One of my favorite pastimes as a kid was skipping stones. Only later did I realize the ripple effect of those stones was as significant as their skipping.
Carl Anthony Scarpitti died Oct 25, 1995, at age 79. Ironically I called the family this past October 25 for this story. I doubt if this humble servant ever knew the ripple effects his life would have.
Carl grew up in a hardscrabble ethnic neighborhood in Akron Ohio. Even though his father taught all the kids to work hard, Carl found himself, at age 12, the only one in his family with a job during the Great Depression. His career: a cobbler for over 60 years.
From day one of his new profession he was helping people, offering free or low cost repairs to the elderly, to kids whose baseball gloves were ripped, and to farmers who couldn’t find anyone else to repair their large tarps at a reasonable price. He worked many Saturdays to serve all who found him the only guy around who did this kind of work at those prices. No wonder his books show his highest year’s income netted a whopping $12,000.
Yet the ripple effects of his life led to the formation of the Carl A. Scarpitti Foundation by his 8 children. Since its 1995 inception the foundation has awarded forty-eight $1200 scholarships to Sebring grads. Those students range from valedictorians to the average. Sebring’s basketball courts have been refurbished, playgrounds have been redone, ball fields have been modernized, field trips were funded through some large gifts, but much has been done through the many $15 to $50 donations given by hundreds of widows, homemakers and businessmen. The donors were all recipients of the ripples that refreshed them from Carl’s love and life.
Why do I remember his kind words, gentle smile, and bootblacked hands so vividly even as a child who frequented his small Sebring shop? Because grace and generosity go from ripples to tidal waves to touch young and old, to all the classes and categories Carl and Josephine Scarpitti embraced with calloused and caring hands.
What motivates grace? His faith was a key. Strong Catholics, Carl and Josephine instilled compassion and commitment into their children. They knelt and prayed each day before they went to school and before all meals. All their kids are in church today. The 8 kids never missed more than 10 days of school total in all 12 years. All Carl’s kids knew how to work and study as all 8 went to college.
Every day each of us is given a new stone to toss into the pond. What ripple effects resound from our stone depends on our throw. I’m looking at a humble shoe repairman and his foundation for some lessons.
To make a tax-deductible contribution to this fine foundation, send to: The Carl A. Scarpitti Foundation; 266 E Michigan Av; Sebring OH 44672
