EDISON, N.J. (1010 WINS) — An Edison Stop & Shop store held an extra-special birthday bash for a World War II veteran and former bagger who turned 100 years old.
Bartholomeo "Benny" Ficeto, or “Benny the Bagger”, served in the Army Air Force as a gunner on a B-25 Mitchell bomber flying in Northern Africa and Italy and has had other roles throughout his life.
He began working for the grocery store chain 12 years ago in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and transferred to the Edison location about four years ago.
However, COVID-19 forced "Benny" — who "always refuses to take a break" — to stop working.
Employees, store executives, local customers, family and his niece — also a store employee — joined Ficeto to celebrate his life Monday.
"Benny" was greeted by his former employees wearing “Happy Birthday Benny” masks, and a singing trio sang "Happy Birthday" as well as other classics for him.
As a lasting legacy and a big thank you for his contributions, the store unveiled a dedicated veteran parking space in his honor — which "Benny" cut the ribbon for.
"We thank you for your service and we hope when customers and associates see this sign, they also think of you as an inspiration,” said Stop & Shop representative Mandy Koski.
Daniel Reynolds, Fieto's grand-nephew who also lives with him, said the experience was very exciting for him because the pandemic made it hard for him to "get out."
"That’s what I think he misses most is interacting and seeing people everyday, like he would when he'd come and work at Stop & Shop," he said.