Maurice Catarcio
Encyclopedia
Maurice A. Catarcio spent his early life in New Jersey, before entering the U.S. Navy. He later worked as a professional wrestler
competing in the then World Wide Wrestling Federation
from 1957 to 1960, under the ring-name The Matador. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer
in 1991, he became an advocate for public health and fitness. He was also in The Guinness Book of World Records for his public displays of strength.
to parents Dominick and Julia Marie. He had one sister. Beginning at age 11, he lifted weights and participated in bodybuilding. In 1947, he graduated from Cape May High School and then served with the U.S. Navy for 55 months. On June 30, 1950, three days after the beginning of the Korean War
, he was honorably discharged, but he was later recalled for another 22 months and received another honorable discharge.
Catarcio worked as a professional wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation from 1957 to 1960. He was known as The Matador and wore a bullfighting cape to the ring.
and certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
. He was also a police officer, lifeguard, and a painting contractor, the latter for thirty years. He served as Commissioner of the Cape May County Bridge Commission from 1980 to 1987 and Chairman of the Bridge Commission from 1987 to 2001.
Catarcio was also a member of St. Raymond's Church and the Governor's Council on Fitness. He was a former president for the Kiwanis Club of Cape May, the Sons of Italy in Lower Township, and the Lower Township Republican Club. In addition, Catarcio was a former member of the Knights of Columbus and the Mayor's Advisory Committee, both in Cape May. For ten years, he was the Republican Leader in Lower Township and was a member of the Electoral College in 1976. Moreover, he was a former Republican State Committeeman and involved with the Boy Scouts of America
.
On May 12, 2005, at age 76, he died of cancer in his hometown of Del Haven, New Jersey. At the time of his death, he was married to Roxanne, with whom he had two sons and two daughters. He also had five grandchildren.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
competing in the then World Wide Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
from 1957 to 1960, under the ring-name The Matador. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
in 1991, he became an advocate for public health and fitness. He was also in The Guinness Book of World Records for his public displays of strength.
Early life
Cararcio was born on March 21, 1929 in Ocean City, New JerseyOcean City, New Jersey
Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is the principal city of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Cape May County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 11,701...
to parents Dominick and Julia Marie. He had one sister. Beginning at age 11, he lifted weights and participated in bodybuilding. In 1947, he graduated from Cape May High School and then served with the U.S. Navy for 55 months. On June 30, 1950, three days after the beginning of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, he was honorably discharged, but he was later recalled for another 22 months and received another honorable discharge.
Catarcio worked as a professional wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation from 1957 to 1960. He was known as The Matador and wore a bullfighting cape to the ring.
Feats of strength
Catarcio began putting on public displays of strength after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1991. Because of these displays, he was given the nickname "Magnificent Maurice". He also became an advocate for fitness and health. At age 69, he pulled an 80 ft boat filled with 125 passengers while swimming the backstroke for 300 feet in a lake, which earned him a place in The Guinness Book of World Records. Then, at age 72, he dragged a 27,000 lb bus down a New York City street on The Late Show with David Letterman. Other stunts included tearing 17 decks of cards in 59 seconds and lifting a refrigerator with three women on top of it.Personal life
Besides being a professional wrestler, Cararcio had a number of occupations. He was certified in fitness training in Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSanta Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
and certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure which is performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person in cardiac arrest. It is indicated in those who are unresponsive...
. He was also a police officer, lifeguard, and a painting contractor, the latter for thirty years. He served as Commissioner of the Cape May County Bridge Commission from 1980 to 1987 and Chairman of the Bridge Commission from 1987 to 2001.
Catarcio was also a member of St. Raymond's Church and the Governor's Council on Fitness. He was a former president for the Kiwanis Club of Cape May, the Sons of Italy in Lower Township, and the Lower Township Republican Club. In addition, Catarcio was a former member of the Knights of Columbus and the Mayor's Advisory Committee, both in Cape May. For ten years, he was the Republican Leader in Lower Township and was a member of the Electoral College in 1976. Moreover, he was a former Republican State Committeeman and involved with the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
.
On May 12, 2005, at age 76, he died of cancer in his hometown of Del Haven, New Jersey. At the time of his death, he was married to Roxanne, with whom he had two sons and two daughters. He also had five grandchildren.