Candice Fehrman has never met Orlando Ricci, Johnston’s popular Mr. Centenarian.
However, Fehrman – and her colleagues at New York-based Rizzoli International Publishing Inc. – told the Sun Rise late last week that “we think Orlando would make such an incredible addition to our project.”
Rizzoli International is currently working on a large-format book with photographer Paul Mobley about centenarians across America, and wants to include Ricci.
And that, as Johnston Senior Center Executive Director Tony Zompa said after learning about Ricci’s inclusion, “is absolutely fantastic.”
“We are all thrilled and excited for Orlando,” Zompa said. “What an honor; a famous New York company featuring our own Orlando in a national book. That’s great!”
Just how did Rizzoli International learn about Ricci’s story?
Fehrman, who is a book editor at Rizzoli, and other people at the well-known New York firm began a project of researching some of the most unique centenarians across the country.
“I recently discovered a link to [a Sun Rise] story about Orlando Ricci and thought, what a fascinating man,” Fehrman related. She also asked for Ricci’s contact information and noted that Rizzoli photographer Paul Mobley will be in Rhode Island next month and hopes to include the Johnston resident in his work.
Fehrman has been in contact with Ricci’s son Dennis, who lives in East Greenwich and works in the insurance industry, about working out the details for an upcoming interview and photo shoot.
To which Dennis Ricci offered: “That’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful.”
Meanwhile, Orlando Ricci – who learned of Rizzoli’s interest Monday – was his usual quiet self, yet wore a wide smile while walking into the center to meet his long-time lunch buddies.
“That’s nice, real nice,” he said. “Thank you!”
“I know a perfect place for the book signing and what an exciting event that will be,” Zompa said.
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