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Brother goes beyond the call to aid late sister's children

By Paul LaRocco, Record-Journal staff, March 16, 2004

WALLINGFORD — When he delivered his sister's eulogy a little over a month ago, Joe Pannone promised the overflowing crowd at Yalesville Funeral Home that his speech only marked the beginning of his work to preserve the memory of Rose Pannone.

There would be a Web site. An education fund set up for the single mother's two young children. An annual fund-raising event, including raffles and silent auctions for thousands of dollars in gifts.

Given the emotion of the moment, certainly no one would have held it against Pannone if he had not followed through on the promises. Six weeks later, though, it appears the efforts Pannone hinted at that day will not only come to fruition, but may have even been initially underestimated.

First came the Web site, www.rosepannone.com, with pictures and poetry from the lifelong Wallingford resident killed Jan. 27, at the age of 31, in a one-car accident on Interstate 91 in North Haven. That seemed like a natural to Pannone, who serves as founder and CEO of Forza, a nationally recognized Yalesville technology firm.

Following the site, however, was the idea that has recently taken on a life of its own: the Rose Pannone Fund-raiser, scheduled for May at PNA Park in town. The event, set up as a way to put together a college fund for 13-year-old Justin and 6-year-old Alyssa Pannone, has gotten attention from local companies, elected officials and even well-known personalities and organizations throughout the country.

"The reaction has been truly amazing," said Pannone, who has set up a 15-member committee of his sister's closest friends and family to help organize the fund-raiser and handle the growing amount of merchandise being donated for the event's raffle and auction.

Last Tuesday, the sofa in Pannone's Main Street office was already filling up with boxes and envelopes stuffed with everything from autographed pictures of wrestling superstar The Rock, rock band R.E.M. and tickets for Broadway shows and weekends at Boston bed & breakfast inns.

"People seem to really want to give in situations like this," said Lori Molesky, a childhood friend of the Pannones, who is now helping with the Rose Pannone Fund-raiser committee.

And there's still two months left for more of the more than 2,000 requests Pannone sent out to be returned. In addition to sports teams and celebrities, letters with handwritten addresses were sent to ski resorts, politicians, Fortune 500 corporations, even Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey.

"What would be the ultimate is a call from Oprah," Pannone said. "She's the top. Imagine if she even mentioned the fundraiser on the show?"

The 36-year-old Pannone, who has two young children himself, said that his sister — who worked for 10 years as a UPS driver — would have wanted him to go to the lengths he has trying to raise money for her children. Justin is living with his grandfather, while Alyssa is splitting her time between there and with her father, Pannone said.

"If I had just five more minutes to talk to her, she'd tell me to take care of her family first," he said. "And I know if the positions were reversed, and something happened to me and my wife and kids, she would do the same. I know it."

The first annual Rose Pannone Fundraiser will take place on Sat. May 29 at PNA Park, North Plains Industrial Rd. For more information about the fundraiser or the Pannone Children Education Fund, call (203) 265-2933.

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