‘PAPA JOE'S CORNER'’

It was the perfect day for a birthday party.

Screams of delight carried throughout the blocked-off street in front of St. Mary’s School in Waterford. Clusters of students tossed footballs while others played tag and jumped rope. At the top of the street, gold and blue balloons swayed in the wind, and taped inside the school’s windows hung huge banners painted with a message in dark blue: “Happy Birthday Papa Joe!”

Joe Avarello, or “Papa Joe’’ as he is more affectionately known, celebrated his 90th birthday on Wednesday, March 11, outside of St. Mary’s School, where he has been working as a school crossing guard for almost 30 years.

Parents, teachers, students — both past and present — community members and state politicians all gathered together to celebrate his milestone, and to reveal “Papa Joe’s Corner,” a newly erected sign on the corner of Sixth and Division streets, marking the crosswalk where Avarello helps students.

“(I’ve) been here for almost 28 years, and it’s a pleasure,” said Avarello. “The kids make me young.”

Matthew Rucinski, principal at St. Mary’s, started planning the special day at the start of the school year: “He’s been here for almost 30 years, so he’s helped thousands of St. Mary’s students, and past and present St. Mary’s students really look up to Papa Joe.”

Attending the ceremony included Father David Kelley, pastor at St. Mary’s Church, Assemblyman John T. McDonald III and Rensselaer County legislator Dan Casale, who is also director of Constituent Services for Senator Daphne Jordan.

Two of Casale’s children currently attend St. Mary’s school, and he noted in his speech “how relieved I was every single morning that I had to bring Patrick or Lea or pick them up, and had Papa Joe stand next to them and make sure those kids get safely across the street.”

“I think about him all the time,” he added. “He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever known and will ever know.”

“His mark on this community is probably greater than anyone else here today,” said Jack Lawlor, Waterford Town Supervisor. “Whether it was 95 degrees or 15 degrees, you know that Papa Joe was going to be here, and you know that your children were safe while he was on duty.” 

Lawlor added that Avarello would treat every child as if they were his own. It was not the first time this sentiment was mentioned in speeches, and every time Avarello smiled and nodded in agreement. A silent confirmation of the statement.

Before moving to Waterford, Avarello was born and raised in Brooklyn where he worked as a longshoreman before being drafted into the Army. In 1959, Avarello and his wife, Rita, moved with their three children to Waterford where his passion for tugboats began. He started as an oiler for Diesel Vessel Operators, working his way through different roles such as deckhand and then mate. After retiring, Avarello was approached about filling a crossing-guard position at St. Mary’s. “My wife said go for it,” he said. “And 28 years, later I’m still here.”

Now, he’s not only a staple of the school but is the town’s defacto “grandfather,” who will make sure that anyone near his corner is kept safe.
“When you have 6-year-olds excited, jumping off the bus, the one person you knew that was going to bring order to that situation was Papa Joe,” Lawlor said. “And if you either had the pleasure or the misfortune of being down here at that time, and if Joe thought you were not driving as safely as one expected you drive, you were guaranteed to feel the wrath of Papa Joe Avarello.”

Notably, the party wasn’t an indicator of another retirement. “As long as I can walk, I’ll stay with these kids. That’s what keeps you young, working with kids,” said Avarello. “As long as I can walk, I’ll be here.”