Mickey Garagiola didn't just stand in the shadow of his kid brother, Joe, the famous former Cardinals catcher and "Today" show host.

In his day, Mickey was probably the most famous waiter in town.

When he wasn't waiting tables at the old Ruggeri's restaurant, or serving as an unofficial ambassador for the Hill, where he grew up, you'd see him on TV hosting the old "Wrestling at the Chase" show.

Martin "Mickey" Garagiola died Sunday (Aug. 29, 2010) at Mary Queen and Mother Skilled Nursing Care in Shrewsbury. He was 88 and was diagnosed in July with cancer, his family said Monday.

Mr. Garagiola's parents emigrated from near Milan, Italy. A 1998 profile in the Post-Dispatch said the family watched every nickel, did without a phone until Joe was in high school and buried money in coffee cans next to the tomato plants in the backyard.

Burying money was common on the Hill in the 1930s. Later, when Depression fears eased and people began bringing their money to banks, the cash often had a powerful smell. Bankers said that was because the tomatoes were fertilized with manure.

The Garagiolas lived on Elizabeth Avenue in a neighborhood they helped make famous. Across the street lived Yogi Berra, the future All-Star catcher for the Yankees. Down the street was Ben Pucci, a future pro football player.

After Mickey graduated from the eighth grade at St. Ambrose School, his father learned that Ruggeri's needed part-time work.

Mickey started as a dishwasher. Forty-five years later, he was still there.

It was his daily high. At 11 a.m., he walked a few blocks from home and reported to work at the restaurant on Edwards. At 2 p.m. he was back home for a quick shave and shower. At 5, he was back on duty for dinner. At 10, he was done for the day.

"Going home with $15 or $20 in your pocket, man, that was great," he recalled years later. "I thought I was rich."

Ruggeri's was closed on Sundays, and wrestling promoter Sam Muchnick offered Mr. Garagiola a job announcing "Wrestling at the Chase," which was taped Sundays at the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel. During the 1950s, brother Joe had held the job.

Whether the wrestling was real or scripted was a matter of opinion. Mr. Garagiola said he did whatever Muchnick told him to do.

When Jack Briscoe pinned world champion Harley Race, Mr. Garagiola excitedly announced that Briscoe was the new champ.

"What the hell were you doing?" Muchnick asked.

"The guy beat the champ. I thought that was it," Mr. Garagiola replied.

"Doesn't work that way," Muchnick explained.

In 1982, at City Hall, the mayor saluted Mr. Garagiola's careers as waiter and ring announcer.

Then Ruggeri's closed. Mr. Garagiola walked into Pietro's restaurant on Watson Road and worked there for 14 years. He retired in 1996, at 75.

"That's enough," he explained.

Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Calcaterra Funeral Home, 5142 Daggett Avenue. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 5800 Oleatha Avenue. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.

Among the survivors are a daughter, Martina Bettlach of St. Louis; two sons, Robert Garagiola of Crestwood and John Garagiola of St. Louis; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. His wife, Adele, died in 2006.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Sick and Elderly Program of The Hill or St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.