Tony Picciuto celebrates his 100th birthday
GIBSONBURG — Tony Picciuto of Gibsonburg celebrated his 100th birthday July 27 the way he spends most days, quietly making life better for the people around him.
On the evening before he reached the century mark, Picciuto visited Solomon Lutheran Church in Woodville to give away a few of the thousands of wooden crosses he has made to children who attended Vacation Bible School.
“It’s his birthday, and he’s giving us presents,” Pastor Alan Brown said.
Picciuto is Sandusky County's oldest World War II veteran
Giving gifts on his birthday is typical of Picciuto, Sandusky County’s oldest World War II veteran who has spent his retirement making wooden crosses in his garage. He gives the crosses away to friends, family and strangers around the world. Picciuto’s crosses are owned by people in every state and about 30 countries. He gives them to first responders, mails them to dignitaries, and tucks them into Operation Christmas boxes.
“He’s given me 2,000 to give away, and they’ve gone all over the world,” said former Woodville mayor and Picciuto’s close friend, Rich Harman.
Stories of gratitude often return to Picciuto. Traci Hernandez said Harman gave her one of Picciuto’s crosses shortly after she moved to Woodville. She placed it on the dash of her truck, and as she drove home, a car pulled out in front of her.
“The cross slid across the dash, and I didn’t get hit. I called Rich and said, ‘I think I’ve been blessed,’” Hernandez said. “Tony gave me another one tonight, and now I’m doubly blessed.”
He's touched thousands of lives
The words Tony and cross have become synonymous to many, and his kindness has touched thousands of people around the world. He was reminded of his impact when he received nearly 300 birthday cards in July.
“He got 60 just today,” Harman said.
As of his birthday, Picciuto had made 29,300 crosses, and he doesn’t plan to stop.
“I want to reach 30,000,” he said.
Picciuto’s motto is, “Keep moving,” and he believes making crosses helped him live 100 years.
“When I sit too long, I get tired and achy, and I tell myself to get my fanny out to the shop and get to work,” he said. “When I’m making crosses, the world goes by me, and I don’t have any problems.”
Picciuto has advice for people wanting to live a long life.
“Everything in moderation and volunteer,” he said. “I volunteered for the village (of Gibsonburg) for 50 years, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Picciuto’s family and friends had big birthday plans for him, but he insisted he stay out of the spotlight. Instead, he spent his 100th birthday sharing pizza, beer and, of course, crosses with those closest to him. But all around the world, people were thinking of Picciuto and the joy he brings to their lives.
“What people say about him embarrasses him. He says he doesn’t deserve it, but it does,” Harman said. “You can live to be 100 and so what? But to live to be 100 and do what he’s done is incredible.”
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Picciuto celebrates 100th birthday by giving away little wooden crosses he's made
