Lighting the Christmas night is couple's passion

Watching the attacks on 9/11 from his New Jersey home, Marc Anthony Worosilo says he decided to get away from the big city. He also made a commitment to devote his time to spreading happiness to others.

That includes the realization of a boyhood dream of decorating his house in Christmas lights for the enjoyment of the community.

Growing up in a Bayonne, N.J. tenement, Worosilo's family never had outdoor Christmas lights. But it was a family tradition to search for the best holiday light displays in the area, and he was hooked on everything Christmas. “My father told me that one day when I had my own house, I could put up lights,” he said.

Growing up, he even received lights as Christmas gifts. “I would play with a set of lights for hours changing the colors. They were like a toy to me. I was always in charge of the Christmas tree. It's always been my favorite time of the year.”

Fast forward about 50 years, and Worosilo and his husband, Tom Negran, have gone to the extreme decorating their Henlopen Landing home near Lewes the past five years with more than 50,000 lights complete with a synchronized, customized musical radio show. “I'm the inspiration, he's the perspiration,” Worosilo says with a smile.

Tom is a retired Bell Labs engineer from northern New Jersey with a background in computers. That helps with the high-tech knowledge required for modern light displays.

This year's show at the intersection of Seashore and Sandstone drives provides thousands of people joy from Nov. 28 through New Year's Day.

Retirement plans fast tracked

Worosilo had a vacation mobile home in the area and planned to eventually retire in Rehoboth Beach. That plan took a dramatic turn after Sept. 11.

As he watched from his New Jersey neighborhood across the Hudson River, overlooking the New York City skyline, the second plane, United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into the World Trade Center South Tower at 9:03 a.m. “I was horrified. It scared me so much I had to get away from that area,” he said. “I wanted to start a new life.”

It wasn't long after that he retired from his math teaching job and was on the move to the Cape Region where he settled in the Camelot Meadows community.

Negran also took early retirement and moved to Rehoboth Beach a year before Worosilo. They would eventually meet online, learning they had met previously several decades before. “It's funny how life works out,” Worosilo said. Although they have been together for 12 years, the couple was married five years ago, which coincidentally coincides with the first year they computerized their light show.

Negran has a one-word answer when he's asked if he ever dreamed he would be devoting so much energy to a Christmas display. “No,” he says emphatically.

“Tom's idea of Christmas was a battery-operated candle in the window,” Worosilo said with a laugh.

“I'm a convert now,” Negran says.

Going to the next level

Worosilo was decked out in red and white, greeting passersby Dec. 19 handing out candy canes. He said they start planning their display in April, and the actual setup begins in mid-October. They kick off each season with a Lite Up Party a week after Thanksgiving Day.

The couple had a static display at their home beginning in 2007 before taking their efforts up a big notch. That display was an annual winner in the neighborhood's decorating contest, but it wasn't enough for Worosilo. “I told Tom that we needed to raise the bar,” he said.

Worosilo said watching the hit ABC television show, “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” inspired him to add technology to their show. The TV show features over-the-top holiday displays by families across the country with weekly winners.

They don't accept donations, even though many people offer them. “We don't do that. We do it for the community – that's what lights us up,” he says. “I tell people to write us a letter.”

Their most prized letter included artwork from a young child with a note from his mother that 2½ year old Jason H. loved the lights. “That stays up on our refrigerator all year long,” Worosilo said. “That's why we do this – out of love.”

Show is one of a kind

Their display features a customized radio show on 90.1 FM radio. Worosilo said the audio is provided by Demented Elf Productions, specializing in voice-over packages for light displays.

They invite children into their home, which is also decorated from top to bottom, to select and name a bear from their special bear tree.

They also change the displays in their two large bay windows. Last year the theme was the Broadway show “Hello Dolly” complete with a singing Bette Midler doll. This year's them is a Charlie Brown Christmas. And each year, the outdoor show changes with more lights and different music.

Worosilo is already thinking about next year's show. “I want to add some country music for sure,” he said. He said planning for next season is imperative because lighting equipment companies have sales after the holiday.

The couple attends the Tri-State Christmas Light Gathering in New Jersey each April where they join with other aficionados to learn new trends, see what others are doing and learn about new technology.

During his teaching years, Worosilo directed the school's Christmas pageants and plays. He said some of his former students stay in touch with him on their Facebook page. “They say they see I'm still putting on shows,” he said.