Even after a half century of marriage, Vincent Anthony Palumbo will tell you: “I married an angel.”
The angel is Eleanor June Yessian Palumbo, who the former Simmonsville Garage owner married back on May 26, 1968 and as he declared time and again Saturday evening: “We’re still very much in love.”
That fact became crystal clear Saturday night during what everyone inside the decorated Kelly-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812 (Ralph’s Kitchen) called “A 50th Anniversary celebration that like the love-filled lives of Vinny and Elly will leave an ever-lasting impression on the 160-plus attendees.
For the 50th Anniversary, or a Half Century as some called the beautiful bash, was very much like the Palumbos actual wedding – the first ever Sunday afternoon ceremony in the history of St. Rocco’s Roman Catholic Church and their courtship.
Vinny and Elly dated for seven years before their were married and during those years many old-time qualities perhaps surfaced like never before for the son of an Italian parents who fell in love with an Armenian girl and would wait as long as necessary to marry “My little angel.”
Back in those days, as Vinny and Elly explained: “You needed permission from the girls’ father to marry his daughter.”
Even after Palumbo proposed and he gave her a diamond ring, things were tense as Elly said: “I was afraid to tell my father I wanted to get married and I had a diamond ring … even before Vinny met him.”
But leave it to Elly’s grandmother, who had a family conference of sorts with the bride-to-be and her mother, and finally Palumbo was invited to supper at the Yessian’s household and it was onward and upward to the wedding.
As Elly pointed out: “I thought he would leave me … after all, he waited and waited and waited to meet my father and ask his permission to marry me … even on the morning of our wedding he called me and I said what’s this, you’re noting coming now!”
Palumbo recalled: “I just called Elly to say how much I love her and I’m honored that we’re getting married today.”
Saturday, that love was perhaps stronger than ever – even more than when Palumbo opened his garage at age 18 after attending Mount Pleasant High School in Providence where Johnston kids used to go to school – during the couple’s “Fantastic Fiftieth” that was filled with many exciting moments and read like a Who’s Who in Rhode Island music.
The night’s headliner was Reminisce, New England’s premiere oldies and doo wop band, who helped Vinny and Elly and their guests relive the days of yesteryear with a variety of well-known songs but when lead singer JoAnn Dumas began singing “God Bless America” there wasn’t a dry eye inside the VFW Post on Plainfield Pike.
Reminisce sang the patriotic song as a special salute to Vinny and Elly, who have for years been steeped in helping raise money for various veterans organizations, most notably the Veterans Administration Hospital in Providence.
Even the centerpieces, which were done by another music icon singer Donna Gonsalves, featured most hydrangeas, roses, snap dragons, daisys and a mini American flag had a special patriotic look.
The guest list also included Steve Querini, a Johnstonian who is well known for his Elvis impressions, who heaped praise upon the Reminisce that includes Ronnie Iacobucci, Frank Gargiulo, Jack Mento, Barry Kessler, Al Lancellotti and Philip Muller.
The guest list even included Johnston’s own Gaudagno brothers – Sal, Tony and Tom – who make up the famed Beach Boys Tribute Band named The Driftwoods.
“This was without question a party for the record books,” said Chris Giardina, one of Vinny and Elly’s long-time friends who was on hand with his wonderful wife Pat. “Vinny has always done things first class; even when he used to fix cars.”
From the time Palumbo drove his “angel” from the couple’s homestead on Simmonsville Avenue in his shiny black vintage 1950 Cadillac Model 62 until the well-wishes, hugs and embraces concluded, Vinny and Elly enjoyed a party extraordinaire that people like Jack Martone – another music man who like many people danced the night way – said “will be remembered as The Party of Parties in Johnston!”
It was classic celebration that featured a cutout of the couple’s wedding day done by Elly’s cousin Michele Kolligian, there were four cakes – one with a picture of their engagement, wedding and trip to Graceland because Vinny is a huge Elvis fan.
The entire event was arranged by Lisa D’Ambra, who left no stone unturned. She even had individual gold organza favor bags with Jordan almonds as a remembrance of the night.
D’Ambra, Elly said, “wouldn’t let me do anything. She said she wanted us to enjoy the moment and she did it all for tonight.”
Known for her outstanding organizational skills, D’Ambra even arranged for the Palumbo’s entire wedding party – replete with best man Jerry Couillard and his wife Elaine who was Ell’s maid of honor to be on hand.
Many people, in fact, were tremendously impressed with the entire evening. That’s because D’Ambra wanted Vinny and Elly to relive their glorious day back on May 26, 1968 and even went as far as including Richard J. DelFino Jr., who was age 12 back then and served as the alter boy at the couple’s wedding.
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