An old friend of this newspaper, Art Elia, died on Dec. 22, 2011, and the world is a poorer place for his passing.
Art was the real deal, the son of Italian immigrants who graduated from Niagara Falls High and went to work as a laborer. His father, Albert Elia, started a small construction business, and it wasn't long before Art and his brothers turned it into one of New York's largest contractors, building everything from houses to hospitals to highways.
In 1969, Art was the guy who "turned off" the American Falls to allow for study and stabilization work, a feat so complex many said it couldn't be done.
Following the Love Canal disaster in 1977, he got involved in hazardous waste remediation, forming Sevenson Containment Corp. -- later to become Sevenson Environmental Services -- taking on toxic waste cleanup jobs all over the world and pioneering an industry that didn't even exist prior to his involvement.
To call Art a genius would not, in our view, be overstating the case at all.
As the years went by and the businesses he founded grew, Art made what he would call a gob of money. His philanthropic work here in Niagara Falls is legendary. But when you met him, he always came across as a regular guy, the laborer he once had been.
It's no secret that, when his sister Irene Elia ran for mayor in 1999, he was somewhat less than thrilled about it. In his mind, politics and business were a poor mix, and he had spent considerable time and money promoting the Elia name for what was, after all, a family business.
After Irene Elia trounced John Accardo in the general election and became mayor, Art would goodnaturedly razz the odd Niagara Falls Reporter writer he happened across.
"What are you drinking?" he'd ask with a smile. Then, after paying for the libation, he'd add, "Hey, why don't you lay off my sister?"
Still, he never attempted to use any of his considerable influence against the paper.
Our hearts go out to his wife of 63 years, Shirley, his sons Larry, Mike and Richard, daughter Christine DeLuca, and his sisters, Irene and Ida.
Art was one of the good guys.
Around here, we'll miss him.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | Jan. 3 2012 |