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.
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