Eugene RapayRockland/Westchester Journal News
Mark Anthony Giordano was born on Christmas, but his presence was an everyday gift to those who knew him.
It's what makes saying goodbye to the 13-year old so difficult.
The town of Harrison is mourning the death of Giordano, who touched the lives of many in just a short amount of time.
"He cheered me up when I was down, he never failed to make me laugh and we always hung out," said Maddie Reynolds, one of Giordano's many friends. "He was always positive and he made everybody smile. I can't imagine a life without him. Thinking of the future breaks my heart, he was like a brother to me. He always protected me from everyone and everything. His memory will be kept alive and his impact will live forever."
Giordano died on Sunday, after an electric bicycle accident, sending shock throughout the school and the community.
MTA Police said Monday that Giordano lost control of the bike on the fifth-story roof of the Harrison public parking garage and was discovered at ground level next to the garage. None of the other minors present were injured and preliminary police investigation revealed no suspected criminality.
Despite being in eighth grade, Giordano made the varsity high school wrestling team and was a Section 1 tournament qualifier competing in the 215-pound weight class.
He also had plenty of potential on the gridiron and was projected to make the varsity football team as a freshman next fall. Giordano wore No. 55.
Coach says Giordano touched a lot of lives
"With a name like that, you are destined for greatness," said Harrison coach Vinnie Nicita, thinking back to his first time meeting Giordano. "His face lit up and he was so proud. You could see it on that first day. He was destined for greatness, and he achieved it. He has touched people from middle school to high school, Pelham to Harrison; the entire Section 1 wrestling community has sent notes and flowers. It's amazing the amount of lives he has touched."
While he was a talented multi-sport athlete, Giordano was best known for his gigawatt smile and infectious personality.
It didn't matter where you stood on the social hierarchy of the school halls, he was friends with almost everybody, popular or not.
"Mark Anthony Giordano was a ball of positive energy that he reflected onto everybody around him and everybody he ever came in contact with," said friend Joseph Fortuna. "This kid was all-around caring, supportive and was just able to put a smile on your face whenever you needed it."
He tried to get to know all of his peers and was unafraid to introduce himself to strangers. He was always ready to crack a joke, offer a helping hand, or rally a group of friends to hang out together in town.
Giordano loved spending time around others, playing sports and riding his bike. The only thing he disliked was staying cooped up in his room. He could always be seen somewhere out around town among friends or throwing the football around.
"He carried a personality, and he was just so happy," said Harrison wrestling head coach Andres Corrales. "No matter what it was, he always had this smile on his face. He knew he was younger than everyone, but he was a part of everyone. He was never a shy guy. He was an outgoing person who took every opportunity by storm."
Prayer service in his honor draws standing room only crowd
A prayer memorial service was held in his honor Wednesday night at St. Gregory the Great Church in Harrison. Friends, family, teammates, classmates and friends from neighboring towns filled the pews, leaving a large standing-only crowd in the back of the church. A wake for Giordano was scheduled for Thursday at McMahon Funeral Home in White Plains with his funeral happening at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Gregory the Great Church in Harrison.
"I'm not surprised, this is what it's like to live in this town," said family friend Frank Barchella. "Time and time again, in people's time of need, we don't run, we stand. ... What you see tonight, you will always remember because in 62 years, I've never seen anything like this and I'm never going to see it again. I guarantee that you won't see anything like it and that's because of Mark."
More than 60 people spoke in his honor, sharing stories and memorable moments with Giordano.
"I was having a very rough tournament and I lost my matches, and Mark was on the team and he told me, 'Justin, when are you going to lock in?'" Harrison sophom*ore Justin Ofori-Amanfo said. "He said it in a way where it felt like he wasn't trying to say he was better than me, but that he really wanted to help me. That inspired me the rest of my season. I saw the way he wrestled, how much he cared about winning, being a part of the team and helping people.
"I remember when he complimented me, even though he was younger than me, it really felt like it was someone who was greater than me giving me a compliment and he really touched my heart. It really showed he was truly an inspiration at a young age."
Although he was a happy-go-lucky soul, Giordano flipped a switch on the wrestling mat and the football field.
"His ability to gather information, his ability to always be ready for whatever dogfight he was in, he just wanted to prepare himself to show every single one of them that he belonged in the lineup," Corrales said. "The impact with that is people would say, 'I can't believe an eighth-grader is doing this.' He just led by example and showed what hard work would give you and everybody else just loved him."
Service information: Wake, funeral planned for Harrison teen
Giordano only lived in Harrison for three years, moving there from Pelham in 2021, but he seemingly had already known the entire town.
"We all know what kind of person Mark was, and I know he wouldn't want us to wallow in the fact that he's gone, but to appreciate the memories we had with him," Harrison sophom*ore Jake Arizmendi said. "We should honor him, but also honor the time we had with him."
A life taken way too soon, but Giordano left a mark on a community and gave those that knew him memories and tales to last a lifetime.
"He's always smiling, he always wants to be around you," said Lisa D'Ortiz, Giordano's grandmother, thinking of a time he took her on a lunch date. "He is blessed with that kind of talent, and that kind of heart. ... The best time I ever had with a young man, and I'm proud to call him my grandson."
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at@erapay5and on Instagram at@byeugenerapay.
