JACK VASAPOLI (center) presents his donated sculptures to Lt. Joseph Thibodeau of the North Reading Police Department (left) and Deputy Chief Barry Galvin of the Fire Department for display in the public safety building. (Cambia Davis Photo)
By CAMBIA DAVIS
NORTH READING — The North Reading Police and Fire Departments and Flint Memorial Library are proud recipients of colorful and relevant sculptures by North Reading’s Jack Vasapoli.
Vasapoli presented his gifts to Police Lieutenant Joseph Thibodeau and Deputy Fire Chief Barry Galvin at the library recently. The police department sculpture features a Belgian Malinois dog – a breed often used as K9 partners – and the NRPD badge. The fire department sculpture shows a dalmatian wearing a fire helmet and the NRFD badge. Both will be displayed prominently in their respective departments.
Library Director Sharon Kelleher happily accepted Vasapoli’s painted carving of three endangered species of bears – Panda, Spectacled and Polar – who are setting a good example by reading books!
LIBRARY DIRECTOR Sharon Kelleher accepts Jack Vasapoli’s donation of a sculpture of three endangered bears: Panda, Spectacled and Polar, on behalf of the Flint Memorial Library. (Cambia Davis Photo)
Previously, Vasapoli had donated Spirit Bear to the Children’s Department on the fourth floor of the library. That sculpture is wildly popular with children who go up to greet him, hug him and talk to him!
Jack Vasapoli is a man of many talents and generously shares them. Besides carving wood sculptures of pine from his own yard, he has been a substitute teacher of many subjects at NRHS and a chaperone on Mr. Felix Alvarado’s trips to Spain, has painted sets for the Masquers’ Club and a mural at Martin’s Pond. He plays and sings with a party band, The Swamptones. He’s father to Tyson and Max and husband of Joyce who has shared her talents. too. Joyce did a Haunted House and the After School Program at Batchelder School.
SEVERAL of Jack Vasapoli’s wood carvings are now on display through on the first floor of the library, including this one of Blue Jay, Deer and Beaver. They can be viewed through the end of the month. (Cambia Davis Photo)
Several of Vasapoli’s sculptures will be on display at the library for the month of January. He appreciates tremendously the open space of the first floor Reading Room and front hall where he’s been able to display his work over the past five years.
He’s filled his own house with his works (thank you, Joyce) and has given his sons as many as they can accommodate. Though his carvings are fairly large, they are colorful, friendly and educational. North Reading is lucky that we have the man and his creations. His email address is: jvasapoli@hotmail.com.
