Diveheart
With this year marking the 50th anniversary of the submersion of the “Christ of the Deep” statue off Key Largo, Gabe Spataro knew he had to make a dive to honor it.
After all, Spataro, an 83-year-old Korean War veteran who first learned of the statue while on a wine-tasting trip to Italy 54 years ago, was instrumental in orchestrating the statue’s move from Genoa, Italy, to Chicago to its final resting spot on the ocean floor.
The “Christ of the Deep” statue has become one of the most popular diving and snorkeling destinations in the Florida Keys.
On Tuesday, Spataro placed two brown wreaths, decorated in orange and gold leaves, over the statue’s outstretched arms.
Read the Miami Herald article online (July 21, 2015) – A 50-year tribute to the underwater Christ statue
Read or download the article (PDF)
Read the full Miami Herald front-page story (May 2013) (PDF)
Watch the Gabe’s Story video