11 minute read
One call launched a a family journey
A RANDOM CALL launched
A FAMILY JOURNEY
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story by Brett McLaughlin | photos courtesy of Tracey Ellington
Tracey Ellington and her “Pops” paddle on Lake Keowee. Having found each other after 50 years, the love of father and daughter has been forever carved in the form of a handmade canoe.
NA, a family discovered
Dand a handmade canoe.
Those are the makings of Upstate resident Tracey Ellington’s amazing story.
In August 2019 — out of the blue — Ellington was reunited with a half-sister, a daughter her late mother had given up for adoption two years before Tracey was born.
The new-found relative wanted help discovering and finding her birth father, and asked Tracey if she would be willing to undergo DNA testing. Tracey agreed. In March 2020 those test results revealed that the man who Tracey had believed to be her biological father — a man who had passed away some six months earlier — was, indeed, not!
“The DNA report showed all these relatives I had never heard of,” she said.
That report prompted another search, this time to identify and locate Tracey’s own birth father. It was a quest that would pivot when, after a good deal of her own digging, Tracey reached out to an “Aunt Louise” identified in the report. In their conversation, Tracey mentioned her mother had told her that the father of the little girl she had put up for adoption before Tracey was born was named Mark and that he was a sailor.
Louise agreed to talk with members of her own family about Tracey’s inquiry, and, in April 2020, made a call to one of her two brothers, Mark Del Maestro in Phoenix, AZ … a Navy veteran.
When they spoke later, Tracey told Del Maestro that her mother was named JoAnn and she was from Boston. Del Maestro didn’t recognize the name, but he did recognize JoAnn’s nickname … Jodi.
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Mark Del Maestro took a canoe plan and redesigned it into a symbol of his love for his new-found daughter.
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Del Maestro had joined the Navy straight out of high school in 1966. A year later he shipped out to Vietnam where he was engaged in heavy combat as a riverboat gunner. In December 1968 he returned to port in Boston where he was stationed until being reassigned in July 1969.
Tracey was born in February 1970.
“I think my mother knew all the time that Mark was my father,” Tracey said, adding that telling her he had fathered another girl may have been her mother’s way of letting her know his name and that he was a sailor. “She took that secret to her grave. He had no idea I existed, but since that time he has been completely devoted to catching up and being a dad in my life,” she said.
Summer 2020 brought Del Maestro east for a visit. As it turned out, his baby sister — one of five siblings — lived just two miles from Tracey. Father and daughter spent several days catching up. By the end of the visit, he was being fondly referred to as “Pops.”
After leaving the military, Del Maestro had gone on to establish his own industrial adhesive company. On the side, he became engaged in faith-based and patriotic motivational speaking as well as tirelessly teaching woodshop therapy to combat veterans.
“Most of the guys have come back from Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said. “The shop is good therapy. We work on birdhouses, chess boards, all kinds of projects. A lot of them like to make keepsake boxes. They make the choices. I just teach them how to make it.”
Tracey explained that her Pops is a master woodworker with a lifelong dream to build a canoe from scratch.
For 35 years, Mark Del Maestro has wanted to build a canoe. All it took was the motivation of finding a daughter he never knew he had. • A self-proclaim perfectionist, he spent more than a year designing and crafting a 17-foot vessel.
A variety of woods was used to construct the canoe which, its builder says, simply will not sink, even when full of water.
“It won’t sink. Even if it’s full of water, you will be able to paddle it to shore,” he said proudly. “She’ll have it for years.” “For ever and ever,” Tracey added, her eyes fixed on the man at the center of her amazing story.
“When he learned that we had a home on Lake Keowee and had visited here, he thought it would be the perfect time to make the dream into reality,” she said.
“I’m a kid’s guy and a family guy, and her family is off the charts” he said affectionately. “I made her a model (canoe) for the first birthday we shared together, but I told her I was going to make her the real thing.”
Since September 2020 Del Maestro has worked nonstop to create an incredible masterpiece. It is a 17-foot long, 33-inch wide, dugoutdesign of his own making. Mounted to his vehicle, he drove it across country to her in October.
Not only is the canoe seaworthy (He tested it in his pool at home.), but his workmanship is extraordinary.
Lightweight but strong, Alaskan Red and White Cedar mesh seamlessly on Walnut rails and outwales that have been steamed and shaped into flawless arches. Mahogany highlights the bow and stern, and Walnut gives the keel better stability and allows the paddles he made to be more easily controlled in the water.
“It won’t sink. Even if it’s full of water, you will be able to paddle it to shore,” he said proudly. “She’ll have it for years.”
“For ever and ever,” Tracey added, her eyes fixed on the man at the center of her amazing story. n
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As a top producer since 2013, Cate is thrilled to be with Justin Winter Sotheby’s International Realty, focusing on the luxury niche. Cate’s philosophy is, “Keeping Clients First”, and when she takes on your home it is treated with the utmost respect - and you’re given the highest level of services in the business. She looks forward to working with you.
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Trisha grew up enjoying the beautiful emerald waters of Lake Keowee, and she believes that being able to offer that dream to others is truly a blessing. Whether you are buying or selling, Trisha will use the knowledge, the skill, the understanding and the art of negotiating that it takes in a competitive market. “When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece” – John Ruskin THOMAS (TOM) KASSAB Sales Associate – Realtor® 864-616-7529 tom@justinwinter.com
Tom has had a passion for taking care of his clients since the beginning. He is resourceful and knows how to get things done. Tom is friendly, knowledgeable, and has a can-do attitude. If you are looking for someone who is dedicated to guiding you through the adventure of buying or selling a home, then you have found your agent.
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Beautiful custom designed waterfront home offered fully furnished with interior designs by Sandy Hankins (SH Design). Eastward facing morning sun and open view of Lake Keowee with covered dock. The artfully designed home offers 4 master suites plus a 4-bed bunk room, large open floor plan living and kitchen entertainment area with separate private circular dining room, screened porch with large open deck, a handsome office, a lower-level full kitchen and pub entertainment area and dual laundry rooms. With rich wood finish, gorgeous floors and abundant light the home is move in ready including all soft linens, plates, cookware and flatware. A pontoon boat and 2 jet skis are also available.
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This newer 3 bedroom and 3.5 bath timber-built home features bright and open living spaces with decks and covered patio. from the wrap around deck to the warm and inviting living and dining room with gas fireplace. Enjoy the lovely kitchen with granite countertops, stainless appliances, solid wood cabinetry with custom built-ins. Main level has spacious en-suite bedroom & bath with walk-in closet and additional half bath in hall. Upstairs, enjoy amazing views from private master suite with deck. The finished walkout basement has space for a family room and a third bedroom with full bath. A 2009 Azure 18-ft bow rider with volva-penta 3.0L inboard engine boat as well as an Eagle boat trailer are included!
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A classic custom home of the finest design, materials and craftsmanship. 7163 sq ft of custom interior design over reclaimed wide plank distressed oak flooring, coffered beam and stained cathedral ceilings and multiple stone fireplaces. Open floor plan offers a bonus dining area, 6 bedrooms plus a nursery/bonus room, office, exercise room, wine room, large recreation room, and extensive storage throughout. Covered, screened and open decks on both levels with wide lake and mountain views. Enjoy a rare large flat waterfront entertainment area, with a flagstone gathering area and stone steps leading to the lake. The covered dock features a lift, storage box and jet ski port rests.
404.281.0475 • George “Trip” Agerton / trip@justinwinter.com
Like new waterfront home in mint condition being offered fully furnished. Approximately 4200 sq ft includes 4 ensuite bedrooms plus a bonus room with access to adjoining bath. On the lower level you will find a large recreation room with wet bar that opens onto a large patio with all-weather outdoor furniture perfect for entertaining. Just off the lower level is a large round fire pit area with ample seating. Additional features of this home include a 3-car garage with epoxy flooring, ceiling suspended storage systems and wall storage systems. A paver path leads to the waterfront, covered dock with lift and storage box and 2 jet ski ports.
404.281.0475 • George “Trip” Agerton / trip@justinwinter.com
