It was perhaps Rev. Peter J. Gower, the popular pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Johnston, who best characterized Joseph “Joe” Spremulli during the recent tribute that included a host of dignitaries and members of Rhode Island’s foremost Italian-American non-profit organizations.
“I have been called upon to share some input on Joe Spremulli,” Father Gower began. “The first thing that comes to my mind is a good man. Now, in our day it is the habit of many to inflate or exaggerate the qualities of a person to the point where you can barely recognize who they are talking about.”
Thus, sincerity and special meaning ringing in his voice, Father Gower sternly stated: “But I am not doing that — Joe Spremulli is a GOOD MAN!”
After which the long-serving pastor, who has implanted many ways to bring the highly-active OLG community together for religious worshiping and unique social events, queried: “Now, you may wonder how I can make such a statement; how I can say with certainty that Joseph Spremulli is a Good Man? I say it because of his love for his church, his wife, his family and his heritage.”
Father Gower also related about how he came to witness this when Joe Spremulli continue to give of himself — tirelessly — to help anyone in need and how he would go out of his way to respond when “asked for assistance of any kind.”
Although Spremulli has many unmatched contributions for his fellow man, church and community, one thing in particular was apparent from when he reorganized the Pannese Society of Rhode Island — which was actually founded in 1909 — back in 2013.
Spremulli, who is known for his deep dedication to the patron saint “La Madonna Del Bosco of Panni,” discovered that a statute built in the early 1900s that came from Italy and had been inside Holy Ghost Church on Federal Hill, was found in a nearby garage and in dire need of restoration and refurbishing.
Thus, Spremulli went to work and enlisted the services of fellow Italo-Americans and soon the statue was looking like new and he called Father Gower to arrange a heart-felt donation and rededication of the patron saint statute at Our Lady of Grace Church where “LaMadonna Del Bosco” has been housed ever since.
Enter Louis Spremulli, Joe’s son who was one of five reorganizing Pannesse Society members, who explained that La Madonna del Bosco means “The Mother of the Woods.”
After which Father Gower emphasized: “Joe Spremulli was one of the man who worked nonstop to provide for his family, to help the church, provide for the needy and support the Pannese Society. So, you want to know why I can say with certainty he was a good man? Because Joe always put himself aside to work for others, most especially those in need, i.e., the hungry, the homeless, the less fortunate.”
Father Gower then suggested, with a special smile on his face: “Ask his friends, ask the many people who knew him if he was a good man. Ask the people who passed him just in inside (OLG) each week as they came into the church, never complaining though he was in much more pain that most; ask the owns who were inspired by his selflessness and hope for others. Ask members of the Pannese Society; ask them if he was a good man and they will answer with a resounding YES!”
The OLG pastor when paused while still recanting the countless contributions of the iconic parishioner saying: “I have witnessed first-hand this Good Man in action. He would be in my office often always looking for ways to help with his time, talent and treasure.”
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