Big Birthday Bash at Brooklake
August 15th, 2008
Tommy DeVito, Joe Pesci, Frank Maiorano, and Frank Vincent (Photo courtesy of Frank Maiorano)
By Audrey Rockman, JBB Special Correspondent
On Sunday, July 27, as fans toured his old neighborhood, Tommy DeVito and about 150 of his closest friends and family were celebrating his 80th birthday in another part of Jersey- not in Belleville or Bloomfield, but at the elegant and beautiful Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park. The dinner dance, held from 2 until 8, appropriately featured the musical group, Jersey Sound. Radio personality Joey Reynolds of WOR-710, took the podium and reminisced about his involvement with the Four Seasons and his early years as a disc jockey. Guests were treated to vintage Four Seasons clips on a large screen…frequently bursting out in enthusiastic applause.
Pictured above with DeVito are Joe Pesci, Frank Maiorano, and Frank Vincent. Good friend, Joe Pesci, looked up to Tommy since Pesci played guitar at age eleven. Like Pesci, Frank Maiorano also pursued acting, as well as writing, and has had the support of DeVito as a mentor and agent. Maiorano and DeVito were guests together on the Joey Reynolds show, talking about Jersey Boys, as the production was about to burst on the Broadway scene. Frank has written often about the show–touting its inevitable success from the beginning. The connection goes even further, though… as a baby, Tommy was delivered at home by midwife Francis Maiorano, Frank’s great grandmother! Frank Vincent, (pictured far right), also an actor, played drums and teamed up with Pesci to form a comedy duo many years ago. Lots of memories among these guys!
Hey Tommy… about next year’s celebration. I’ve got 10 ideas already. How about a Big Birthday Bus Tour Bash starting at the Belmont in Belleville?! Fuggetaboutit… you say?
It was truly an honor for Jersey Sound to perform at Tommy DeVito’s 80th Birthday Bash. With everyone that Tommy knows he asked us to perform for his affair. Tommy, thank you for all you have done for Jersey Sound, your the best!!!
Phil Bruno
Jersey Sound
Comment by Phil — August 15, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
Being from Stephen Crane Village in Newark,NJ,the Four Seasons were imbreded in all of us.That is a wonderful picture above and Tommy Devito deserves everything that is now coming his way again,God bless him.He also is blessed to have friends like Frank Maiorano,whom I know a very long time,who looks up to and respects the birthday man more than anyone could imagine.Maybe one day Frankies acting dream will come true.Anyway,Happy Birthday Tommy Devito,a man who never forgot where he came from.
Comment by Michael Gonnella — August 16, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
happy birthday tomooch! the seasons name will live forver……………….
Comment by jim petrecca — August 23, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
As a card carrying member of the public library, I’d like to thank Mr.Gonnella for those kind words.
Yes, Tommy DeVito is a guy who never forgot where he came from.
I’m especially amazed at how he’s managed to remain humble after so many ups and downs in his life.
He’s no saint, but then again, he’s a lot more “real” then any politician I ever met.
Comment by Frank Maiorano — August 31, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
My e-mail is [email protected]
Comment by Frank Maiorano — December 7, 2008 @ 7:02 pm