Ben's Verona Sports Center

08/16/2024

We wish the new business La Bella Princess Cafe much success at 553 Bloomfield Avenue! Glad to see the renovations look great!

05/19/2023

Vintage Ben photo with him wearing a Kansas City Chiefs jacket in the mid 1980’s back when the Essex County Chiefs youth hockey program played out of South Mountain Arena!

10/02/2022

3 years ago the store closing sale began and lasted three months right up until the pandemic’s start.

08/02/2022

I am saddened to share the news that nearby business owner, Ken Borino, has passed away. Ken owned Parkview Furniture & Appliances and his son, Chris, owns Borino’s Pizza. Ben & Ken are sharing stories and memories for sure!
~Mike

View Kenneth F. Borino's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

02/18/2022

Coach John Warchol and Ben are back shooting the breeze together. Thanks for the memories Coach Warchol, I love you and am so glad we had lunch last year to catch up on old times…
~Mike

It is with deep regret and sorrow that I announce the passing of John Warchol. Coach, instructor & mentor to thousands. Friend and mentor to me. His legacy will live on in New Jersey hockey history forever.

I'll never forget the last time I saw him the night after the Reunion at Rezza Pizzeria on Eisenhower Parkway in Roseland. Ben & Michael Leuzzi, Bob Triebe and the two of us went there for dinner. John was running late. I wanted to go pick him up, but he insisted on driving himself. He called me on his cell phone and couldn't find the place. I went outside for better reception and to try and spot John's truck in the huge parking lot. He drove past it a couple times, having to turn around - again missing the entrance. We kept talking on the phone the whole time. After being out there for twenty minutes, John said he was thinking of giving up. I asked him to please give it one more try and he finally found the lot. He had to park about a hockey rink away from the front door because of the curbs in the lot (he came in the wrong entrance). I wanted to help him out of his truck be he insisted on doing it himself. Our dinners were being served when he got inside, but John quickly caught up. After dinner, Bob Triebe and I walked him out to his truck. He showed us how he used an old scarf to loop under his foot, so he could lift his leg with his hands to get it into the truck. Again, he wouldn't let us help. After John got into his truck, he gave both of us a hug. I knew it would be the last time we would see each other - I think he knew as well. It was extra special.

I kept in touch with Ben Leuzzi all summer leading up to the Reunion in October 2019. Ben talked to John regularly, and explained that John didn't think he would attend. He didn't want people seeing that he was unable to walk on his own. I had to find a way to convince him. I wrote him a letter on July 7th. Below are excerpts from that letter.

"John,
Hello John. Hoping you’re doing ok. I hear that you may not be able to attend the Reunion as you are having a hard time getting around. I understand, but I do hope you consider making it there – even if only for an hour. I would really like you to see the setup, and I know there will be a lot of people who would love to see you – even if you’re not at 100%."

I’ve shared these stories with you, because I wanted you to know that I get it. We all get old John. Your body may not be cooperating, but after speaking with you a couple months back, I know your mind is a sharp as a tack - same old John. I know for certain you want to be at this Reunion. If for nothing else – the excellent buffet. I hear you still have a good appetite. People attending won’t care that you can’t stand on your own, or need help using the restroom. They will be glad just to be able to sit alongside you for a few minutes and listen to a story or tell you about their life. It will make for lasting memories that you can take back home with you. If you don’t attend, you’re bound to have a steady stream of visitors on Saturday.

Again, if you just don’t think it’s a good idea… I understand, and maybe I’ll be one of those Saturday visitors. But this may be a last chance for you to see many of the people attending. Please give it some thought."
'
After Sheila purchased two tickets for her and Dave Sloan, I wrote Dave a letter on October 6th, suggesting he encourage his old friend to be there. Below is an excerpt.

"Sheila & Dave,
I hope you are both doing well. I wanted to get you the attached list in advance of the Reunion. After some prompting, Holly McInnis purchased two tickets last night and will be accompanying her dad to the event. Paul needs a little help getting around. John is considering not attending, and I’m doing everything I can to get him there – even if only for an hour. I’ll have someone deliver a few trays of food to him if he misses the buffet. Though, he may need a little nudging to get him there."
John did attend the Reunion, thanks to Bruce Parker - a man I, and all who attended, will be indebted to forever. Bruce spent a couple days at John's house, helping him get ready and bringing him to the event. Otherwise, it wouldn't have happened.

It's ironic that just yesterday - the day John died, I posted something John had written in 1977. Everything happens for a reason.

Rest easy my friend. We will meet again.

01/22/2022

Ben used to love park skating season years ago!

~Mike

Get out your ice skates, people. Essex County is opening outdoor skating in two of its parks.

Skating in Caldwell's Grover Cleveland Park kicks off today, January 21 from 3 to 8 p.m. Tomorrow, January 22, you can skate on the lake in Verona Park from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Grover Cleveland will be open during those hours as well.

01/15/2022

Sally served for 15 years as secretary at the Verona Recreation Department. Verona Sports Center staff loved her!
~Mike

Sally Ann (Bianchi) Foster, 93, died of natural causes on January 11, 2022, at the Crane’s Mill Health Center in West Caldwell. Exceptionally creative, generous, witty, sentimental, lively and frank, Sal turned the ordinary into magic. She believed in champagne for major and minor milestones of li...

12/23/2021

Support local businesses! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! First holiday season without Ben in this world and second without the store. Cherish the good times!
-Mike

No, it’s not your imagination: There are a lot of help wanted signs posted all around town. MyVeronaNJ talked to several business owners about what they need and why that’s sometimes hard to find. You can read the story on our homepage or at https://www.myveronanj.com/2021/12/22/help-wanted-verona/

10/16/2021

2021 has been a real tough year of loss in Verona.
Very fond memories of Mr. Patrick Filoso and Hillcrest Farms and deepest sympathy to the family.
-Mike Leuzzi

Mr. Patrick A. Filoso, Sr., 79, died on October 14, 2021. Visiting will be in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Ave, Verona, on Monday, October 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Pat was a lifelong […]

07/05/2021

Thank you Mr. Dino!
Pops and Ben loved going to see you!

It’s the end of a hair era in Verona: Dino is retiring.

06/24/2021

Happy Birthday Ben in heaven! Our first without you and miss you lots here! Post below is from two years ago when he turned 80!

https://www.facebook.com/921655461343766/posts/1257873341055308/?d=n

A special Happy Birthday to my good friend and mentor, Ben Leuzzi - celebrating his 80th year. I've known Ben since 1971. I worked for him at Verona Sports, and alongside him with the Cedar Grove, Garden State, and Golden Blades Hockey Clubs. We could fill a book with our stories together. He taught me so much… about business, about hockey, and about life.

I made a promise to Ben in January that I would make his Golden Blades Reunion… something he has been hoping to do for several years, a reality. Through the efforts of many, it's going to happen - my birthday gift to Ben. Regardless of cost, time or effort… nothing can stop me.

For the past several months, I have been speaking to Ben a few times a week, and sending him updates regularly of people who have purchased tickets, or indicated they intend to purchase a ticket. He has been doing his part, mailing ticket order forms and calling people every day. The joy in his voice each time I tell him someone has purchased a ticket is heartwarming. I can picture a big grin on his face, like in many of the photos above. He's using a walker to help him get around since fracturing his hip last November. But he's going to therapy twice a week and working hard to ensure that he will be fit… often sharing his progress with me - to be able to get around with a cane for the Reunion in October. I know how much this means to him, and I can't disappoint him. And neither should any of you.

Sure, you can leave a thoughtful message here or on another timeline, or click the Like button, and move on with your hectic life… pacifying your time bandits. But that won't put a smile on Ben's face or bring joy to his voice. He has done so much for so many people. You want to make Ben happy… give him a real birthday gift? Then stop what you're doing and purchase your ticket to the Reunion. Give me the chance to call Ben tomorrow with some really good news. When you see him that night, shake his hand and give him a hug, and you'll experience that joy for yourself.

I'm tired of the whining, the promises, the excuses. I don't care where you work, where you live or how much it will cost to get there. Ben is 80, and he's still working. Figure it out! Back when you were kids, you just thought it was freakin' magic that made your youth hockey experiences so wonderful and memorable. Well, reality check. It had nothing to do with magic. It did have to do with people like Ben, and the many other legends who will be at Mayfair Farms on October 18th - Warchol, Sloan, Parker, Cohen, Haviland, Plunkett, and so on, hoping beyond hope that they get to see some of those they mentored so long ago. They were always there for you - now it's your chance to be there for them. It's going to be a night filled with tears of joy and smiles. Are you man enough to handle it? As my father used to say, "S**t or get off the pot." It's time to do the right thing. We only get one chance to get this right. It's never going to happen again. That's all I have to say.

Happy Birthday Ben… and many, many more.

06/05/2021

I’d like to express one last time our appreciation for your support of Ben and all sporting endeavors over the past nearly 50 years. It was at this time two years ago we began preparing for the store closing retirement sale, and a big hockey reunion that took place in the Fall of 2019. Ben was able to retire/liquidate out of the store in January 2020 at the age of 80-amazingly one month before the pandemic hit everywhere. Having passed away on March 2, 2021 (nothing to do with Covid), I wish my dad could have enjoyed a longer retirement but nonetheless, he lived a blessed and full life. Please share any final thoughts as this FB page will close down by end of the month. Thank you all! -Mike