DATE: Thursday, February 27, 1997           TAG: 9702250092

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

                                            LENGTH:   66 lines

MIKE MARSALA PHOTOGRAPHER, FIREFIGHTER

Photographer Mike Marsala is pretty proud of his picture of an older couple standing on the Boardwalk. She's in a bright moo-moo with a large straw purse and floppy hat. He's wearing plaid shorts, black socks and sandals, a loud Hawaiian shirt and is carrying a camera.

Marsala named it ``Typical Tourist,'' had it made into a postcard and stood back and watched the sales take off.

``It's my most popular one,'' said Marsala, a Norfolk firefighter and part-time shutterbug who lives in Virginia Beach. It's only one of many postcards he has created of Virginia Beach and other East Coast scenes. In fact, if you flip over any number of postcards sold in local shops, you're likely to see his name on the back.

Also an avid fisherman, Marsala likes nothing better than to catch the sunrise or the sunset from the deck of his boat.

Full name: Lawrence M. Marsala Jr.

Hometown: Norfolk.

Birthdate: Aug. 9, 1961.

Occupation: Firefighter, shock trauma technician

Nickname: Mike.

Marital status: Single.

What is your idea of a perfect day off? 5:30 a.m. sunrise, 4- to 5-foot glassy waves, dolphins in water; 10:30 a.m. trolling for Spanish mackerel off Cape Henry with fresh catch for dinner.

gfl2Last dumb thing you did: Opened all the bay doors to Fire Station No. 7 in the middle of winter just to let one fire truck in. I got confused with all those buttons.

Favorite meal: Seafood - the fresher the better. Flounder.

Favorite movies: ``Die Hard,'' James Bond movies.

Favorite song: ``The Captain and the Kid,'' by Jimmy Buffett.

Last book read: ``7 Habits of Highly Effective People'' by Stephen P. Covey.

Hobbies: Saltwater fly fishing, surfing, playing guitar, wing chun kung fu and photography.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I put things off too long.

Secret vice: Chocolate. Don't tell my doctor.

Favorite restaurant: Chicks Cafe on Lynnhaven Inlet.

Your favorite night on the town: Anchored off Duck Inn. Listening to Buffett, eating steamed shrimp with family and friends and watching the sunset on the Lynnhaven.

Favorite TV shows: ``Virginia Outdoor Live,'' ``Law and Order'' and ``Walker Texas Ranger.''

Favorite sport: Saltwater fly fishing.

Last vacation: Carolinas by the Intracoastal Waterway on my boat, Solina Marsala.

Pets: Black Lab, Anna Maria.

Worst job: Dishwasher at an Italian restaurant.

Of what achievements are you most proud? I became a professional Norfolk firefighter/shock trauma technician. Nothing feels as good as when you make a difference in someone's life. To save a life is the ultimate high that no drug can duplicate. The trust that people put in us is a wonderful responsibility. It's the best job in the world.

What would you like as your epitaph? Life's a vacation and if it's not, you better check your reservations. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS

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