Recently retired Longmeadow Public Schools employee Anthony “Tony” Granaudo stands with members of his family, state Sen. Jake Oliveira, state Reps. Angelo Puppolo Jr. and Brian Ashe, Select Board member Dan Zwirko and Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea.
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
LONGMEADOW — It is not every day that state legislators praise and celebrate someone for doing their job. Then again, most people do not spend 50 years working for the same school department.
Anthony “Tony” Granaudo was honored with a citation from the state House of Representatives on Feb. 4 and will receive a similar honor from the state Senate, for a half-century of service to Longmeadow Public Schools. State Sen. Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow) and state Reps. Angelo Puppolo Jr. (D-Wilbraham) and Brian Ashe (D-Longmeadow) congratulated the 95-year-old, who retired this year.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Granaudo left his native Italy for Argentina in the 1950s, before moving to the United States in 1971. Four years later, he began working for Longmeadow Public Schools. Granaudo started his career with the School Department as a custodian. Most recently, he served as the intra-school mail delivery person. As a tribute, his recognition by the legislators took place on National Mail Carrier Day.
Speaking to Granaudo, Oliveira said, “Your dedication to the students, it’s remarkable how much you give back.” He also commented that Granaudo, who kept the small crowd of people laughing, had “an amazing sense of humor.” He said, “It’s an honor to call you a constituent.”
Ashe also lauded Granaudo. He told him, “Your joy — you can tell you really, really care about working in Longmeadow. Of course, like you said, it’s not work if you love it.”
Puppolo congratulated Granaudo, saying, “Indeed, it’s an honor to recognize you.” He said 50 years with one employer is uncommon. He wished Granaudo “future good fortune.”
Granaudo said he had worked under eight superintendents. Longmeadow’s current superintendent, M. Martin O’Shea, joked that he had hoped Granaudo would stay on until O’Shea retired, so he could take over as the mail delivery person.
A testament to the generations of students Granaudo impacted over his time at Longmeadow Public Schools, Select Board member Dan Zwirko reminisced with him about being custodian at Center School when Zwirko was a student there. Even a passerby who saw the retiree receiving the accolades commented, “We’re going to miss seeing his smile every day.”
Asked why he waited until age 95 to retire, Granaudo said, “I love it. All these kids, I’m like a grandpa to them. I have fun.” He added, “I’m going to miss all my friends.”
