Marc Mangia, an award-winning Pro-AM Sand Sculptor born, raised, and lives in Columbus (Blacklick), Ohio has been sculpting sand for 15 years. Ā What started as a way to play with the kids and keep busy on vacations has become his loved hobby.Ā Mangia competes in 3 to 4 competitions a year – Ft Myers Beach, FL; Port Huron, Michigan; Port Aransas, Texas; and Yarmouth, Maine. Ā He has placed 1st several times and also Peopleās Choice. Ā Aside from competitions, Marc is a Semi-Retired Carpenter.
Mangia has been coming to Aruba for 20 years, and every year his castle creations have grown! Ā This year he spent over 90+ hours in a two week period doing a church and memorial for a dear friend. Ā He knew before coming this year that he wanted to do the Alta Vista Chapel that is here in Aruba. Ā Once he was there in Aruba and getting started, he learned that a good friend, Ralph Passante whom he had meet there in Aruba 15 years ago, had suddenly passed away. Ā Passante always loved watching Mangia work on his sandcastles and was always a protector of them. Passante is greatly missed this year on the beach and Mangia decided to do a memorial in honor of him.
Since owning their timeshare at the Marriott Vacation Club for 17 years, Mangia has made many wonderful friends. Ā Friends that have become his Aruba Family. Ā He looks forward to coming back every year, mid-January thru mid-February, and catching up with all them. Ā Aruba is Mangiaās home away from home! Ā He says Aruba has the best sand for sculpting.
Rest in peace Ralph Passante. Ā Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
