William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News
THE ORGANIZERS OF THE BREAKFAST CLUB: In 2006, Charlie Pitzo had an idea about getting together once a month with his friends for breakfast at a local restaurant in Gloucester City. The 16 gentlemen above were invited to the first meeting held at the former Jim’s Pizzeria Restaurant, Broadway and Mercer Streets, Gloucester City, to discuss the idea. Charlie’s idea took off, and over the next couple of years, the group grew. At one meeting, they had over 40 people in attendance.
First row: from left to right, Skip Grandizio, Charlie Tourtual, Jack Perscheitti, Howard “Butch” Shaffer, Charlie Pitzo, George Cleary Jr.
Second row: Lonnie Letgus, Ron Raube, Harry Walker, Sam Chew, Harry Blymer.
Back row: Bill Cleary Sr., Ron Raube, Joe Miller, Joe “JukeBox” DiGiacomo, Al DiGiacomo, Stu Rechard.
All of the men were born and raised in either Gloucester City or Brooklawn. The majority graduated from Gloucester High and the others from Gloucester Catholic.
Out of those 16 men, we know for sure that the following have moved on to Gabriel’s Cafe in the sky. They include: Grandizio, Tourtual, Pitzo, George Cleary, Raube, Miller, Walker, Chew, Blymer, Joe and Al DiGiacomo.
Even though Vincie Boy had passed some time ago we could still feel his spirit walking among us that day.