Wednesday, January 13, 2010

My Family in Italia
















My father believed there were no Atturio's left in Italia, Christine started all this. An email from my daughter about a message she recieved from Sicily started me on my journey to connect with the Atturio Famiglia.
I have seen and spoken with many of our family from Milano tu Sicilia. I will visit them this year. They call me Zio John from America.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Astronaut Captain Steve Bowen U.S.N.
















We are all so proud of Steve's accomplishments at NASA and the recent successful launch of the Space Shuttle STS-126 with Steve aboard as the flight Engineer.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

YouTube - Atturio Tree Dedication


Jenna Anne Atturio
This is for you Bug
From Mommy and Daddy
By Tessa Fitzgerald
Tue May 20, 2008, 12:47 PM EDT
Hanover - On a sunny spring afternoon, a crowd gathered on the B. Everett Hall Field to remember Jenna Atturio.
A pink, flowering Dogwood tree, planted in front of the bandstand at the Hanover field, has been dedicated in memory of Jenna. Alongside, a plaque describes the area as “Jenna’s field of dreams.”
On Saturday, that plaque was surrounded by a bouquet of purple flowers and a single pink rose.
Guests on hand for the ceremony were invited to fill out a tiny card with a message they’d like to send to a loved one who has passed away. The tags were tied to a colorful array of balloons, and then released by the crowd following the ceremony’s tearful dedication.
A misty eyed crowd watched as their messages were lifted by the wind and carried away through the air.
Jenna Atturio, a young girl from Hanover, passed away in December of 2005 from Liver Disease during a transplant attempt. Jenna was the daughter of John and Nancy Atturio and the sister of Christine, Ashley, Gabrielle. She was just 20 years old when she died. This past Saturday (May 17), Jenna’s family and friends and members of the South Shore community who have also lost young loved ones, came out to show their support to the Atturio family during a tree dedication in Jenna’s memory.
In an address to those in attendance, John Atturio thanked everyone for coming.
“This tree is for all of us in the town of Hanover, and is dedicated to our daughter Jenna Anne Atturio’s life,” he said. Atturio also recognized others in town and remembered other local young people who’ve passed away too soon including Torri Wightman, Laura Linehan, Richard Hegerich, Kelsey Prinsen, Erin Roberts, Steve Mathaney, Jill Cairo and Michael Walorz.
Hanover selectman Al Rugman presented the Atturio family with a plaque and proclaimed that the area, located next to the Sylvester Elementary School, would be preserved in Jenna’s memory. Rugman said his daughter, Britney, knew Jenna and was always giving him updates on her. After the ceremony, Rugman said it was nice to see the support the family has received from the community.
A friend of the Atturio family, State Rep. Robert Nyman, D-Hanover, was moved close to tears as he spoke about Jenna.
“I think the outpouring from the community was very impressive,” Nyman said following the dedication. “Especially from members of the community that have had their own personal losses.” He said the Atturios are just wonderful people.
“They have taken their grief and turned it into a beautiful memorial for their daughter,” Nyman said. John Atturio said he was happy with how the dedication went. “This area will be maintained in Jenna’s memory forever now,” he said. Jenna, the second of John and Nancy’s five daughters, was diagnosed with Liver Disease shortly after she was born. She underwent surgery as an infant and had her first transplant at 15 months. By the time she was in her late teens, it was determined she would need another transplant. By the time a match had been found for her, it was too late. She needed many organs.
Her parents described Jenna as a happy, energetic child who loved sports and in particular, soccer. She was loyal to her friends and popular not only with students in her own grade, but also with those who were younger than her. During high school, she worked hard to catch up if she missed classes and worked whenever she could. She was always concerned about the well-being of her family and never complained about her illness.
Gerry Dempsey of Dempsey landscaping in Plymouth donated the tree that was dedicated to Jenna. With the help of the Hanover Department of Public Works, in particular Kurt McLean, the tree was planted last year. John and Nancy Atturio have said that they are very thankful for the support the Hanover community, friends and family have shown them.
Other local parents who have lost a child due to illness or tragedy, were also on hand for Saturday’s ceremony.
Lucy Wightman, the mother of Torri Wightman who lost her life in a car accident in May of 2006, videotaped the dedication. “I thought it was wonderful,” she said. “I hope it raises people’s awareness level just a notch.”
Wightman met the Atturios at Hanover Central Cemetery the day Torri was buried. Torri’s final resting place is located on an area known as “the hill,” and not far from Jenna’s grave.
Wightman and the Atturios and other families met through tragedy and out of the meetings, and hellos they’ve exchanged over the years, have found support and understanding.
“We’ve all gotten to know each other and become close and supportive,” Wightman said.
Megan Shaughnessy and Allyson Toner, who attended the dedication, both went to school with Jenna, who graduated from Hanover High in 2005. The girls grew up together and played on some of the same soccer teams.
“She just couldn’t help but smile,” Shaughnessy said of Jenna.
“She was always so happy and nice to everyone,” Toner added.
Both of the girls said they thought the dedication was beautiful.
“It was really sweet,” Shaughnessy said. “She would have loved it.”
Reporter Tessa Fitzgerald can be reached at mailto:tfitzger@cnc.com

Monday, May 19, 2008

Dedication a heart warming event for all of us


The Tree dedication was a attended by over 80 people. We had a short time to remember Jenna and others who are with her in heaven. I was proud to do this for not only my family but for all of us. I hope you enjoyed it too. Jenna did she told me at church on Sunday evening during Torri Wightman's Memorial Mass at St. Mary's. Thank you all and I will follow up with more from the Hanover Mariner.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Jenna Atturio Tree Dedication




Please take sometime to read this beautiful article which covers the front page of our local newspaper The Hanover Mariner.




Friday, April 18, 2008

Spring 2008 Tree Dedication to Honor the Memory of Jenna A. Atturio






On May 17, 2008 Saturday at 1:00pm we will have a short dedication ceremony to dedicate the beautiful tree planted and donated by GW Dempsey Jr. Landscaping for our daughter Jenna. We know that this will be appreciated and have meaning of her life every time we see this tree located next to the bandstand in Hanover. This was one of her favorite places to go and meet friends and play soccer.
With the help of the Hanover DPW we had a granite plaque set at the base of the tree in her name. We will release Balloons for Jenna and two other young ladies who share a place in Heaven with her, Laura Linehan who died on April 4, 2008 before her second Liver transplant began. They were great friends here on earth spending time together at Children's Hospital, Mass General Hospital and together at our home swimming in our pool. They have another friend in heaven Torri Wightman who died at the young age of sixteen in a automobile crash almost two years ago. Her mother Lucy is one of our support and fellow club members, "that is the club which no one wants to join" consisting of parents who have lost a child.
We would like to get the word out to all for the need of organ donations, Jenna Ann Atturio Scholarship Fund which we award to a Hanover High school senior each year. You can donate to her fund at The Rockland Trust Bank, see information below.

Donations can be sent to:
c/o Jenna Ann Atturio Scholarship Fund
The Rockland Trust Bank
272 Columbia Road Rt. 53
Hanover, MA 02339

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Laura Linehan Jenna's Friend Has Lost her battle with Liver Disease

Our hearts are broken today. Laura's Mom called from Florida Saturday at 9:00am 04/05/08, Laura is now in heaven with her best friend Jenna. May Jesus hold them together. She died during her second Liver transplant in Florida. This girl was beautiful full of life and like Jenna just loved being a girl.