Not even a gala 70th anniversary party – which featured a renewal of vows, a dinner with everything from soup to nuts and a special limousine ride – could match the love a number of Johnstonians showed for Benedetto “Ben” Zanni last Wednesday night.
Zanni’s family – which includes three sons, six daughters, 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren – along with Mayor Joseph Polisena, Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini and members of the Johnston Fire and Police Departments staged a unique motorcade birthday parade that even momentarily stopped traffic on Cherry Hill Avenue.
As a result of the COVID-19 crisis and strict social distancing rules, Zanni’s family was unable to hold a birthday bash to honor the Johnston native and Air Force veteran who has helped a myriad of people throughout his storied life.
So his daughter Sylvia Zanni Sgambato and a host of family and friends organized what was supposed to be small birthday parade. It began in the Johnston High School parking lot, took a turn on Cherry Hill Avenue, continued with a lap around Nichols A. Ferri Middle School and concluded back at the high school.
But this was no small affair, as even an Epic Movie Car Club showed up to honor Ben Zanni, who his longtime friend and Director of Public Works Arnie Vecchione said “worked hard for many years because he wanted to make sure his family was well taken care of.” Vecchione was one of the parade participants along with his wife, Patricia.
The parade was led by two Johnston Police cruisers that were driven by officers Kevin Lyons and Mike Schiappa; a Johnston Fire engine manned by Lt. Joe Puerini, firefighters Anthony Collella and Ryan Jamiel; along with a ladder truck operated by Lt. David Slaimen and firefighter Derek Sousa.
There was also assistance from the North Providence Police Department, which sent Patrolman Igor Lima to help with the celebration because a Zanni family member works at the North Providence department.
Perhaps the event’s highlight was when Lyons and Schiappi formed a brief blockade so that Lyons could present Ben Zanni with a special gift from Tamburini.
“On behalf of Chief Tamburini,“ Lyons began, “happy birthday to our longtime neighbor and good friend Ben Zanni; here is a small token of our appreciation of being a great neighbor on your 93rd birthday.”
When asked if there would be as classic cake, Zanni-Sgambato mused: “We’re just thankful we still have our father.”
After leading what she called “a very active life,” Benedetto “Ben” Zanni’s life changed.
“That was a very a sad day when Dad fell and fractured his right hip,” she related. “He was taken to Mass General Hospital in Boston where surgeons operated on his hip and discovered he had sarcoma cancer which he is still battling today.”
However, Ben Zanni was all bundled up on a windy and chilly night sitting on his porch across from Johnston Police headquarters with his wife of 70 years, Vilma, and daughter Sylvia standing beside “a mighty man.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here