The Old Man and the Sea

Here is a picture of a neighbor-hero in July of 1963. I was 9 years old and awaiting a double digit birthday in September.

That’s “Mr. Moore” standing behind my brother, Tom, and myself. Mr. Moore, as I recall, was somewhat recluse but had a passion for fishing. I was too young to remember why he graced us with his company and know-how, but as I grow older I think I have some understanding of his motives – we all want recognition to some degree and all of us would like to be remembered.

Mr. Moore wasn’t exactly Santiago, the main character of Ernest Hemingway’s novella, The Old Man and the Sea – but he was an experienced fisherman that knew of “hidden” sweet spots to fish - not in Cuban waters, but in Oneida Lake.

That hot summer day – oh what a glorious day – we caught over 100 fish in a single outing and that is no fisherman’s tale. I remember the chains of our catch pulling at my biceps, as I tried to hold them up for a picture. This is only one picture. Everything in those days seemed to take longer – even snapping a picture.

None of the fish were wasted. Mr. Moore had a separate freezer for his treasure and he was kind enough to clean some of the best “catch of the day” for my mother, father, brother and sisters.

Some consider Santiago to have been a defeated hero. I only know that Mr. Moore was not. I will always remember him as, The Old Man of Oneida Lake.