By: Henry Hascup

Tuesday night I found out that the son of Jack “Larkin” Amato, George Amato, had passed away at the age of 77. Jack Amato took the name of Larkin when he went to see his brother box one day. Back in 1928, Jack went to the old Belmont Park in Garfield, N.J. to watch his brother Sammy box. While waiting outside his brother’s dressing room, the boxing matchmaker wanted to know if anyone who weighed 147lbs, and wants to box tonight? Jack answered, “I am … I do”. When he discovered he was to box his own brother, he gave his name as Jack Larkin. Sammy and Jack went on to box each other twenty -two times and the name of Jack Larkin was born! Years later another boxer from Garfield by the name of Antonio Pilleteri, took that name as well, his name was Tippy Larkin.

Wednesday morning I got up and went to the funeral service for George and his family asked me if I could say a few words and ring the bell in his honor. I ended up giving the Eulogy and rung the Bell “9” times in celebration of his life. This is the 3rd time in the last month that I did so. Then that night, I ring announced another Amateur Boxing show in Cliffside Park. All in a days work, But it was all worth it, as the Amato family was so Grateful. This is just one of the reasons that I do what I do.