A local Stop and Shop helped a World War II veteran and former employee celebrate his 100th birthday with a dedicated veteran’s parking place named in his honor.
Bartholomeo “Benny” Ficeto — also known as “Benny the Bagger” — served in the Army Air Force during WWII in Northern Africa and Italy as a gunner on a B-52 Mitchell Bomber.
He began working at Stop and Shop 12 years ago in Bloomfield, New Jersey before transferring to the Edison location about four years ago, where he worked regularly until the pandemic hit in March of last year.
On Monday he was greeted by all of his coworkers wearing “Happy Birthday Benny” masks for the celebration, which included a live performance from an all-girls a capella group singing songs from his era.
“Oh man, thank you very much,” Ficeto said from his wheelchair in response to all the birthday wishes.
“They’re all for me,” he said, looking at all the people.
Ficeto also had the honor of cutting the ribbon of the new parking spot — reserved for US veterans — that will forever bear his name.
“Benny we thank you for your service and we hope when customers and associates see this sign, they think of your service,” said Stop and Shop representative Mandy Koski on Monday.
“It’s amazing that he’s made it to 100 and he’s in the shape that he’s in,” his grand-nephew Daniel Reynolds, who lives with Ficeto, said.
“It’s hard at his age to get out, it’s hard, especially now, to do things with COVID and everything but he’s very happy to be out and around people. That’s what I think he misses most — interacting and seeing people everyday, which is what he was able to do at Stop and Shop.”
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August 24, 2021 at 06:54AM
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New Jersey Stop and Shop celebrates WWII vet's 100th birthday - New York Post
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