[CR]Re: vito

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

From: <ABikie@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2003 15:58:21 EDT
To: coke@optonline.net
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: vito

In a message dated 4/8/03 3:39:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, coke@optonline.net writes:
>
>
> Vito Perucci, a long time icon of cycling in New York, has passed away this
> morning at the age of 91, due to natural causes. Mr. Perucci was known for
> his tremendous generosity to the sport of cycling, and introduced both
> children and adults to the sport of bicycle racing.
>
> Vito was the owner of a barber shop on Post Avenue in Westbury, NY. In the
> rear of Vito's shop was an area plush with bicycle frames, wheels, and
> spare parts. Whenever a customer inquired about the bicycle parts, Vito
> would explain to them that they were meant for bicycle racing and he then
> proceeded to persuade the customer to get involved in the sport. Lending
> out some of the many bikes and spare parts that Vito had, was sometimes all
> the incentive young kids needed, as they would be hooked on cycling for the
> rest of their lives.
>
> Vito was the founder as well as President of "The Nassau Wheelmen". He was
> also the race promoter for many races, including the former Old Westbury
> College races.
>
> Vito will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, both directly and
> indirectly. Many of us would not be lucky enough to be involved in this
> great sport if it were not for his remarkable generosity. On behalf of
> everybody that knew Vito, I say Thank You Very Much.
>
> The wake for Vito will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 5th &6th, at
> the Williams Funeral Home in Heampstead, NY, on 181 Greenwich Avenue.
>

David Sorry to hear that IA local legend here ius Shannon Ferguson, of Arlington, Va. Shannon sold me the Paramount P-14 I have campaigned on Friday nights and Tuesday nights at Trexlertown from 1976 til when I was there last a few years ago. Shannon imntroduced me top Mrs' Danny Perucci when Danny passed away 20 years ago and I was able to pick up a few low-end trinkets from Dan's 'Danny's Bike Shop' - more of a hobby basement operation, like Vito did with the kids on 'the Island.

About twelve years ago I visited the Barber and his loving wife in their home in LI to take some low end trinkets off their hands, some older rusting steel cabiinets with repair parts for average bikes. I thought there would be many pro type parts but the locals had already taken what was of greater value. I filled the satation wagon and had a nice visit with them and made the rounds to do more visiting in NY.

I will miss him- he did a lot for the kids- and has been an inspiration to those among us who are into doing that sort of thing for our own future generations rather than engaging in excessive self-indulgence.

Larry Black

Mt Airy, Md.