Christina Porcari is pictured by the bench that she placed and dedicated to Captain Matthew Porcari. Porcari was killed while responding to a mutual aid call on a house fire in Newark Valley in January of 2013. (Photo by Wendy Post)
On Friday, July 14, at approximately noon, friends, family, and firefighters from Owego, Campville and Vestal gathered with Christina Porcari to dedicate a bench on the Vestal Rail Trail that honors Captain Matthew Porcari.
Porcari, a volunteer captain with the Owego Fire Department, was killed in January of 2013 while responding to a call for mutual aid at a house fire in Newark Valley. He was 34.
The bench, bearing plaques that were donated by All Star Sports in Owego, was installed on Vestal’s walking trail last Friday morning. Friday also would have been their fifth wedding anniversary, said Christina Porcari, who purchased the bench to honor him.
Porcari further explained that she started the process to purchase a bench through the Town of Vestal in May and was told it would take two weeks. Frustrated that it was taking longer than anticipated, she knew there were no coincidences when she received the call that the bench would be ready last Friday – and on the exact date of what would have been their five-year anniversary.
A wreath is carried to the bench at Vestal’s Rail Trail that was dedicated to Captain Matthew Porcari last Friday. (Photo by Wendy Post)
“He was amazing,” said a tearful Porcari when friends and family gathered last Friday to dedicate the bench. “To have this here will mean a lot,” she added.
Friends and family that gathered last Friday spoke of Matthew Porcari’s dedication and contributions to his community. The bench, Christina added, is a perfect way to honor Matthew.
Located about one half of a mile from the west end of the Rail Trail in Vestal, the six-foot long bench, which is made of stone, now bears several plaques that serve as a remembrance. The plaques, according to Matthew Vaglica, owner of All Star Sports, are coated aluminum.
Vaglica knew Matthew for approximately 13 years, and described the bench as a great representation of who he was.
A wreath is placed near the bench at Vestal’s Rail Trail that was dedicated to Captain Matthew Porcari last Friday. (Photo by Wendy Post)
“He was a man of the community, he always wanted to help someone,” said Vaglica, adding, “It was a great honor to donate the plaques. They are a great representation of Matt.”
Last Friday, Christina and others placed a wreath at the bench; christening the memorial that will honor Matthew’s memory for years to come. With everyone that gathered standing nearby, Christina approached the bench after the wreath was placed and whispered, “Happy Anniversary” Matt, “Happy Anniversary.”
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