August 29, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Waldwick Waldwick resident Mike Monti grew up with Marine Sgt. Joseph D’Augustine, the borough resident who was killed in March while stationed in Afghanistan. Now Monti is honoring his friend’s memory by running in the New York City Marathon and raising funds for the Semper Fi Fund, an organization that benefits injured marines and all service men and women. “I looked to run with a good team and for a good cause,” said Monti of his decision to run in support of the Semper Fi Fund. His father is a Purple Hearth combat veteran from the Vietnam Conflict, and his girl friend’s brother is a Navy Seal deploying soon for Afghanistan. An avid runner and a self-proclaimed “gym rat,” Monti ran in the New Jersey Marathon in Long Branch in May and is looking to train for the Ironman in either Idaho or New Hampshire. He said he enters about 15 runs a year. But the Nov. 4 run will have a special meaning for him. “Everyone will remember Joey as one of Waldwick’s heroes, but I’ll remember him as a little kid, always covered in dirt with a penchant for catching bees with his bare hands,” Monti reminisced. He said he was often charged with watching D’Augustine in his yard along with other youngsters whose sisters were at his house working on Girl Scout projects. A graduate of Waldwick High School Class of ’94, Monti has worked for the Midland Park Department of Public Works for the past seven years. He has two children, 10-year-old Angelina and five-year old Resident runs in memory of friend and all soldiers Mike, at right, and a friend in the 2010 Tough Mudder at Raceway Park. Mike with his daughter after the 2011 Thanksgiving Day 5K in Upper Saddle River. William. Anyone wishing to donate in support of Monti’s cause may visit www.active. com/donate/sff2012nycmarathon/michaelmonti.