Vito Speziale
Man Is His Own Star
And that soul that can be honest is the only perfect man.
The words belong to John Fletcher who wrote in the 16" century. The sentiments belong today to a few
special people in the 2 lst century. Like Vito Speziale. The man who invented nice.
Not a perfect man, he will be the first to admit. But a good man who was summoned to greatness, and
answered the call by giving the best that was in him. And, in giving to others, he dared to dream today that
others might share tomorrow. Honoring the spirit of generosity which ennobles, enriches and defines us all.
Born to humble circumstances in the 7th streel Italian neighborhood of Manhattan, today he has a wall
covered with plaques and awards honoring his achievements in helping the needy and the homeless, the
physically and mentally challenged among us. -
An ordinary titan, he found ways to do the extraordinary.. became a judge advocate, a post commander, a state commander, and national sergeant-at-arms In the Italian American War Veterans... and at the same time, the "Italian Santa Claus" to homeless children in Vero Beach, seeking toys and clothes (one child asked for underwear).
A businessman who owned auto body shops, re-shaping damaged vehicles, he has invested many more years re-shaping young lives through programs such as the Tootsie Roll Drive at Knights of Columbus. And helping re-shape adult lives through programs such as Veterans Helping Veterans and the Daisy Drive of the Italian American War Veterans. Plus the VFW and the American Legion. And working with the Veterans Administration in West Palm Beach to establish an outpatient medical clinic in Vero Beach.
A member of the Board of Directors at the Italian American Civic Association, his volunteer work did not go unnoticed. Bottom line. He was recently nominated with other community leaders as a candidate for the prestigious Italian American Citizen of the Year award for 2005. Indeed, Vito's career reads like a Horatio Alger story. Starting with nothing, and winding up with something. The satisfaction of helping his neighbor and making his own life worthwhile. For Vito truly believes that, in this world, we are given many possessions...but, in the end, all we really have is each other.It wasn't easy. in point of fact, it was a
long uncertain journey from Vito's childhood in New York City, and later growing up in Queens and attending Machine and Metal Trades High School ... to his present leadership role in the Vero Beach community. Eventually he moved to Long Island, and then to Pennsylvania and, finally, to Vero Beach in 1990.
After high school, He went into the Navy, and served in the Aleutian Islands in the 1944-1946 period. Later he studied architectural engineering at the Brooklyn University of Technology. His first business success came when he became an entrepreneur in the 1954-1960 period with ownership of an auto refinishing facility along with a lot for pre-owned vehicles and a car wash., an enterprise occupying a whole city block in Corona, Queens.
Eventually the corporate world beckoned, and Vito found himself in demand as an insurance adjuster at Allstate. .a job that had a long run. ..from 1967 to his retirement in 1988. The position presented Vito with more than a few surprises. In effect, his clients included damage victims from the eruption of Mt. St. Helen's volcano, mud slides in San Francisco, hailstorms in Colorado, .sandstorms in the Moliave Dessert, tornadoes in Kentucky and Ohio. a woman with 14 dogs and a soiled rug, a set of Kosher dishes ruined by some very Italian pizza.
Boring this job was not, But then Vito has always met life head-on. Apparently his ancestors did, too. He is now writing a book on his family history which happens to include many schoolteachers, an ambassador to Turkey, a consul to Switzerland, cousin Pietro (a biology professor) in Milan and other beloved characters. Even his name, VIto, is a form of Vittorio, the Italian version of Victor.. from the Latin meaning "victor, conqueror." Indeed, three kings of Sardinia and Italy were named Victor Emmanuel beween 1759 and 1947.
No awards or plaques given, or needed, for one of Vito's proudest accomplishments of all.. his present family. His charming wife,Maria, a professional dressmaker (and a fabulous cook). Their three children.. Mark, a neonatal specialist with an M.D. and a Ph.D... Richard, Chief Financial Officer at CitiCorp...and Gina, a schoolteacher with a Master's degree.. their two stepchildren, Vincent and Margaret.. and (their eleven grandchildren.
When you add it all up, with all the triumphs and all the defeats, Vito's story becomes a metaphor for living in the 21 century. Because it reveals a universal truth about humanity in any age, and what really matters when the journey is done.
William Wordsworth had it all figured out some two hundred years ago. `That best portion at a good man's life...his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."
Peter P. Capece
HE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING
Almost like the recent storms. Snapping trees like matchsticks Bending telephone poles
like rubber bands. Only his impact was positive. And Club members past and present are all
ennobled and enriched by that singular event.
It was on a fateful day in 1986. Like all our Club heroes in our illustrious history, he is larger
than life. Believes in the words of a Palm Beach religious leader...there is a difference between
just existing, and living, what can I do today to solve this problem...or, better yet, what can I do
to make life wonderful?'
Can do things other people just talk about. A "`mover and a shaker" and a catalyst for making -
things happen. Is otherwise normal, has courage and compassion, is not perfect but flawed like
all of us. Is our friend forever, He is moving out of our area soon but only two hours away... and
he will visit us from time to time-., and we can continue to communicate by phone and email.
Peter P. Capece. past President and longtime officer of our Club, since honored as a `Life
Member' of the Club, will be reachable at 2262 Caledonian Street ..Clermont, Florida 34711.
Cell phone (772) 571-7084. Email capecep@bellsouth net.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once told us.. "A friend may well be reckoned the Masterpiece of
Nature." And Henry Brooks Adams added that "one friend in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible.' Well, it turns out that Pete does have three friends at our Club. Probably a few more. (Along with his registered nurse wife of 40 years, Phyllis, and their three children and five grandchildren.) But, for those oF you who don't know him, sonic things are woith noting in a career that borders on the incredible.
Something of consequence happened in Vero Beach many years ago. Opportunity came to town (from Staten Island in 1984). A
champion of Italian heritage and culture, and former fire service professional and award-winning arson investigator, opened a local
footwear business (in 1985) and joined the Italian American Civic Association the following year. Pete was about to start making a
difference in people's lives in our community. In 1995 Pete was elected Vice President of the Club, and President the following year. He continued to serve as an officer and/or board member until 2004. Over the years he introduced or expanded upon many programs wItch enhanced community awareness...such as this monthly newsletter (launched in February 2002) the annual Columbus Day event and the "Italian American of the Year" rccognition...the annual Food Festival...and so much more. Along the way he operated an athletic shoe store from 1985 to 1999. Was a part-time instructor at the Indian River Comnrnoity College in the Fire Science and Criminal Justice program.
Pete sevred on the Vero Beach City Recreation & Parks Commission. Also was Past President of the Vero Beach Sunrise Rotary Club. And member of the Vero Beach Veterans...also a member of Vero Beach Post 3 of the Italian American War Veterans. Plus a Life Member of l'he Benevolent Order of Elks (for 30-plus years).,.and Vice President of the Treasure Coast Division of the United Retired Firefighters of New York City.
He retired in 1985 from the New York City Fire Department after 21 years. attaining the rank of Supervising Fire Marshal. He is
now writing a book/screenplay about his experiences titled Wire Justice." Previously he served for three years in the U.S.
Army...including two years with the Military Police in Japan
Pete was educated at The College of Staten Island with an Associate's degree in Business...and at St. Francis College in Brooklyn with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. But Pete not only has been a dear friend to us over the years. He also taught us some things. That we can reap untold rewards in simply learning about one another as a wonderful exercise in discovery. And a metaphor for living in the 21st century,
Member Profile (by Les Rossi) |
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