Meet Dean Tartaro
When USMC Veteran and FDNY firefighter Dean Tartaro arrived in Park City for Hyperformance Foundation’s Winter Multi-Sport Adventure, he carried with him the same courage, humility, and devotion to service that define his work with FDNY Marine One—one of the city’s most elite emergency response units.
But he also brought something else: the heart of a grandfather and the kind of playful, youthful energy that instantly disarms kids, sparks laughter, and brings even the shyest little ones out of their shells.
Dean is a longtime adaptive ski and snowboard instructor, a trusted member of Hyperformance’s Advisory Board representing First Responders, and a coach who has guided athletes all the way to Invictus Team US. But in Park City, his most powerful impact wasn’t just technical—it was personal.
Helping Families of the Fallen Heal Through Joy
Our Winter Multi-Sport Adventure supports Families of the Fallen, many of whom also have children with disabilities like autism and Down syndrome. These trips are powerful but vulnerable spaces—places where trust is fragile, emotions run deep, and new environments can feel overwhelming.
That’s where Dean shines.
On the first morning, a young girl with Down syndrome stood off to the side, unsure about skiing. Dean didn’t rush. He crouched down, smiled, made a joke and got the kids laughing. Within minutes, they were talking, laughing, tossing snowballs, and trying on ski boots.
That’s the grandfather in him—warm, patient, goofy, and full of life.
By lunchtime, that same hesitant kid was cruising down the hill, grinning ear to ear, waving at her family each time she passed.
For her parents, it was more than a fun moment.
It was a glimpse of the joy that sports can bring, and the independence it offers.
A Leader Who Serves on Every Front
Prior to hitting the slopes with the families, Dean joined our Train the Trainer program—bringing quiet leadership, deep technical knowledge, and a huge capacity for fun. Participants gravitated toward him instantly.
So when Invictus Team US prepared for the winter games, Dean was a natural fit for our coaching crew. He brought the same energy with adult athletes that he brings with kids—encouraging, leveling up their confidence, and reminding them that joy matters as much as discipline.
