Mace Vitale who is the ABS Hammer-In Coordinator for the New England Hammer-In called me today and asked that I tell everyone that there will be a Silent Auction at the Hammer-In to benefit Jerry DiCecca's family. Master Smith Lin Rhea had Jerry as a student in a class at the NESM and has already generously donated a knife for the Silent Auction fundraiser. Mace is asking anyone that can donate a small item for the Silent Auction to contact him at [email protected].
You can also make a monetary donation by check or money order to the fund by contacting Cindy Sheely at the ABS Office at 419-832-0400 or [email protected] and even the smallest donation would be a big help and would be greatly appreciated. Please make the check or money order payable to the American Bladesmith Society with a notation at the bottom that it is for the "Jerry DiCecca Family Fund".
This is a message to you from Mace Vitale about Jerry:
Hello Friends,
One of our own has fallen. Our friend Jerry DiCecca was overseas working and was killed in a car accident. Jerry was a stand up guy...very interested in Bladesmithing and learning as much as he could. Jerry has been to all the New England hammer-ins and has taken many classes at the New England School of Metalwork. Jerry was interested in learning the ins and outs of knife smithing, but was also a collector. I just wanted to give you a little info on this big hearted man...he was one of us. My feeling is we are all family and family should help each other out. Jerry was in the country of Georgia and as of this writing has not been brought home yet. So much red tape and expense for a grieving wife and 2 daughters. So maybe we can make life a little easier for them...lets help bring Jerry home! I have some donations of a few "blacksmith knives" and am planning to do a silent auction at the New England hammer in this July. If you have something you would like to donate to this effort please let me know. Also...we are asking if you would like to make a monetary donation we would be very grateful.
Thank you for your time.
Please...lets bring Jerry home.
Mace
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
I was in Maine for just a short time, but in that short time the DiCecca impacted my stay while there. Jerry and his family were so friendly and participated in the auction as well as other features of the hammer in. They attended as a family. That's what I noticed. A family. Then, as well as in later correspondence, I saw and read Jerry's gentle expressions of affection for his wife Sandra and his children. They would have no way of hearing those since it was written to me about them. That is a sign of devotion.
It was a shock to hear about Jerry's death. It's even more sad that the DiCecca family has suffered this loss. Please help if you can.
