Golf tournament to honor Furia's memory, support Boston Children's Hospital

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A small group of Johnston residents have embarked on a huge mission that will have impact throughout New England and perhaps beyond.

The first-ever John A. Furia Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament will be played on Saturday, Aug. 27, at famed Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam, Conn. It will honor the memory of its namesake – a Vietnam veteran and local business owner – and raise money for the Cardiology Department at Boston Children’s Hospital.

“John was bigger than life and was always the first one to step forward if someone was in need,” said Steven M. Placella, an attorney and the event’s chairman. “He always went above and beyond anyone’s expectations.”

At one time, John and his wife owned and operated Ruthie’s Restaurant, where Pete Matteo’s Bar 101 is now located off Atwood Avenue.

“Unfortunately, John passed away earlier this year,” LaFazia said, recalling his “true friend” as a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, coach, and Navy veteran who did two 13-month tours with the Brown Water Sailors, a group that was constantly in danger on river boats in Vietnam.

Several years ago, John’s youngest granddaughter Olivia Furia needed surgery, and it was performed at the Boston Children’s Hospital Cardiac Unit. Although she’ll need further surgery at some point in her young life, she has fully recovered. While Olivia was in Boston, she received what the family called “fantastic and wonderful care.”

“The family was tremendously impressed and are in constant contact with the doctors and staff there,” Placella said. “Even though John’s health was failing in recent years before his passing, he said he wanted to do something special for that unit at Boston Children’s Hospital.”

So, Placella, Vin LaFazia, and John Graham put together a committee for the tournament.

“This tournament will mirror the JMCE (Johnston Memorial Cancer Events) golf event but in much, much larger form when it comes to the food,” said LaFazia, who is the driving force behind that highly successful fundraiser that has raised over $125,000 for the Hasbro Children’s Hospita. “We’re hoping this tourney will be unmatched as far as food is concerned.”

The entry fee is $120 per player and includes $10 of raffle tickets, 18 holes of golf with a cart, a souvenir bag, and dinner. Registration and lunch – which will feature the JMCE’s sausage and pepper sandwiches – is set for noon. Tee-off will be at 1 p.m., and the tournament will use the scramble format. Dinner will be served after the golf.

“We’re doing this in honor of John’s wishes and for the wonderful care Olivia received at Boston Children’s Hospital,” Placella said.

The committee is selling tee signs in memory of loved ones for $25 and tee sponsor signs for $60. People who’d like to help should call Placella at 401-255-3478 or email him at splacella@cox.net, or contact John Graham at 401 497-1027. Any and all golf reservations should be mailed to Linda LaFazia, 33 Killian Road, Johnston, RI 02919.

“Everyone connected with this tournament is hoping to make John’s dream come true,” Placella said. “He was a good and fiercely loyal friend to many of us. Even during his final days, John talked about holding a fundraiser in honor of Olivia – and for the purposes of enhancing the lives of other children and their families that go through such a traumatic time as Olivia did at Boston Children’s Hospital.” 1

INSEPARABLE:

Longtime friends Vin LaFazia, left, and the late John A. Furia Jr. both served in the Vietnam War and teamed up for many different benefit fundraisers through the years. Now, LaFazia and some of John’s family and friends are hoping to sell out the Aug. 27 golf tournament that bears Furia’s name. (Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

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LINKED:

While Fran Chatelle lines up his putt during the 2015 Johnston Memorial Cancer Events Golf Tournament, his playing partners look on.

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