Watertown Recreation
The families of David Timperio and Kenny Vincent unveil the bench dedicated to the former Watertown Summer Basketball League players who passed away unexpectedly.
Last Thursday Aug. 4, on a beautiful summer night at Saltonstall Park in Watertown, approximately 200 current and former members of the Watertown Recreation Summer Basketball League, family and friends came to honor the memory of two recently deceased members of our league through the dedication of a granite bench named in their memory, the Recreation Department announced.
David Timperio and Kenny Vincent grew up in Watertown, were long time members of the Watertown Men’s Summer Basketball League, both passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Kenny and Dave were great family men, active in their community, well respected and well liked. Each made their mark in the Watertown Men’s Summer League for an extended time period, Kenny for the Finnegan Club and Dave for the Wire.
During the formal presentation, current Recreation Director Peter Centola, also look to the time to capture the unique and special community of this prestigious basketball league, one of the finest and longest running outdoor basketball leagues in New England, and to recognize some key contributors over the leagues close to 50 years of existence.
In his opening remarks, Centola recognized for Recreation Director of 36 years, Thomas Sullivan and Edmund Griffin, long time Commissioner of the league. Special remembrances of those names on the scoreboard; Mr. Nick Papas, Mr. and Mrs. Philip and Anna Centola, Bill O’Brien and Little Raffi Boyadjian. Centola also introduced Lisa Jerahian and family, as they sat on Jay’s granite bench which was dedicated to him a couple of years ago after his passing.
Special acknowledgement awards were also distributed. Emilio Coppola, Owner of Watertown Landscaping received an award for the design, purchase and installation of this bench area. It is beautiful, functional and has created a lasting memory of lives well lived.
The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the granite bench by their families. Immediately preceding the unveiling, Paul Kelly and Bill Lederman, lifetime friends of Kenny and Dave spoke passionately about their friend.
It was now time for the immediate family to stand behind their loved ones bench and pull back the black cloth that had been covering the granite bench and the names of Dave Timperio and Kenny Vincent. Although bitter sweet, Dave and Kenny’s family seemed comforted with the realization they will always be remembered and never forgotten by our Watertown Community and specifically the Watertown Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.
Additional pictures and a video of the ceremony are posted on the Watertown Recreation Facebook Page
A GoFundMe Page has been set up to finance the purchase and installation of a granite bench, additional pavers and plantings they were complete by Watertown Landscaping.
The remaining monies will be split evenly between the Vincent and Timperio family for their use as they deem appropriate.
For those that might be interested the address is www.gofundme.com/timperiovincent. As of Sunday, Aug. 7 just over $10,000 has been raised.
Donations will be accepted through August and will end on Aug. 31, 2016.