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06/24/2015 08:00 AMEast Haven’s Lucy Gallicchio, 90, celebrated a landmark birthday this year, not only because of her age, but also because of all the excitement surrounding this memorable date.
Lucy’s birthday excitement included three different birthday parties as well as a special visit by Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., who stopped by to present a proclamation declaring May 28th “Lucy Gallicchio Day.”
Since then Lucy has officially declared this year’s party “the best birthday that she ever remembered.”
Lucy’s three recent birthday parties included a celebration with the ladies of Saint Clare’s Church along with the Bible study group and had about 25 folks arriving to celebrate.
Lucy also had a small party with family, friends, and some neighbors—and she isn’t done yet, with one last 90th birthday blast planned for the evening of the East Haven fireworks, on Saturday, June 27.
Yes, Lucy knows a little about celebrating, with a little help from her daughter Sandra. She currently lives in her daughter’s home with her son-in-law and grandson.
As life would have it, not all 90 years have been a reason to celebrate.
Lucy was the loving wife to the late Gerald Gallicchio for 42 years. Her husband passed away shortly after they both retired.
“[We were] getting ready to do some traveling. The kids were all big by then, it would have been wonderful,” she says.
Their dream didn’t make it to fruition, but Lucy still enjoys her time in East Haven and seeing all the changes over the years.
Born in New Haven on May 28, 1925, Lucy worked at the New Haven Clock Company for eight years and then spent 18 years at Nationwide Insurance while raising her family.
Needing to get back to work after the death of her husband, Lucy spent 11 years working at Ames Department Stores in different capacities.
A devout Catholic, Lucy was a member of Our Lady of Pompeii Parish for 43 years and Saint Clare’s Parish for the past 16 years.
Including membership and participation in both ladies guilds, that’s an impressive 59 years Lucy has spent with the ladies guild in total, and she’s loved it all.
Lucy has done everything from helping with the bake sales, making pizzas for the carnivals, working on the phone squad informing churchgoers of events, and more.
She’s passed the love of the church on to her daughter Sandra, who is also heavily involved in the church.
Lucy also took up crocheting and often involved herself in community efforts to donate afghans and lap throws for fundraising. Lucy has crocheted many scarves to the homeless or others in need, as well as lap throws for the sick or ill through the Saint Clare’s Church.
Lucy also says she “cut out about 300 baptism bibs,” for the church.
Having lived in East Haven for 60 years, Lucy has three children, Gerald Gallicchio of Wallingford, Joanne Reilly of North Branford, and Sandra Enders. She also has four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and two step-grandchildren.
Her 11-year-old grandson Adam lives with Lucy and attends the East Haven Academy. Lucy shares her favorite time of day: “Every afternoon when he comes home from school.”
After 90 years—more than 60 in East Haven—Lucy shares her secret to longevity: “You just have to go with it,” she says, and smiles.
To nominate a Person of the Week, contact Jaki Lauper at j.lauper@shorepublishing.com.