Yesterday’s “Unsung Hero” story brought tears to many readers’ eyes.
It also brought this email, from hero Tucker Peters himself. After saving fellow teenage sailor Mark Adipietro’s life — and reading many heart-warming comments — he wrote one of his own:
“Thank you to everyone for the kind words. I was just one part of an extraordinary team. The true hero though is Mark, who fought like hell. Not many people have the grit or determination to fight back the way he did. He was back on the water with me today — onward and upward we go, forever connected.”
Tucker Peters (left) and Mark Adipietro, on their C420.
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Speaking of first aid and safety:
The fall Emergency Medical Technician/Responder class, sponsored by Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, begins September 6. It runs through December 20. Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays, with some Saturday sessions.
Over the years, at least 14 WVEMS members have gone on to medical school. Others became nurses, physician assistants and paramedics.
The cost ($1250 per Emergency Medical Technician student, $750 per Emergency Medical Responder student) includes classes, book, stethoscope and BP cuff. WVEMS can reimburse for the cost of our class after students are cleared as regular WVEMS members.
Click here for more information, and registration details.
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Speaking of service: Tony Giunta died on Saturday. He lived for many years with kidney disease.
A Staples High School graduate who spent 34 years as a Westport Police Department officer and detective, he was equally dedicated to the Boy Scouts, Kiwanis Club, Staples Key Club and Masonic Lodge #65.
In 1996 he carried the Olympic torch down the Post Road, en route to Atlanta.
A full obituary will be posted later. Visitation is a week from tomorrow (Friday, July 22, 4 to 8 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, July 23 (10 a.m., St. Luke Church), with a graveside service to follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
Tony Giunta, in the Masonic Temple meeting room.
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Once upon a time, there were a few dozen service stations in Westport: up and down the Post Road, on Main Street, Riverside Avenue, even Hillspoint Road.
There are very few now. Most sell only gas (and food).
A shout-out to one of the stalwarts: Westport Center Service. The station directly opposite Playhouse Square went above and beyond when I had a tire issue the other day. They were quick, responsive, and very, very efficient.
it’s been owned by the same man — Robert Walsh — since 1965. In a world of ever-changing businesses, and every-diminishing quality, it’s not hard to see why.
Westport Center Service
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Earthplace’s animal rescue and care is ongoing: 365 days a year.
For the next few days, they seek aid from the community.
A few donors have pledged to match up to $20,000 in funds for Earthplace’s animal projects.
Earthplace notes that $50 buys weekly produce for Animal Hall. $150 provides equipment, while $250 feeds all owls for one month. Click here to help.
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Today’s entitled parking photo comes from downtown.
Apparently all the cars facing the opposite direction — and a double yellow line — mean nothing when there’s an open space to be snagged.
(Photo/Maria Freeman)
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Longtime resident Phyllis Tremonte died last month at her Westport home. She was 100 years old.
Phyllis worked for C.B. Dolge Company for over 20 years. She was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, and was an avid reader. She loved to travel, and enjoyed cooking, baking and taking care of her family.
Phyllis was predeceased by her husband Thomas Tremonte, son Thomas Tremonte Jr., brother John Borriello and sisters, Mary Carrione and Archangel Argenio.
She is survived by her daughter Loretta Tremonte of Westport, daughter-in-law Peggy Tremonte of Wilmont, New Hampshire, grandchildren Thomas P. (Jessica) Tremonte, Julia A. (Mike) Cushman and Michael J. Tremonte, great-granddaughters Laina and Gianna Tremonte, sister Amy Campanella, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass will be held on Monday, July 18 (10 a.m., Assumption Church). In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Click here to leave online condolences.
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Thanks for all the “full buck moon” photos from last night. It was quite a sight, as many photographers documented.
Here’s a unique shot. With birds chilling at Compo Beach around 12:30 a.m., it’s a great fit for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
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And finally … in honor of July 14:
(Reader support is crucial to “06880.” Please click here to help.)
Very Sad News about Tony … He was a Wonderful Man , who I’ve known since childhood … Rest Easy Old Friend
Thank you, Dan, for keeping all of us old ex-Westporters apprised of good, not so good, and sad news as is the case in today’s article.
But it’s nice to hear that Bob Walsh still runs Westport Center Chevron. Clearly a testament to great service! Bob and his partner Don Horberg (who became a commercial pilot) took good care of my cars in the mid and late ‘60s after I got out of the USAF and until I moved to NYC. In fact, I bought one of my greatest old cars from them in 1966 for the grand sum of $25 to get it off their lot! It was a 1960 white Rambler station wagon, whose former owner was Jack Klugman, who had used it as a commuter/station car. Bob and Don set me up well with that car, which I then drove for another 35000 miles until NYC alternate side parking rules forced me to forsake owning a car, passing it on to another lucky owner. Thank you Bob, and I salute you from across the Sound!
Tony was one of the greats in so many roles. One of Westport’s finest.
I first met Tony when he was a CIT at Mahackeno and I was a first year “Papoose” of six years old. He was then, and always remained, the epitome of cool. A Westport treasure and a person you could look up to.
So very sorry to hear this. I am in shock. We always talked fly fishing for trout. What a nice man. My sincere condolences to the Guinta family. He will be missed .
Westport Center Service charges more for gas than any other station in FF County and, though some are foolish enough to pay his crazy prices, and he sure has the right to charge what he can get, to laud him despite his avarice is a bit perplexing.
I lauded his service. That’s completely different from the gas prices.