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A South Shore family has been convoying through town every year for more than a decade to bring Thanksgiving dinner to Quincy’s eight firehouses.
The Rizzi family says the tradition started when Roy Rizzi, who served for nearly 40 years on the Quincy Fire Department, died in 2009.
Lynne Rizzi O’Dea, her brother John and every other relative including grandchildren, great grandchildren, all meet on Thanksgiving morning. The full-course dinners are prepared by Hart Brothers Catering in Rockland.
“These are the eight turkeys, one for each firehouse,” said John Rizzi. “Mashed potatoes, turkey, squash, gravy.”
Quincy firefighter Zach Grazioso has been on the job for six months and was assigned to work Thanksgiving.
“You sign up for this job you know you have to work holidays,” said Grazioso. “But it is still cool the people care.”
“That is the beauty of it. they are doing their job and they are getting something from our family,” said Lynne Rizzi. “From the Rizzi family to them.”
Sylvester English, owner of Kinfolks BBQ in Taunton, opened his doors for the first time ever on Thanksgiving to serve free meals to anyone in need, a decision inspired by recent uncertainty around SNAP benefits.
The Rizzi’s have a long history of firefighters in their family from their father Roy Rizzi to their grandfather, Joseph, and their uncle, Walter.
Lynne said having so many generations come together makes the holiday even more special: “Seeing the kids, the grandkids so inspirational, so fun.”
John says he is thankful the tradition lives on because he knows his father would be smiling.
“Oh he loves it. Definitely loves it. He’s looking down now. Very proud,” he said. “This was his day and we like keeping it up.”
As Lynne gets ready to retire, she says she is moving away from the area but she plans to return every year for Thanksgiving to make sure this tradition continues.
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Robert Goulston
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