A Citation for Benny

Selectmen honor Benedetto Corviello, the retired Stop & Shop employee who says “hello” to everyone he sees

By Mark E. Vogler

In his 30 years working at Stop & Shop, Benedetto “Benny” Corviello made a name for himself, saying “hello” to every customer he met. But Benny, who retired from the Main Street grocery store in late May, has spread many more years of good will through Saugus with the friendly greetings he expressed to thousands of people during the more than eight decades that he’s been living on Bristow Street in the eastern part of town.

“In his younger days, he would take daily walks to Cliftondale Square, saying “hello” to everyone he saw,” his niece Jonna Gillis said this week.

“He’s always cheery and greets everyone,” she said of the native Saugonian who celebrated his 85th birthday on July 5.

Benny’s friendly demeanor made a huge impression on Selectman Anthony Cogliano, who remembers growing up in the Bristow Street area and the familiar childhood memory of Benny walking in the neighborhood. “One thing I remember about Benny, he said ‘Hi’ to everybody, and he still does,” Cogliano recalled at Tuesday night’s (July 16) Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

After learning that Benny had retired in the spring from Stop & Shop, Cogliano decided the timing was right to honor him with a commendation. It was unanimous. Benny was the guest of honor at Tuesday night’s meeting, where he received a citation signed by all five selectmen.

“To all persons whom these presents shall come. Be it known that the Town of Saugus sends its deepest appreciation to Benedetto (Benny) Corviello,” the citation read. “Wishing you a wonderful retirement after 30 years of dedicated service and good will to the Saugus community.”

Selectmen took turns expressing their appreciation to Benny and how he contributed to the town in his own way. Relatives of Benny – his sister, Toni Gillis, and his nieces, Leah Gillis and Jonna Gillis – joined him for the small ceremony.

Selectman Corinne Riley, a former Stop & Shop co-worker of Benny’s many years ago, recalled how Benny “called every woman ‘sweetheart’ when he was taking the shopping carts in. “He was a person that everyone knew,” Riley said. She also recalled him being a faithful member of St. Margaret’s Church in Saugus, where, according to family members, he rarely missed a service. Riley also said it was “great” to see a person dedicate so much of his life to one company as long as Benny did at Stop & Shop.

Selectman Michael Serino, who was Benny’s next-door neighbor, recalled how his late mother would go to Stop & Shop every day and would come home telling fond stories about Benny.

Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeff Cicolini, who along with Cogliano and Serino got to know Benny during their days of growing up in the Bristow Street area, told Benny that his retirement was “well deserved.” “In all the years I’ve known you, I do want to say how special you were to my family,” Cicolini said.

“Everybody knows you and everybody appreciates all you did,” he said.

Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta thanked Benny “for everything you’ve done for Saugus.”

“You are beloved within town,” Panetta said.