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By Stephen Press
Hometown Weekly Staff
Leave it to members of the Walpole community to figure out how to make St. Patrick’s Day even more festive.
On a beautiful, sunny Friday morning, friends and neighbors gathered to celebrate the holiday, the town, and the giving spirit. The Friends of St. Patrick (FOSP), self-described as “a small band of local citizens in Walpole, dedicated to spreading good will and good cheer,” lived up to their billing, spearheading a day that would have them breakfasting at Finnegan’s Wake, parading up Main Street, and descending upon Ambrosia for their annual luncheon.
“The Friends of St. Patrick is a committee that raises funds that stay within the town of Walpole,” explained Board Member Lorraine Dundon. “It was established to help out the people of Walpole. This is our 30th year of doing this.”
A beloved Walpole tradition, this year’s luncheon honored the Giandomenico family, 2017’s Persons of the Year.
“We’re starting off with breakfast. A little parade for them, and then we take them up to [Ambrosia] … Every year, we choose an individual that goes over and above their normal duties - not just with charity, but with the kindness that they offer to the community,” added Virginia Tracey, herself also an FOSP Board Member. “This year, it’s a whole family. [The Giandomenico] family was born and raised in Walpole, and every single family member has their family in Walpole, as well … they’re all business owners, and they contribute to the community constantly. They don’t want to be recognized - nobody who gets the honor wants to be recognized. They have chosen two charities that some of the funds we raise today will go to - one of them is Blessed Sacrament, the other is the Walpole Ponds Committee.”
The Friends of St. Patrick get the party started at Finnegan’s Wake. Photos by Stephen Press
The family of the hour, the Giandomenicos, seemed keenly aware of just how unique the moment was.
“[Today] is going to be the biggest charitable event of the calendar. It’s something that started many years ago. It’s been a consistent contributor to charities. We’re very happy to add our family name - and our charities - to that list,” said Albie Giandomenico, reflecting on the day. “The entire family’s very happy to be here. Very honored and humbled by the award, and looking forward to a nice day.”
His brother, Fred, echoed his sentiments:
“What an honor it is to join a whole bunch of predecessors that have been picked for the award,” he said. “I think a lot of my father and mother, who just passed away; they’d be very proud of this.
“What an incredible institution - for lack of a better word - the Friends are for the town,” Giandomenico continued. “I don’t think there’s anything like it in town … The Friends embody Walpole itself in that there’s a wide range of people who belong to it - all the way from lawyers to tradesmen, entrepreneurs … it represents the mix of Walpole.”
His statement underscored yet another special aspect of this St. Patrick’s Day fete. For those in attendance, it was clear that the day not only highlighted the uniqueness of the Friends of St. Patrick and the Giandomenico family, but of Walpole itself.
“It’s a special place,” summed up Fred Giandomenico. “We’ve traveled the world … Walpole is kind of the center of the universe. To use an overused quote of Joe Morgan’s, ‘If you’re not living in Walpole, you’re just camping out.’”
Among the smiling faces, boisterous laughter, and warm handshakes between neighbors, it was difficult to argue against his point.
