Leaky Pipes this Summer? Call the Plumber!
by Cate Murway 


It would be more than midway through the 19th century, extremely rare until the growth of modern cities, before young America would develop reasonably efficient water and sewage systems, and for the great invention of the water closet to make an appearance.
The US cities began with using hollowed logs wrapped in steel banding for plumbing pipes but our forefathers made up nicely for lost time. 
Thanks to the plumbing industry, the USA would set standards in health and safety unsurpassed in the world today.
Plumbing [from the Latin plumbum for lead, as pipes were once made from lead] is the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems and the drainage of waste.
In 1911, 100 years ago, only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone, so they couldn’t have called a plumber even if they had wanted to do so.

At some point in the short history of our "post-industrial" complacency it now looks as though we got the future of work fundamentally wrong. 
In a society that has more or less abandoned manufacturing, we still need plumbers, carpenters, electricians and motor mechanics with "manual competence".
One cannot hammer a nail or clear a a blocked sink over the internet.
The satisfaction of craftsmanship and the revival of the old notion that most good work comes from learning how to do it properly and the knowledge that one’s work is both secure and worthy of being honoured apparently powers Mike Rago.

Michael Rago, BHS ‘95 has to use his brain to figure problems out and his clever hands to correct them. A plumber is responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining pipes, fixtures and other plumbing used for water distribution and waste water disposal in commercial and industrial buildings.
A plumber reads blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine the layout of plumbing systems, water supply networks and waste and drainage systems.
Remarkably, seldom are problems exactly the same. Mike’s entrepreneural skills are tested daily. 
While crawling around the loft spaces of low-pitched trussed-roof 1970s houses, running pipe work or installing a vertical flue, or repairing garbage disposals, water heaters, sump pumps, frozen pipes or faucets, Mike gets to meet different people along with the dysfunctional machinery. 
He helps people regain and maintain an essential part of modern living.

Mike has earned his customer’s liking and gratitude; he works diligently to earn good money; the work won't vanish to India; and he needs no workshops in self-esteem.
When a job needs to be completed proficiently, one is not searching for someone with theory, but for a competant tradesman with practical experience and knowledge.

Mike grew up in a family with a potent work ethic. His late father, William John Rago, BHS ‘63 labored in the heat intensive open hearth furnace pits of the U.S. Steel Mill. His Brooklyn born mother Rose [Sciambra] still resides in the Borough and has always shown valuable support for her family.

Mike and his wife, Jennifer [Culbertson] just celebrated their first anniversary. Jen works for Jones New York Apparel Group as a classification specialist and she assists Mike in his new venture. They met at the Italian Mutual Aid-5th Ward Association; he is a former President, when Jen participated in the karaoke. 
“She has a beautiful voice and she can sing anything.” 

While growing up, Mike was always intrigued with “hands on” building. He helped his dad gut their attic as a teenager.
His schooling included “baseball, baseball, baseball, wrestling and baseball”, and tech school for the building trades and for commercial roofing.
The impetus for the “drain train” was Joe Chichilitti, the owner of Chic's Plumbing & Heating. “Mike is a good worker and I got him off the roof into the plumbing trade.”
Mike would assist him on rainy days and he “got good at it” and started his own business just a few months ago.

“Roofing was too seasonal. I found my niche.” 
The extremely “customer oriented” Mike works in a variety of settings, including residential and business construction, industrial and residential maintenance, as well as underground work.
Plumbing pipes and fixtures are needed not only to replace old, worn-out systems but also in new construction and for bath and kitchen remodeling. 
He is currently teaming up with his brother- in-law, Mark Edmiston of TCM Construction, to do bathroom/ kitchen projects. “Best carpenter I ever met!”

John Paul Getty, the first billionaire in the United States, once said, “One man working with you is worth a dozen working for you.”

Mike loves historic Bristol on the Delaware. “It’s a close knit community and there’s
plenty to do here.” As a youth, he swam in the river to Burlington Island to fish.
“I am absolutely gonna raise my family here. Everybody knows everybody.”
He is a member of the St. Ann Church finance council. He takes pride in new systems he can construct in residences, office complexes, schools, factories and other buildings and he donates his services to the St. Ann Parish.
On the Sabbath when an act of God brings forth a biblical flood from the heavens: very few look for a Doctor of Divinity.

Mike is solution oriented and his “I’m all about the customer” attitude will assure a pinnacle of achievement.
Repairs a bummer? Call the plumber.

M. Rago Plumbing  PA#082987
for all your plumbing needs
267.539.5154

Recommend a "Spotlight". E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com

Roseanne 'Rose' Rago of Bristol, Pa., passed away peacefully 
surrounded by her loving family on Feb. 23, 2015 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 65.

She was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., before moving to Bristol over 40 years ago. Rose enjoyed taking trips to Parks and Atlantic City casinos, crossword puzzles, and reading the New York newspapers that Michael brought her every day; but most of all she looked forward to Sunday dinner with her family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William Rago; her sister, Christine Sciambra; her brother-in-law, Michael (Mickey) Rago; her sister-in-law, Joyce Mayernik (Frank); brother-in-law, Joe Andruszka; and Cheri Cordisco. Rose will be greatly missed by her children, Michael Rago (Jen) of Bristol, and William Rago of Bristol; her grandchildren, John and Christina; her siblings, Mary Sciambra of Bristol, and Peter Sciambra (Diane) of Long Island, N.Y.; her sisters-in-law, Anna Marie Pez, Dolores Andruszka, Gail Rago, Jacqueline Rago, Norma Miller (Charlie), Kathy Ferro (Pete), and Beverly Rago. She will also be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, and cousins; her dog, Sophie; her grand-dog, Sadie; and all who loved her.
Relatives and friends may call from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday, at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 3500 Bristol Oxford Valley Road in Levittown. A funeral service will begin at 12 p.m. Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.Galzerano Funeral Home Levittown