`He was like a brother to me'

There were some extraordinary emotions on display last Thursday evening during the Johnston Street Machines monthly Cruizin’ for a Cause Trophy Night, held in the Denny’s Restaurant parking lot off Hartford Avenue.

They came from men like Alan Monacchio, John “JT” Tomasso and Ted Nelson, who are still trying to adjust their lives without their “fantastic friend” and “beloved brother,” the late Louis R. “Louie” Annunziata.

Annunziata was a fixture at a number of area events with his show partner and daughter, Lori-Ann Annunziata. They won more than 100 trophies for their vintage vehicle, a shiny 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air.

When Annunziata passed away on May 17 after a brief illness, JSM president Gary Maddocks said the group decided to “do something special for Louie’s family.”

“He never missed our shows and we want his legacy to live forever,” Maddocks said.

So last Thursday evening, on a night that benefited the Rhode Island VFW and included trophy presentations by retired Lt. Col. Gary S. Maddocks Sr., the JSM held a moving memorial during which Annunziata’s wife, Ann-Marie, graciously accepted a trophy from Manocchio.

“He was like a brother to me,” Manocchio said. “Louie was a true gentleman and went out a happy camper. He’s looking down from heaven smiling with what’s going on here tonight.”

Maddocks, meanwhile, told an attentive audience that each of the trophies the JSM will present during the 2019 season have been sponsored by Anthony Ferranti of Anthony’s Auto Body, and the gold tops are shaped like Louie’s 1955 Bel Air.

Louie’s classic car was built in many parts by Tomasso, who has restored many vintage vehicles during his years.

“JT basically refurbished Louie’s car,” Manocchio said after the memorial ceremony. “He worked on it for a complete year.”

Tomasso has rebuilt many classic cars during his life and, like his friend, has also won a number of coveted awards for vehicles.

“Louie was a great friend,” said Nelson, who along with his wife Arlene, daughter Taylor and son Kyle, has been a longtime friend of the Annunziatas. “He touched many people’s lives and would do anything for anybody.”

Even people like Tom Dwyer, who took home the first-place award in the monthly top 10 classic winners for his 1938 Oldsmobile, and VFW icon Raymond Denisewich, with his red and white 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, had high praise for the late Annunziata.

“He was a familiar face around these shows,” Denisewich said. “Louie was liked – make that loved – by everyone he came in contact with.”

“Louie was a man’s man,” Nelson said after the special tribute. “He was a member of Local 271 Laborers International of North America 1969 and received a 50-year pin. He worked on landmark projects like Providence Civic Center and Mall and the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, just to name a few. He was an avid hunter and traveled in the U.S. and around the world. Louie had a non-stop lifestyle and his passing leaves a huge void in all our lives.”