Local author pens second book
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Joe Siccardi, a recent mid-Maine transplant, has completed his second book “Wisdom from a Father.”
The Dover-Foxcroft resident is a 52-year newspaper publishing veteran, most recently as publisher/editor of the Reveille/Between the Lakes, a community weekly newspaper in Seneca County of the Finger Lakes in New York. Siccardi credits the quiet of Maine as the impetus for completing the project. He moved to Dover-Foxcroft just over three years ago, commuting to and from upstate New York. He sold his publication and retired permanently to Piscataquis County in July 2017.
A mid-November launch of “Wisdom from a Father” took place on Nov. 18 at West Fayette Presbyterian Church in New York through Facebook-live. A second launch and book signing will take place on Dec. 6 from 1-2 p.m. at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft for friends and followers from the Pine Tree State. Those who wish to pre-order can do so by contacting wisdomfromafather@gmail.com; a signed copy will be sent as soon as it becomes available.
Siccardi
“Wisdom from a Father” is a reflective look at life, segmented into chapters. The words are updates of posts made on his blog, wisdomfromfather.wordpress.com. The 52 essay chapters include reflections on life, love, and family. All are written from the heart, sometimes seriously and sometimes with a touch of humor.
The cover features a photo the author took of Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde. Siccardi stated, “The long planks hopefully invite readers to the lighthouse and, in turn, to open the book and choose their own path and pace. The type font Edwardian Script was chosen to be personal and intimate. The combination blends the illumination, resilience and comfort of the lighthouse with words that hopefully guide, build inner strength and give hope.”
Siccardi does not profess to be a teacher or leader, and never has, “I’m just that ordinary Joe walking on the path of life, and sharing it with you. There are joys. There are tribulations. There are reflections. This is everyday life. In each essay I try to convey a recognition of a greater Power who colors my perspective. My comments are always filtered through the lens of my Judeo-Christian values and largely based on 40 years of marriage, raising five children.”
This is Siccardi’s second venture into the world of book publishing. He released a novella “Heaven Shining Through” last March, receiving four- and five-star reviews. It remains available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and is listed at GoodReads.
Siccardi worked in the newspaper industry all his life including stops in New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, DC, Maryland, New York, and now Maine. He and his late wife raised five children and currently have 18 grandchildren and three great-granddaughters.