​From:

Mario's granddaughter, Sarah Almaraz

 

Many people knew of my grandfather’s love of duct tape.  For sure, he was the king of duct tape.  Interestingly enough, my oldest daughter is the queen of duct tape.  Hopefully, just one of the many qualities to be passed on by him.

 

So what is it about duct tape?  Duct tape is a fixer.  It is a helper.  It is a solution to a problem.  And my grandpa was all of these things.  If someone needed help with something, he found a solution.  I know he enjoyed helping people.  No doubt he was charming and liked to be sociable.  But he really, truly cared not only about his family and friends, but about everyone he met.  What a great way to go through life.

 

You know what else about duct tape?  That stuff has staying power.  Trust me - it’s snuck into our laundry, and it is mighty permanent.  Even though he’s no longer physically with us, my grandfather’s wisdom, kindness, and generosity will not be forgotten.  Like the residue that duct tape leaves, these amazing qualities that he possessed and shared with us will be imprinted on our hearts forever.  I thank him for leading by example and for making sure that what he taught us had sticking power.

 

I know we will smile in the coming days, months, and years when we find a picture duct-taped to a frame or a business card duct-taped to a pencil box.  In those moments, we will remember him and his resourcefulness.  And just as duct tape has the power to bind, that is what he did with our family.  I picture him wrapping duct tape around all of us, sealing in the love and happiness that he and my grandmother created.  And that is the legacy he leaves behind for us.