First Chilean To Settle In Port

Manuel Maraboli has been honored as the first Chilean to settle in Port Washington.
He received a proclamation from Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio at Town Hall, flanked by friends and dignitaries proudly holding the Chilean and American flags.
Maraboli was born in Valparaiso, Chile, in 1945. As a young Merchant Marine, he acquired the discipline and work ethic necessary to start a new life in a new land. He decided to come to America.
At 24, he arrived in Port Washington. Alone, he stayed in a hotel and worked any and all jobs that came his way. His father’s departing words rang loudly in Manuel’s ears, “America is an amazing place, but you must work hard. You must get up and go to work every day, because in America, nobody is going to give you handouts.”
The work ethic he had gained stood him in good stead, and eventually he started Maraboli Construction.
He says that he made a deal with his wife Tegualda, and he gives her all of the credit in raising their three children. He told his wife at the beginning of their long, happy marriage: “I will get up and work every day. I will provide and no one will go hungry. You, teach the children and make them good people.”
Of his three children, one is a motivational speaker and bestselling author, another is a copyright attorney for SONY and the third is a flight engineer and Afghan war vet for the US Air Force.
Maraboli is a very humble man with simple values that have served him and his family well. As he was leaving, his friend Carlos Gonzalez stated, “We have two mothers: the first one brings us into this world. The second mother gave us our lives and she is right here. She is America.”
Maraboli nodded his head yes, emphatically. This man who has worked every day to live the American Dream moved the Councilwoman and all who attended the ceremony for him. She said she looks forward to working with Maraboli and the Chilean community in the future.