Dear Readers,
The Vigiano Family of New York, was the only family in the U.S. to lose two sons in the “Twin Towers” tragedy of 2001. The Vigianos, an Italian American family, suffered a double loss, two sons, one a policeman and one a fireman.The Vigiano brothers, were the sons of John Vigiano, a retired Fire Department Captain. John Vigiano’s father, had also been a fireman, so John Vigiano II, age 34, F.D.N.Y.C. truck n.132, died in the Twin Towers tragedy, a 3rd generation fireman proudly wearing the same badge his grandfather had been issued, but his body has never been found.
John Vigiano left a wife Maria and two children, Nicolette, 6 years, and Ariana 2 and half years old.
Joseph Vigiano, age 36, a detective with the New York City Police Department Emergency Service Unit, truck no.2, was recovered from the rubble on January 2, 2002, when his body was found and identified. He is survived by his wife Kathleen and three sons, Joseph, 9 years old, James, 7 years and John, 7 months.
Thanks to the efforts of the California based, “Buon Tempo” Club members, who raised ten thousand dollars for the children of the Vigiano brothers of New York, who lost their lives in the September twin Towers tragedy, a new “Italian Connection” was forged from “sea to shining sea,” and John Vigiano, now an “Honorary” member of the Buon Tempo Club has stayed in touch.
The Buon Tempo Club, currently based in Castro Valley, California was organized in San Leandro in 1958 for the single purpose of having a "good time" (buon tempo) promoting and preserving the positive aspect of our Italian Heritage and providing scholarships for deserving Italian American youth by participating in activities which benefit the community.
The nearly 250 members of the Buon Tempo Club, have a long history of providing prompt and positive support for projects of merit.
Following the Twin Towers tragedy in New York, then Buon Tempo president, Richard Gorham suggested that the Board of Directors authorize a club fund raiser to aid the children of an Italian American family who had suffered a loss on that dreadful disaster day in New York City, September 11, 2001.
Richard Gorham, president of The Buon Tempo Club, upon learning of the loss of the Vigiano family, sent condolences to Mr. and Mrs. Vigiano on the tragic loss of their two sons, on behalf of the Buon Tempo Club membership and conveyed to the Vigiano's the fact that the entire Buon Tempo Club membership was eager to help the Vigiano family in any way possible.
Mr. and Mrs. Vigiano were deeply moved that a small Italian American organization far across the miles had offered to help the five young children of Joe and John Vigiano, left fatherless because of the tragic events.
In California, as far west as you can go in the Continental United States, without falling in the Pacific Ocean, president Richard Gorham and his Buon Tempo Club board of directors swung into action.
The members sold lapel pins, with crossed U.S.A. and Italian flags, held Pasta Feeds and raffles and gained the support of Moose lodge no.1491, friends of friends and family who all contributed generously.
Margery Beraz, of Castro Valley, California, stayed away from the “Pasta Feed” table but her twelve hundred dollars donation fattened up the Buon Tempo Club fundraiser for the Vigiano brothers children to a hefty ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
With checks in hand, president Richard Gorham and his wife Kathleen of San Leandro and Board Member Vito Ciarfaglio, accompanied by this wife Marlene and son Michael, a Buon Tempo Club member, flew to New York City, at their own expenses, to meet with Mr. and Mrs. John Vigiano and present them with five checks, of $2,000 for each of their grandchildren as a token of the affection that has grown, across the miles, between the membership of the Buon Tempo Club in California and the Vigiano family of New York.
Vito Ciarfaglio upon his return to California commented that “the Vigianos are two warm wonderful people that made you feel as if you had been close friends for years.”
John Vigiano told them he went to “ground zero” every day and kept a vigil until his son's body was found on January 2, 2002.
Mr. Vigiano was moved by the fact that Michael Ciarfaglio, 34, the same age as his son John, had taken the time to come to New York to meet him.
The Vigiano family has established a trust fund for the education of each of the 5 children left behind by his two sons and the Buon Tempo Club checks will be added to the fund.Prior to leaving New York, John Vigiano was made an honorary member of the Buon Tempo Club and now receives their monthly Newsletter.
John and his wife Jan Vigiano, recently gave members of the Buon Tempo Club an updated “Grazie” to Vito Ciarfaglio. I can share it with you:
“Our lives have gone from stop to one-hundred miles an hour over the past few years. Since 9-11, our lives changed dramatically.
It has been non-stop. To give you an idea of what has happened... We have met with and had dinner with the President of the United States, met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I have eaten with Marines in Kuwait and Iraq, watched Bastille Day from the Eiffel Tower. Stood on the shores of Normandy an was honored to lay a wreath in the National cemetery there.
I have made numerous trips to both Walter Reed and Bethesda Hospitals to visit our wounded warriors.
Our family is still together...unlike many families that were destroyed because of 9-11...ours seemed to get stronger.
One of our daughter-in-laws (Maria, who was married to our son, John) is now engaged and will be getting married in October 2007.
Our other daughter-in-law, Kathy (married to Joe) is "seeing" someone...hopefully it will develop. Our grandchildren are growing and making us very proud with their achievements.
The oldest boy, Joseph just turned 14. He is an outstanding student, a fine football player and Boy Scout.
His love for animals is testimony to his personality.
The middle boy, Jimmy, is also a fine football player and a very good student...though he can come up with excuses now and then for not getting the "A" he should have gotten. He too is a Boy Scout and recently achieved his first rank...that of Tenderfoot. Jimmy just turned 12.The youngest, John Michael, is the 5 and half year old “baby” of the family. He started school this fall and loves it. No one can make you smile more.
John's Nicolette is 11. She loves sports, horses and is exceptional in school. She makes you so proud of her achievements. Next week she will be Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
Ariana, just turned 7...and she just loves dancing and performing. For her size she has the energy of a nuclear generator. She is very animated, very smart and an exceptional student.
My wife Jan finished her first year of remission. She was diagnostic with breast cancer last year and after her surgery, and 36+ treatments of radiation, she is pretty close to where she was before her setback.
We were invited to Camp Lejeune NC to visit with the Marines from the Wounded Warrior Barracks and to attend the Marine Corps Ball. It was both an honor and privilege to be among such wonderful men and women.
Health wise, we are all doing well.
We have traveled quite a bit over the past couple of years, but now we plan to stay local.We are blessed to have so many friends…and of course our Buon Tempo friends-family in San Leandro, California.”
“Buona Salute e Buona Fortuna” to the Vigiano family, al Buon Tempo Club members, and to current President Paul Grazzini.
The 2007 Buon Tempo Club officers are:
President: Paul Grazzini (his father Robert is a past president)
1st Vice President: Sal Attinello
2nd Vice President: Joe Paviglianti
3rd Vice President: Jerry Stuart
Financial Secretary: Wayne Caporusso
Recording Secretary: Stan Elam
The contact person for Buon Tempo Club membership information is: Wayne Caporusso, 831 Joaquin Ave, San Leandro, California, 94577.
10631 Vinedale Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - Phone (818) 767-3413 - Fax: (818) 767-1410
