If you’re a native Westporter, you probably know Rick Giunta.
If you’re a newcomer, you may not recognize the name.
But anyone who has ever enjoyed Compo Beach or Longshore — or any other town recreational facility — has done so thanks, in large part and over many years, to Giunta.
Rick Giunta
The Westport Parks & Recreation deputy director retires next week, after 18 years with the department.
Parks & Rec — and the entire town — will miss his broad knowledge, great expertise, and strong love for his work and his community.
Giunta is that once common, now all too rare breed: a local boy who stayed true to his roots.
A Staples High School graduate (and, like so many of his era, a former Arrow restaurant employee), he worked as a compensation analyst for Champion International, and a manager/director at Pitney Bowes, before joining Parks & Rec as a customer service manager in 2007.
He’d already served his home town, as a special police officer in the Marine Division starting in 1982. He continued through 2015.
Giunta was a volunteer football coach for Westport PAL. He stayed long after his twin sons left the program, spending more than 20 years as a treasurer and trustee.
Rick Giunta and his sons: then, and more recently.
He was also a longtime volunteer with Festival Italiano.
After director Jen Fava resigned last year, Giunta was “the glue of the department,” says operations manager Carmen Roda.
“He’s been our face to the public. He oversees customer service — like beach emblem sales, and boat and kayak renewals and storage — and the budget too.”
Giunta is “a good mentor and colleague,” Roda says. “I’ll miss our morning talks, when we get ready for the day. He fosters leadership and engagement. He’s made a mark on the people who worked for and with him, and on the entire town.
“Retirement is great for him. But Westport is losing a very important resource.
Rick Giunta (right) and Carmen Roda, at last year’s Soundview Summer Stroll. (Photo/Dan Woog)
“Rick loves giving back, and helping the community,” Roda continues. “He’s ‘Mr. Westport.’ He knows the history of places and people. He’s seen the past and the present, and knows all the trends.”
Giunta “doesn’t like the spotlight,” Roda notes. “He’s the type of guy who always puts the town and its people in front of his own needs.”
Erik Barbieri took over as Parks & Rec director just 5 months ago. But he was impressed with Giunta as early as the interview process.
“The first time I met him I saw his professionalism, and his desire to help smooth the transition. I’ve really valued his experience, with budgets and operations.
“I hate to see him leave. But I’m super excited to see him enjoy retirement.”
Giunta — who owns the house he grew up in, off South Compo Road — looks forward to spending time on his boat, with his wife Karen, his sons and grandchildren.
Rick and Karen Giunta.
His legacy will live on. Giunta’s son Michael transitioned from a summer Parks & Rec job to his full-time role, as waterfront senior foreman. (His brother Christopher is a physical therapist in Trumbull.)
Even though he’s retiring, Westport native Rick Giunta is not going anywhere.
“He told me he’s only a phone call — and less than a mile — away,” Barbieri says.
“I really appreciate that.”
Westport appreciates Rick Giunta. Well-deserved congratulations on retirement — and as this week’s Unsung Hero.
(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
Excellent choice for unsung hero. I’ve known Rick since my son and his boys wrestled for Staples. He was a great guy then and still is. Best of luck, Rick.
Congratulations Rick. Enjoy your retirement and thanks for all you have done for the town. Hope to see you around
Oh my, if we only had more dedicated quality individuals in this country like Rick Giunta we would be so grateful.
Enjoy a healthy retirement! You earned it!
As a fellow boater, fair winds and calm seas!
Best of luck Rick – you’ll be missed in that role!!!
Rick might be irreplaceable..Total dedication and he made that place hum smoothly…I’m sorry to see him go. Best of luck Rick!!
Rick is one of the best. I appreciated his willingness to step up after Jen left (I’ve told him this several times). He kept things together when it was needed. Thank you, Rick. We’ll be in touch.
Any relation to Johnny Giunta, the former Westport policeman?
The institutional knowledge and gift he brought to Westport can never be replaced or duplicated. Rick is so dedicated to this town, his family, and helping others so that all can enjoy the way he did.
Here’s to finally resting and living free after 30+ years to the town of being a special, coach, and deputy director. Most of all, you are a role model.
Thank you for always being there and being just you. 🇺🇸 see you on “A” dock.
Rick you will be missed from the town you done a lot for Westport and you will Deff be missed for all you did have done up mark will be left there at parks and recreation
Rick,
Congratulations on your retirement from Parks and Rec. Was always great to work with you when we were on the Westport Police Force together, especially on the Marine Division. Thanks for All you have done for Parks and Rec. from a guy that really knows what that means!! All the Best to you and Karen and your boys and their families. Enjoy your well deserved time off!!
Tom
Congratulations Rick, well deserved praise. Thank you for everything you have given to the town of Westport!
Mike
Best of luck Rick. Thanks for all those years of dedication to our great little town. Will miss you !! BTW, you seem too young to retire, but clearly up to you.
Congratulations Rick. Best to you and Karen on you next chapter. Always love seeing your smiling face, you will be missed.
A kind and gracious man.
We will all miss him doing all he could to make Westport a better place for us all.
Buona Fortuna e Grazie Mille
Rick- you’ve been a calm and steady ally since I arrived at Longshore 12 years ago. Always open to listen, guide and laugh at the absurdities that have come our way.
You’re already missed by the LSS crew.
A big thank you to you for your guidance and support.
Congratulations Rick on your retirement!
You will be missed. Congrats on retirement
Westport is no stranger to taking the “scenic route” from conception to decision on major projects. Imagine then being “that guy” who now has to actually get it done. Rick was very often “that guy” at P&R and surely will be missed.
Rick, Karen, and their entire family are Westport treasures! They were the first to welcome our family to Westport over two decades ago and are dear friends to this day. It’s wonderful to see the community recognize the work that they contribute behind the scenes, enriching the lives of everyone in town. They are truly the type of folks we should all be so lucky to know and love.
All. I’ve been truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work in the community I grew up in and love so much. I’m also humbled having read the comments of so many. Thank you Westport and residents to have allowed me the privilege to serve our wonderful Town. See you all around!!!
Congratulations Rick, and Thank You for all you have done for Westport. Please say hi to Karen and the boys. I worked at GFS and remember them all well. You have a lovely family and can now enjoy them full time. A well deserved rest.
Rick,
You are the embodiment of Westport. I am sad to see you leave the job, but I know I will still see you in the neighborhood and all around the town I know you love so much. Thanks for everything you’ve done.
Matthew
Simply THE BEST! Thank you Rick for all you have done for our community, from police officer, Marine Division, Parks and Recreation Interim Director, and Deputy Director- you have done them all with professionalism and heart.
It is not often a native son who grew up here, stays here in a leadership role with emphasis on the residents of our community.
It is time for you to enjoy some “Rick Time” with your family and friends. We are pleased that you will never be too far away, and lucky we have a great Guinta in your son Michael in a leadership roll with our Parks and Recreation Department.
A true gentleman and a wonderful guy. Always ready, willing and able to help with a big smile. Simply put, a very special person.
Good luck Rick to you and your family. Enjoy retirement. All the best.
Steve Rappaport
Wow, So nice to read a Home Grown success story! Best of luck Rick & Family! Sounds like every day ahead will be a Saturday or Sunday… Enjoy ’em All & Thanks! David Squires (Staples ’75)