“A gentlemen’s gentleman” and World War II veteran was honored during a recent surprise party at Cucina Rustica Restaurant on Atwood Avenue in Cranston.
The “fantastic father” and talented electrician being recognized was born when Woodrow Wilson occupied the White House and when gas could be purchased for just 25 cents per gallon.
Meet Julio Rotondo, a native Johnston resident who now lives just four houses from where he was born on George Waterman Road. He was caught off guard when his best friend Joe Grasso told him a “tall story” in order to keep the party a complete surprise.
“I was really, really surprised … shocked, in fact!” Rotondo, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Dec. 18, admitted when he sat among 65 friends and family during his birthday bash. “Joe told me we were going to his daughter Jackie’s Christmas party. I didn’t think twice; she usually has it around this time of year and invites me.”
Rotondo was expecting some sort of recognition in regards to becoming a centenarian, but as the soft-spoken man related: “I didn’t think anything would happen this soon.”
Yet his three children – Carol Lallo, Diane Rossi and Robert Rotondo – threw a party featuring a cake from Wright’s Dairy Farm and a slide show filled with family memories.
It was also for a man who calls himself “the baby of the family.” He is the son of the late Francesco and Carmina Rotondo, who had 10 children, including two daughters who have already soared past the century mark.
“My sister Emma [Pezza] is 108,” Rotondo offered. “My sister Angela [McCord] is 101 … we’re the only three left from a family of 10 children!”
That, people like Grasso and Peter Lombardi – who just may be Rotondo’s closest friends – will tell you, is quite the milestone. So, when people asked Rotondo about the secret of his longevity, he chuckled and then said, “I don’t know!”
“I tell everyone it’s the red wine,” he added with a smile.
Rotondo owned and operated Johnston Electric – which he turned over to his son Robert, now 65 and still working.
Robert Rotondo followed in his father’s footsteps and is the youngest of Julio’s three children. His sister Carol Lallo is 76 and his sister Diane Rossi is 72, and they’re all grandparents. Collectively, the elder Rotondo has 14 great grandchildren, and as he so proudly noted, “we’ve got 34 people in our family.”
Julio Rotondo – who is a proud parishioner at Our Lady of Grace Church – will tell you he doesn’t have any specific hobbies. But he loves making wine and playing bocce – and, of course, spending time with “my wonderful family” and going to the Italo-American Club.
He no longer drives, simply because his eyesight – as he’ll tell you – “isn’t what it used to be!”
“If it wasn’t for Joe,” Rotondo said, “I’d have to sit home and watch television all the time. I stopped driving five years ago because I couldn’t see that well. So, thank God for Joe; we go everywhere together.”
Meanwhile, Grasso added: “Julio is my best friend. I take him everywhere. He’s a great family man … he’s a World War II veteran who served with the combat engineers in Italy when he was in the service. Julio is simply a great man; I’m proud to have him as my best friend.”
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