Meet Steve D’Amico. Steve is a local contractor who specializes in home renovations and remodels. Steve, his wife, Stephanie, and their three children were among the first friends we made on St. Simons. Over the last 4-5 years we have shared countless meals, bottles of wine and much laughter. Steve is an avid fly-fisherman and excellent cook. He is an active and passionate member of St. Simons Surf Sailors with whom he and his family enjoy weekend regattas and cookouts in the Summer months. Recently, I had the opportunity to quiz Steve about himself a bit more in depth during one of our frequent and always impromptu porch sitting happy hours.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: “I just always loved building stuff.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant on St. Simons and what do you love there?
A: “Home is my favorite restaurant but if we go out it’s Tramici. And either the Gnocchi or the Risotto.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked on St. Simons?
A: “46 years, since 1972.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here on St. Simons?
A: “Dave Snyder.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “Anywhere, why not? I’ll take an opportunity to see anything new.”
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “Blazing Saddles.”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “Work Hard.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “My bucket list is full. I’ve traveled lots of places, married, had kids. Anything from here on out is icing on the cake.”
Q: What is your favorite music or band?
A: “It changes through the years and with your mood. I like all kinds of music but I’m just not very musically inclined.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about St. Simons?
A: “Chancey’s. It was a gas station across from where Southern Soul is now. I remember stopping there on the way home with my parents when I was a child. They’d check the dipstick and clean the windshield. Mrs. Chancey would always give us a piece of bubblegum.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative, with whom would you love to have lunch and why? Where on St. Simons would you take them?
A: “Friends. Skip lunch and have dinner at home. My favorite quote is ‘A nice quiet Italian meal is a tragedy.’”
Q: What is your favorite thing about St. Simons?
A: “This. Just this. (Referring to our current situation of a relaxed, impromptu time with friends sitting on the porch having a cocktail at the end of a long day.) Also, we’re a mile from the beach where we love to take the kids sailing, fishing and boating. We’re surrounded by endless opportunities to live life outdoors.”
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “There’s nothing interesting about me.”
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the work HOME?
A: “Crazy, fun, crazy.”
