Morristown cyclists do rolling memorial for one of their own

Riders on Vinnie Aguanno memorial ride. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Riders on Vinnie Aguanno memorial ride. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
1

 

THERE IN SPIRIT: The late Vincent Aguanno, seen for years around Morristown on his bike, was memorialized with a tribute ride. Photo courtesy of the Aguanno family.
THERE IN SPIRIT: The late Vincent Aguanno, seen for years around Morristown on his bike, was memorialized with a tribute ride. Photo courtesy of the Aguanno family.

 

Often, you learn more about someone at a wake or funeral than you do during the person’s lifetime.

And so it was with Vinnie Aguanno, who died last month. The 91-year-old bicyclist was memorialized on Saturday with a leisurely ride around Morristown.

Vinnie’s family turned out for the event, and we learned that “Poppi”…

  • Emigrated to the U.S. from Italy at age 4
  • Contracted malaria while serving in New Guinea during World War II
  • Was a barber in the Army
  • Retired from the Lyons veterans hospital, where he was a clerk.
  • Took really good care of his ailing wife, who predeceased him by a quarter-century.

Please click icon below for captions.

TALL IN THE SADDLE at Vinnie Aguanno memorial ride. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
TALL IN THE SADDLE at Vinnie Aguanno memorial ride. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Besides biking almost every day, Vinnie loved dancing. Saturday’s ride was set to some of his favorite dance tunes–Chicken Dance, YMCAThe Electric Slide — pumped through a portable boom box toted by Kendra Arnold, organizer of the event for Bike & Walk Morristown.

“This was a nice thing to do,” said Vinnie’s granddaughter, 27-year-old Cheryl Mumma, who followed her granddad’s advice to “keep smiling.”

 

Vinnie’s other words of wisdom: “Don’t spend your money. Save it for a rainy day!” recounted his daughter Lucia Mumma, who was joined by her husband, Greg, and her sister, Elena Case.

“My dad was up there in heaven, looking down on us today,” Lucia said.

“He was riding along with us all,” added Elena.

MORE ABOUT VINCENT AGUANNO

MEMORIAL RIDE: Vinnie Aguanno ride ends outside Drip Coffee on the Green. From left: cyclist Michele Miller; Vinnie's daughters, Elena Case and Lucia Mumma; Morristown First Lady Mary Dougherty, and Kendra Arnold of Bike & Walk Morristown. Back row: Carolle Huber of Grow It Green Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
MEMORIAL RIDE: Vinnie Aguanno ride ends outside Drip Coffee on the Green. From left: cyclist Michele Miller; Vinnie’s daughters, Elena Case and Lucia Mumma; Morristown First Lady Mary Dougherty, and Kendra Arnold of Bike & Walk Morristown. Back row: Carolle Huber of Grow It Green Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Youngest cyclist at the Vinnie Aguanno memorial ride. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Youngest cyclist at the Vinnie Aguanno memorial ride. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

 

 

1 COMMENT

  1. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute for a very special, kind, happy person.
    I am so glad I got to meet him many years ago.
    Love Karen Trujillo & family

LEAVE A REPLY