Warwick businessman M. Vincent Mezzetti publishes memoirs in 'Crossing the Bar'
WARWICK — Vince Mezzetti, founder and CEO of Myles Wealth Management in the Villlage of Florida, recently published his memoirs in a new book titled, "Crossing the Bar: My Life, Changes, Challenges, Choices."
The metaphorical title refers to the poem of that same name by Alfred Lord Tennyson. And the photograph on the cover of the book is of Howth Harbour near Mezzetti's birthplace in Dublin, Ireland, where a sandbar separates the safe waters of the harbor and the uncertain seas.
"To experience life," writes Mezzetti, "it is necessary to challenge yourself by crossing from the calm safe place you are in and battling the rough waters beyond."
Crossing the Bar is a story about a fascinating and sometimes near tragic story of his lifetime journey with his wife, Mai, and $300 dollars in his pocket from Ireland to Canada and finally to Warwick, where they became successful, raised their children and can now boast about their grandchildren.
If anyone is wondering why an Irishman has the last name Mezzetti, it's because his great great grandfather traveled from Italy or perhaps Sicily to Dublin to work as a statue maker. And in the days when traveling back and forth was no easy task, he decided to remain, marry, settle down and raise a family.
Mezzetti's story begins with his childhood, growing up poor in a small two-bedroom house in Dublin. It was, however, a happy home for loving and hardworking parents and their five children.
His father was a talented artist but worked as a house painter to make ends meet. And his mother knew how to stretch the family resources by being creative in the kitchen.
As a teenager Mezzetti studied for the priesthood but during his second year realized that a religious calling was not to be.
After arriving in the United States, Mezzetti, educated as an architect, continued following that career even after moving to Warwick in 1971.
However, in 1976 he left that field to become a financial planner, a business he has been in to this day.
In 2001, he purchased the Florida National Bank building at 59 North Main St. in the Village of Florida, which now serves as the home of Myles Wealth Management.
But all of those success stories, as explained in the book, involved crossing the bar from a safe haven to an uncertain future.
The Joan LaRie III, a charter fishing boat out of Pt. Pleasant, N.J., and about 8.5 nautical miles east of Manasquan inlet, capsized when it was struck broadside by a huge wave.
Of the 22 persons onboard, both crew members and six passengers were drowned or missing and presumed dead.
Vince Mezzetti and his son James, 14 years old at that time, were on that boat and as if by a miracle, both were saved.
Mezzetti testified at the Coast Guard inquest and Chapter 10 is a thrilling account of a tragedy that was fresh in his memory at that time and also to this day.
"I started writing this for my grandchildren," said Mezzetti. "I realized there was as much as 30 years difference between my children and grandchildren. I wanted them to know something about our family history so I gave a copy of the book to each one. I know they will just put it aside for the time being but perhaps many years from now they will pick it up. I told them that when they do, say a prayer for me and mother."
All profits from the book sales will be shared by The Warwick Knights of Columbus new building fund, the Rotary International fund and a veteran's organization to be selected.
- Roger Gavan