Community Heralds Bill Guiducci

File Photo

Friends and family turned out recently to herald Bill Guiducci, a pillar of the Mastic Beach community who’s been behind many service organizations and efforts to help the neighborhood. The local banker, 79, was feted at St. Jude’s Church which he’s been a big part of for more than a quarter century.

Taking accolades alongside his wife, Betty, the acknowledged secret behind his success, Guiducci accepted an award from the Knights of Columbus St. Judes Council for his assistance with their reading program. “Bill is always looking out for us,” said the council's financial secretary, Jack Monti, of Mastic. “He sells the most tickets to our events and has touched so many. We appreciate all of the love you have given us and we want to share ours back to you,” he told the honoree.

“We’ve all taken some fatherly advice from Bill. ‘Don’t be a man of success’, he would tell us. ‘Be a man of value,’” said Ken Gillio, a K of C Grand Knight. “We know that everything he says is from the heart.”

Originally from the Bronx, Bill worked for Union Savings and other local banks throughout his career, always staying in touch with his community. “What hasn’t he been involved with?” his wife Betty asked. Aside from the K of C and the church, Bill has been with the Rotary and has been a big help to the Grace Lutheran Church. He’s famous for his role in the St. Jude’s highly-successful annual golf outing.

“He has his fingerprints on everything that’s good in the Tri-Hamlet Area,” said Wendy Gross, a trustee with the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library. “Bill is our guiding light, definitely one of our favorite people in the world; he makes you feel so great. He’s definitely the pillar of our community, he’s the guy you can trust.”

“He always has a good word to say about everything,” said St. Jude’s Pastor, Father John Ryan. “He has great wisdom and sets himself apart by his acts of charity. He is someone you can always rely on.”

Among those celebrating the community stalwart were the family of Bill Doyle, who is an aide to Senator Alexis Weik; St. Jude’s original pastor, Father Mirro; Deacon John Gagliaridi; Father Leoni; future St. Jude’s Council Grand Knight Jack McNeal; Vincent Nasta; Family Ministry President Maureen Stumpp and members Lori Shourot and Maritza Rosado; and Mike Leonardo and spouse, among dozens of other well-wishers.

Betty and Bill are headed to a much-needed respite, embarking on a trip to the Italy Peninsula with stops in Spain, Monaco, Tuscany, Rome and Naples.