Venerated in verse: Resident’s poems pay tribute to his late father

This Father’s Day, Vince Sacco will be writing a poem or a story about his father.

He doesn’t plan what he will write; he said the words just come. One of his Facebook followers, Roberta Weiner Mancillas, has said, “You are a very caring son. I love everything you write.”

Sacco is a late-in-life writer, and he can’t explain why or how he began writing, though he is clear about his initial inspiration.

Throughout his life, Sacco has had special feelings for his grade school sweetheart, Mary Jo Cinquemani. They both attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Bronx, N.Y.

The two have a special bond, Sacco said. They were born the same year, the same month, the same week and under the same moon. Sacco said he waited 43 years for his girl, through his troubled teenage years, six years in the Navy and jobs in Florida, South Carolina and New York. He also had been through two marriages, and she had been through one.

When the two finally got together in 2009, Sacco was so in love, he wrote a long Valentine’s Day poem for Cinquemani — and he has been writing ever since: to his wife, to his parents (now dead), to friends and to other relatives, including Cinquemani’s three children.

Cinquemani says her husband’s talent is “always right on. He perfectly captures the personality of everyone described in his poems.”

The Saccos married in 2011 and recently moved from California to an apartment in southwest Las Vegas.

Before her death four years ago, Sacco’s mother heard about her son’s emerging writing talent and asked for a poem about her. Sacco wrote it in two parts — part one before her death, and part two after that. He read both parts at his mother’s funeral. The audience response, he said, went from laughter to tears.

Although Sacco’s father died before his writing emerged, he writes to his father on many special occasions. He even writes stories as if he or he and his friends are visiting his father and other family members in heaven.

He has rules for the friends accompanying him on his visits with his father: absolutely no bringing up old or unfinished arguments; do not ask what the future holds for you; don’t even try to stay (unless arranged by the big guy); don’t miss the elevator — you won’t like where the next one lets you off; remember your manners and show respect; do not forget where you are; laugh, love and dance till you heart’s content or for an hour, whichever comes first; want a return trip? Obey the rules.

Like his mother’s poem, Sacco’s stories are filled with humor and pathos. Facebook fans have encouraged Sacco to submit his stories for wider publication. As it is, one of his poems has been set to music; another has been published in a book of poetry.

“When I write about visiting my father in heaven,” Sacco said, “I’m not crazy. I just prefer a positive mental attitude about this life and the next .” (Sacco’s license plate starts with the letters “PMA.”)

“Every Now and Then” is a verse written by Sacco on the anniversary of his father’s death:

Well today marks year 14 that Dad has passed away, and yet it feels like yesterday.

Yes, every now and then I’ll get a whiff of Old Spice and know you’re here.

Yes, every now and then I can see you looking back at me in the mirror and know you’re here.

Yes, every now and then when I build something, I think of how you taught me and know you’re here.

Yes, every now and then I get a glimpse of a man somewhere that looks like you and know you’re here.

Yes, every now and then I change the radio station in my car; it reminds me that I couldn’t change yours, and I smile because I know you’re here.

Dad, I can go on and on about all the little things in life that make me feel like you are with me, every now and then.

Today is a NOW day, for I will never forget when you proudly adorned yourself with Angel’s Wings and soared to the heavens.

Love and miss you, every now and then.