-Joe Moraino -- Just Stay Positive

by Elron Etienne

Anybody who hangs out in Red Hook knows my boss, Joe Moraino. Joe has two successful boating businesses-- Magic Moments and Nauti Nymph-- and owns 15 boats. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Moreno has hired 60 students from the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. He said, “I like to see the students interested in the boating business and also to teach them to be responsible and to be on time.’’

Mr. Joe Moreno is an ex-military commander who was born in 1950. “I graduated in 1968 from Passaic Valley High School, but I did not attend college because I got drafted into the military. While there I fought in the Vietnam War, where we were ambushed. I remember when we were fighting, and a mine went off which blew up two of my men, and the others started running for cover. After two hours we were rescued by the Navy, and they took us to a hospital in Saigon. I also got awarded a star for my braveness and heroism.” Mr. Moreno has also been shot -- “Yes I actually have, three times to be exact.’’

During the interview at the dock in Red Hook, the wind blew Mr. Moreno’s curly hair all over the place; it was kind of funny to watch. As usual, he wore a white, long sleeve shirt with a Nauti Nymph logo, and short khaki pants. Mr. Moreno was very excited to be interviewed. We sat on a black chair. While I asked him questions, he had to talk loud because the dock was very windy on that day.

While interviewing Mr. Moreno, he told me one of his favorite childhood memories. “I remember going to the beach with my family and going surfing.” Joe also told me that his favorite activities were “windsurfing, basketball, motorcycles, and boats.”

I told Mr. Moreno that I love windsurfing because if you fall into the water you can’t get hurt.

Mr. Moreno has a big house, but doesn’t live alone. “I am happily married, and I have two boys.” When I asked Mister Joe if he has a role model, he said,“I actually do, Mr. Richard Branson the owner of Virgin Mobile.” Branson also owns an airline and an island.

When I told Mr. Moreno that I thought he was a very outgoing and successful person, he said, “Yes, I became successful by working hard and having determination.” For the future Mr. Moreno said, “I plan to keep working.”

Joe told me that St. Thomas is a very beautiful, but said, “I always wanted to visit Asia.’’ Mr. Moreno said he loves God -- that’s why he is here today and added, “I am a Catholic.”

Before I finished this interview, I had just one more question for Mr. Moraino: his advice for young people. He said, “Simple, stay in school, do the best you can, and you will never regret it.”

His outlook on life is, “ Pretty simple, I just stay positive.”