to be able to land impressive catches, if asked, both would honestly say that the real payoff is the time shared with each other, time that each has wisely invested in over the years.
When we fish, sure we catch stuff and learn much, but ultimately we are making memories, and the most important people in our lives are the ones with which we share these memories. When I was younger I used to fish with both Mark and Mike and the days kind of run together in my mind. However, the jokes, excitements and moments shared with them stand apart - as some of the most treasured moments in my life.
Mark and Mike...you two learned the secret of success...in a friendship of over fifty years and you’re wise enough to have held on to it while realizing the joy of time well spent.
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