Last year was our last time toasting Canada on the Viccari balcony. For many. many years, Ben and Anne Viccari combined birthday celebrations for Ben and Canada. The country, of course, was born on July 1st, Ben on July 2nd.
Ben was a huge Canada booster as well as a champion of multiculturalism. On Canada Day, he decked himself out in a red T shirt and white pants. He was born in England (as was Anne), but Ben was also fluent in his father’s tongue, Italian, and was very proud of that heritage, too.
Both Ben and Anne are gone for this year’s Canada Day, but I thought we should remember their annual birthday party one more time. Many Viccari friends and fans have been on that balcony on July 1st. Good times.