Marathon and the Middle Keys lost a prominent and beloved figure when Mike Cinque passed away peacefully in his home on Sept. 5.
A former city councilman and mayor, Cinque was the epitome of a self-made man who parlayed hard work, ingenuity and perseverance into a life on his own terms – highlighted by contributions to his community and humanity.
“He had a special love for Christmas, thoroughbred horse racing, travel and Westerns,” said one of his closest friends, Jim Tashjian. “He also enjoyed gambling and the excitement and camaraderie that came with it.”
Tashjian shared the same feelings as all those who came into Cinque’s orbit, adding, “Beyond the things he loved, Mike was someone who genuinely cared about people.”
Inspired by the post-apocalyptic novel, “Alas Babylon,” Cinque planned to attend MIT on a math scholarship, but after his father passed he instead hitchhiked from New Jersey to Florida in the early ’70s.
He eventually made his way to Marathon, where he worked various side jobs before landing a management position with the Key Colony Motel in his early 20s. There, he came under the tutelage of Matt Kibbler, who soon recognized the entrepreneurial spirit of the young man and ended up staking him with a year’s salary so he could go out on his own.
“Mike has a certain insight into things that most people don’t see. He was a good friend and a good counsel too,” said Chris Waldera, one of Cinque’s closest friends. “In my business I have met a lot of intelligent people and he was one of the smartest people I met in my life. He’s leaving a big hole in my heart.”
As he began to make his own way, Cinque first ran cable for Telmedia and then purchased his first concrete pumps when he founded Candlelight Construction in the mid-’70s – a moniker referring to unpermitted work performed under the cover of darkness.
In 1984, Cinque and his partner Karen Dennis purchased the building at the corner of 35th Street and U.S. 1 and opened the Stuffed Pig.
Decades later, the iconic eatery is one Marathon’s oldest restaurants and the scene of countless celebrations, events and political parties – including the site of the infamous “Pig Days.”
The event was a mix of everything Cinque loved – livestock racing complete with betting windows, BBQ, friends having a great time, plenty of drinks, lots of stuff for kids, and of course, philanthropy.
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay was at every event and called Cinque his friend for more than 40 years.
“He was very loyal and a very good friend, and if he was your friend, he was your friend no matter what. Mike was the type of person the community could count on. He was a good man and I’m gonna miss him.”
Cinque could often be found holding court on a semi-secluded concrete table on the restaurant’s patio, sifting through newspapers while sporting a pair of jeans and loosely buttoned collared shirt. He would entertain all sorts of local pundits, business associates and friends as generations of kids grew up eating at the Pig.
Newly elected school board member and former Marathon mayor Luis Gonzalez and his family are Stuffed Pig faithfuls whose kids (now raising their own families in Marathon) grew up attending the Easter egg hunts and pig races.
“He would give advice to the younger people,” said Gonzalez. “To invest, do better and build a family foundation. This was an incredible loss for our community.”
It was one of those concrete tables that served as the catalyst for the incorporation of Marathon. In September 1996, Cinque placed five of them behind his restaurant.
“They said I increased the use of an established business without acquiring a conditional use permit,” he told the Weekly in 2019.
Facing a $100 a day fine, Cinque wrote the first check to “Citizens Incorporate Marathon,” and a movement was born.
Later, Cinque would serve three consecutive terms on the Marathon City Council, including two years as the mayor. He steered the municipality through numerous challenges, including the installation of the citywide wastewater and stormwater system, and helped establish a new era of economic development for Marathon.
After leaving public office, Cinque continued his service as a member of the Marathon Planning Commission. He also continued his philanthropic efforts and served as a mentor for young entrepreneurs and political hopefuls.
“He was always for landowner rights. He understood more about Marathon law and why we incorporated than anybody. He was a very smart man,” said fellow commissioner and friend Mike Leonard. “That man loved Marathon. That’s the only way you can put it.”
A celebration of Mike Cinque’s life will take place on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Stuffed Pig. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.horsefarmsforever.com in Mike’s name.
