Published: July 30, 2007 10:25 am            

Tony Nassetta comforts people in time of need

Anyone would have thought the four men sitting around the table sipping coffee were neighbors visiting at a local cafeteria. And in some ways, that would be correct.

But these particular men are living at Benedictine Manor, a local Catholic retirement community, and though they are friends, Tony Nassetta, 85, is a volunteer with Comfort Care Hospice of Cullman. He and his wife, Lillian, are residents and Tony helps three male residents who are hospice patients.

“He probably puts in over 21 hours a week, doing different things on a daily basis – running errands, buying groceries and other personal necessities,” said Joyce Hardeman, Volunteer Coordinator of Comfort Care Hospice.

“I guess you could call me a ‘jack-of-all-trades,’” Nassetta said.

A gentleman with the actual name of John Henry, 86, joked, “I believe he was drafted into being a volunteer by us.”

Sam Tombrello, 94, said, “Tony is a workaholic, he has to have something to do.”

“Actually, it’s the competition. You see, he and I go to the same doctor and I found out he was giving people there chocolates. I decided to bring more chocolates than he did,” declared George Korpita, 87.

Nassetta says, “I do like being useful, lending a helping hand. We’re all friends, we have our social circle, enjoy each other’s company at our early morning round table discussions.”

“He’s always been one to go the extra mile,” says Henry. “I’m right across the hall from Tony and his wife, so I can call on him most any time.”

“Yeah, he’s pestering us all the time,” said Korpita. “Truth is though, he’s a big help when we need it.”

Hardeman said, “Tony is the kind of volunteer we like having, someone with a warm heart and big smile for everyone he meets.”

Outside the manor, Nassetta tends to several gardens. His personal favorite is the memory garden dedicated to former residents, now deceased. A colorful array of flowers bloom amidst the granite marker engraved with tribute to those who have walked this way before.

“Gardening has always been a passion, and I got involved with the gardens when Lilly and I moved here last January,” Nassetta said.

Nassetta and his wife, Lillian, have four adult children, two sons and two daughters. They are the proud grandparents of ten and great-grandparents of four. He owned a mill-works business most of his life, but has been retired for some years now.

The other men have had interesting lives, their backgrounds and careers diverse.

John Henry retired as a Navy Commander, General Manager of Western Union and from the Federal government. He moved here from Hawaii and has been at the manor ten years due to having heart problems.

Sam Tombrello spent 42 years with U.S. Steel.

George Korpita was a butcher, worked in the steel and construction industry, then Curtis Candy Company but spent most of his working life with the Golden Flake company.

Nassetta said, “These are a great bunch of guys, and I like helping them.”

Pausing a moment, he added, “I have to give credit where credit is due – all I am I owe to my mother and my wife.”

        

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