Rotella took over the family business after his father passed away.
Rotella makes sure that he keeps busy, maintaining a strong work ethic.
He works on many different types of shoes, including dress shoes, house shoes, boots and sneakers.
Rotella’s cluttered shop is full of all sorts of items that he has accumulated over the years — giving his workspace a unique and recognizable personality.
Rotella uses vintage tools, like s-shaped hammers and shoe-cobbling pliers, that are fit to tackle any type of shoe he encounters.
Some of Rotella’s regular customers come by occasionally to joke around and laugh with him, even when they don’t need any work done on their shoes.
Rotella never fails to interact with people — a testament to his personality. Here he jokes with young fan at a Syracuse Crunch game.
Rotella accepts donations of old or worn shoes, which he repairs and gives back to people in need. By the end of 2022, his business had collected and distributed more than 34,000 pairs.
Rotella conducts radio interviews with local stations each Tuesday morning, during which he promotes his business and breaks news on upcoming events.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh presents Ralph with his own day, December 15, 2022, “Ralph ‘The Shoe Repair Man’ Rotella Day.”
Eric Komar began arm-wrestling as a hobby in high school and entered his first competition with no experience. Though he didn’t win the match, Komar’s participation in the competition resulted in meeting his coach and eventually going pro.
During his nine years of experience, Komar has competed in an estimated 50 competitions and has landed in the top three in 30 of those — a 60% placement record.
Komar’s says his inability to use his legs isn’t much of an inconvenience. Although he takes a little longer to conduct normal tasks, such as putting on his pants, he is 100% independent.
Komar’s mother, Linda, has multiple sclerosis and myeloma, a form of cancer. He cherishes moments with her including their weekly Sunday morning breakfasts.
Because of his disadvantages and disabilities, one quote that especially resonates with Komar comes from a Sylvester Stallone character: “The world meets nobody halfway.”
Komar arrives at Ultimate Family Athletics for his regular Saturday practice to perfect his craft and doesn’t miss a day.
Now 38 (as of 2023), Komar has had approximately 20 surgeries since the day he was born.
One side effect of Komar’s condition is the disruption of his cerebral spinal fluid. Doctors installed a shunt, a tube running from his skull down to his stomach, to drain the fluid from his head through his urine.
Komar’s ultimate goal is to help create opportunities for disabled athletes on par with those provided to the Michael Jordans and Derek Jeters of the world.