Frank Forastiere, center, owner of the Southwick-Forastiere Funeral Home, presents a 50-inch high definition flat screen television to Cindy Sullivan, third from right, director of the Southwick Council On Aging, during a brief ceremony at the Southwick Council On Aging yesterday. Joining in the ceremony are Karl Stinehart, second from left, chief administrative officer for the Town of Southwick, and Southwick Council On Aging Board of Directors, Joan Plancon, left, Roy Benson, second from right, and Harriet Fischer, right. The new television, background, was mounted in the center’s activity room. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Southwick seniors can now watch television on a 50-inch screen thanks to Forastiere Funeral Home.
Council On Aging Director Cindy Sullivan thanked Frank Forastiere, owner of the funeral home, as well as Forastiere employee and COA President-elect Roy Benson for the donation.
“I can’t thank you enough. This was very generous,” said Sullivan. “All we had to do was ask!”
Town Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said Forastiere is a “good community partner.”
“You have been very helpful in many areas of town government,” he said.
Forastiere said he was happy to help.
“We built the home here in 1984 and the years have flown by,” he said. “Roy has been with us 23 years – we call him ‘Mr. Southwick’ – and it’s great to be a part of the community.”
Forastiere said his mother is 90 years old and he spends a lot of time with seniors and is a senior himself, so he was thrilled to be able to provide this for the Southwick COA.
Sullivan said the new TV is hooked up to a DVD player and a Wii, which has become a very popular pastime at the COA.
“This is another way to get exercise especially in the winter,” said Sullivan, “and it’s really easy to use.”
Steinhardt said COA seniors can often be found brushing up on their tennis and golf skills – and even bowling – on the Wii.
The old TV was moved into the dining area so that regular visitors could enjoy their coffee and breakfast while watching the news.
“People can also play pool while they watch TV now,” added Sullivan.
Forestiere’s grandfather started the business in 1905. It was passed on to his father, and now he, his brother, sister and daughter run the business. They own four funeral homes in Southwick, East Longmeadow, Agawam and Springfield.
Southwick resident Rachel Fry approached Forestiere during the unveiling of the television and told him that she appreciated the bereavement support groups run by the home. She said it is a much-needed service and told him that a love connection was made in one of the groups between one of her relatives and a fellow member of the group.
Forastiere Funeral Homes started bereavement support groups before they were common. The original groups were run by Frank’s wife Lila.
“This was part of the commitment we made to the community long ago – to be there for them after the service,” said Forastiere.
That commitment also includes supporting the community through donations such as the COA television.
