Michael Danisi

Beloved Dad, Beloved Husband: Michael Danisi was born on March 22, 1928, in Brooklyn, NY to immigrant parents, Frank and Marguerite Danisi. He was the last living sibling of seven children. Mike was proud of his big Italian family and he loved spending time with brothers, Frank, Philly, and Alex and sisters, Clara, Cecilia, and Maggie. He always said family is everything. Gathering and love of family and food were shared every Sunday with their traditional afternoon Italian meal of Macaroni with gravy, meatballs, sausage, pork, and wine, coffee and desert. As a young boy, Mike helped his father deliver blocks of refrigerator ice in the Brooklyn neighborhood where he grew up. He always ended his stories of his father the Ice Man with this: "If the customer could not pay the ten cents for the ice, he would give it to them anyway.” The generosity of his father has passed down through the generations of Danisi's, a lesson his children are proud to have learned along with honesty, kindness towards others and loyalty to family. Mike was generous to his family, friends, and neighbors. If you needed to store something on his land, he was always willing to share space and even hold a horse or two in the old days. He invited strangers into the house if lost on the road or in a fender bender. If a neighbor's horse was sick or hurt, he was there to help. Mike's career as a Licensed Professional Jockey at 18 years old began following a suggestion from one of the teenage tough guys hanging out on the streets of Brooklyn, NY. While pointing out his short stature, the guy said, " Hey, Mikey, why don't you become a Jockey?” He went home, packed his bags and headed for New Jersey, where he learned to be a jockey. Mike was fearless, never walking away from the challenge, and became a successful, well-known and respected Licensed Professional Jockey. His peers were the likes of Eddie Arcaro and Willie Shoemaker. One tough guy’s suggestion changed his life and this proved to be his passion, livelihood and legacy. We are so proud of him. Mike's first success and love be would prove even more rewarding when he was introduced to Cecilia by Jockey Con Errico at the famed Riley's Lake House during the 1949 Saratoga Springs, NY racing meet. Cecilia was a professional dancer and was working at Riley Lake House on the evening of their introduction. Mike and Ceil married July 29, 1950 and drove to Saratoga following the wedding reception to work the racing meet, "The August Place to Be". Young, married and proud, Mike traveled the country with his loving wife Ceil and children Michael and Victoria, working hard and rising at 3:30 a.m. to exercise horses. He was our fierce protector. Mike was always a force to be reckoned with. He would travel for work and arrive in a new state, tasked with finding immediate lodging for his wife and babies. His success was an achievement not easily gained. Mike loved to talk and Ceil was known as a very sweet caring woman. Friends were made easily and loved throughout the years, notably the Saratoga Clarkes, John and Peggy and their five children. This friendship lasted for decades and still continues with the new generation. In the 1960's, Mike and Ceil purchased their beloved 1889 Open Gate Farm, in Huntington, NY, a surprise find with a For Sale sign barely visible in the dirt. Mike later learned the owner was chasing potential buyers away daily. Determined and unfazed by the eccentric owner’s abrupt demeanor, Mike shouted out to him, “I got plenty of money, I rode races for 18 years.” "Come on in, Eddie Arcaro,” said the excited owner. The sale was made, a pony named Casey arrived, and all the brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews would pile into their cars on weekends to come to the farm and ride Casey. The pony proved to be tough, too. Casey would repeatedly escape between the rails of the corral, without disturbing a rail, and Mike would chase him down Round Swamp Road. Uncle Mikey would give riding lessons to nieces and nephews and Casey was trained as best as a Jockey could train a stubborn pony nicknamed Houdini. Our Dad was animated when he taught us how to ride and firmly said, “Wrap your hand in Casey's mane along with the western saddle, hold your knees in tight and never show your fear". I was 10 years old and my brother was 14 years old. A life lesson learned well from the tough guy named Mike, who was used to hanging out on the streets of Brooklyn. Mike was so proud of his huge extended family and loved sharing his new lifestyle on the two-acre farm. All were welcome for pony rides and tractor rides and even a motor cycle ride. Retirement was a challenge for the hard-working Mike, first as a retired Jockey and second as a retired Pari-Mutuel clerk for the New York Racing Association. He loved his time spent at the race tracks, never too far from the horses and lifelong friends. However, the challenge was addressed and Mike began to study American Indian history, watched old movies, and traveled to Bari, Italy and Taos, New Mexico. These were memorable trips, meeting family members and riding in a rodeo. He was a frequent visitor at the Melville Library on Sweet Hollow Road. Mike enjoyed chatting with the friendly librarians and staff and told wonderful stories about his life as a jockey and about his family. He borrowed movies weekly. One of his favorite statements was the surrender speech of Chief Joseph. It was handwritten on a yellow legal pad. Excerpt: "Tell General Howard I know what is in his heart. What he told me before, I have in my heart. I am tired of fighting...Hear me, my Chiefs! I am tired...From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever." Chief Joseph, Nez Percee Indian Chief. A unique man, his challenges met, a man well loved...A life well lived. Mike fittingly died on Kentucky Derby Day, May 7, 2022. We will remember you spectacularly on that day. “Riders up!” Forever in our hearts, Ceil, Michael and Victoria

Michael Danisi

March 22, 1928 - May 7, 2022