It's spelled "Mainieri." Has taken me a very long time to talk about George. He is still in my phone. Once in awhile I'd get an annoying call, and usually at the most inopportune time (I think he had ESP). "Heeeey! You know who I am. You better get up here. I'm scrapping some stuff and you're gonna cry if you don't! " That was George. Very thoughtful yet bitching about nameless people who waste his time by never showing up after he spent a day getting their stuff pulled out. Can never fault him for that. But he was so appreciative of everyone who came through. If I was in town on other business and stopped in just to say hi, I'd wind up being his sounding board for an hour. What are pals for? George always managed to get me to buy him lunch, and I'd enjoy it every time. And afterwards, he also managed to make sure I didn't go home empty even when he knew very well I didn't stop in to buy. "Hey, I got something you need. I think I set it right over here. Thought 'bout you when I came across it." And we'd paw through stuff and explore for awhile and I'd find things I'd want but not need. He sure knew how to play me and I loved him for it. It was a fun game for both of us. I'm pretty sure he was that way with almost everyone. George was Navy thus I was always impressed and surprised with the great depth of mechanical knowledge he had of land-based army equipment. He'd be elbow-deep in anything with tracks or wheels or not. When his health started downhill, I spent some days helping him clean out trailers and organize. He had many, many friends. As the two of us emptied his M750, george was being george and convinced me in his george-way into buying it. I wasn't looking for one. I didn't need one. But next thing you know I'm hauling one home at 60mph. Even today it's the best "george" investment I ever made. Well, not discounting his "house" MEP003 w/trailer, a parts 5T, expandable tentage, HMG cradles, and loads of individual NOS 5T and deuce parts. I think he inadvertently caused my divorce! I could always trust that George had my best interest at heart. He was always right-on knowing what I needed long before I realized it. Including my eventual divorce. The year before he died I was busy 70+hrs a week hauling 112,000# loads of ore tailings along the other side of the lake. I never did get to see him again, but we'd call on occasion and I'd tease if he had made up his mind yet about a price. (I started offering to buy his complete inventory in '09) His funny sarcastic smile or laugh was always the answer. He knew I was serious, but he also knew I needed the headache like a hole in the head. George always knew. Some people didn't know how to take him at first meeting, he could be grumpy & bitchy when he was stressed and busy. He had a fondness for PBR's (the boats). Like on the waves, you had to learn how to roll with George. Super guy. definitely missed
