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Contractor’s Good Deed Hits an Industry Home Run

by Allison Hester

“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of

individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.”

– Babe Ruth

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In the early 1900s, there were no TV sets. No computers. No video games. No WWF, MMA, NASCAR or extreme sports. But there was baseball. Known as America’s pastime, baseball was a sport that brought people together. It was something almost everyone knew about and experienced at some level, whether playing in the schoolyard or attending a game at the ballpark. Baseball is a true piece of Americana. And perhaps the best known baseball player of all time is Babe Ruth. His big swing, home runs and larger-than-life personality ushered in the live-ball era, helping baseball evolve into a high-scoring, power game that exploded in popularity in the 1920s. And so, with these things in mind, let the game begin.

The Top of the First John Tornabene, owner of Clean County Powerwashing in Long Island, New York, was asked by a client to go to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery to clean a customer’s family mausoleum. This well-known cemetery happens to be where George Herman “Babe” Ruth is buried, and his gravesite is by far the most popular spot on the grounds. Even 63 years after Ruth’s death, fans stop by almost daily, leaving flowers and gifts to honor the “Great Bambino.” While on the property, John said he could not help but stop at the gravesite. As a pressure washing contractor, the thing that stood out behind all the gifts to honor Ruth was mold. John had seen the tombstone – and the mold – before, so he came prepared. “Before I headed up that way, I had already thought that if there was mold on it, I might have to clean it. The tombstone just seemed like it should be cleaned,” he says. He brought with him a bag of industry-related items he had collected from

various events from the UAMCC, PWNA, Pressure Washing Institute and the Grime Scene, and after the cleaning, he placed those items on the tombstone and then took some photos. There was no real plan for doing this other than he felt like what he was doing was representative of something bigger – an

Before (Top) and after (bottom) the monument cleaning (with John Tornabene).

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industry that, despite its differences and controversies, never fails to give back. Keep in mind, however, that John did this without the Ruth family’s permission, something that began to eat away at him. John’s brother-in-law later found a phone number for Babe Ruth’s granddaughter, Linda Ruth Tosetti, in Connecticut, and John called to fess up. Instead, he got an answering machine, so he left a message telling her what he’d done. Then he added, “I didn’t mean to disrespect your grandfather. He shined in life. He should still shine in death. If you feel you need to do anything, please do what you need to do. If I disrespected you in any way, I am truly sorry.” The following day, Linda’s husband, Andy, called back. The first words out of his mouth were, “Why did you do what you did?” John’s heart began to race. Again, “We want to know why you did what you did. Linda is shocked by this.” Gulp. Andy continued, “She can’t believe that these days someone would do something like this. She is so excited!” Later that day, Linda called John again to thank him and a friendship was born. John began to tell her about the power washing industry, about Clean Across America,

Cleaning for Heroes, and how the industry regularly gives to their communities by cleaning things for free. Linda, whose mission in life is to spread the word of her grandfather’s numerous charitable acts and to honor those who follow in his footsteps, wanted to do something special to thank John. Last night, that idea turned to reality.

Ruthian Regards As John thought on the idea of what to do, he asked if she would autograph photographs

Linda Ruth Tosetti The granddaughter of the legendary Babe Ruth, Linda lectures on the life of her world renowned grandfather, George Herman “Babe” Ruth, at various schools and universities. Linda had the honor of being inducted into the Latino American International Sports Hall Of Fame, in Laredo Texas in 2009. She has been a guest speaker at The Society of America Baseball Research, the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown NY, the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore Maryland, the Ted Williams Museum, Tropicana Field, in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the St. Petersburg Preservation Society. Linda Ruth Tosetti has also been a Contributor to Fox Channel News, ESPN, the Chicago Sun-Times, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Washington Times and has been an honored guest at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park and various important sporting venues and events throughout America. She is considered a leading authority on the life and times of her fabled grandfather from an intimate family point of view.

Andy, Kathy (John’s wife), Linda and John

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of her grandfather to pass along to some industry members of his choice. She agreed. Next, he had to choose the names, and limit the number of photos…a task that ate away at him, worried about leaving someone out or hurting feelings. He stresses that he does not know everyone in the industry, and the names selected were people he knew through various trade associations and industry bulletin boards. They were not sanctioned by any group. John, himself, paid to have the photos placed on plaques. “These pictures, when you have them in hand, are like holding a treasure. They’re surreal,” John adds. Among those he selected, three couples and one individual stood out to him as truly going above and beyond, so he asked Linda to give them a special photo. She agreed. Next, he asked the PWNA board to allow Linda to present the plaques during their annual convention on October 20 through 22. While again, this is not a PWNA-sanctioned presentation, they graciously agreed, inviting Linda to attend the annual meeting, speak during Friday night’s cocktail event – sponsored by Facilitec-USA and Scotts Pressure Wash – and present the plaques. “I want to thank the PWNA Board of Directors for allowing this to happen since they are the decisionmakers of the organization,” John adds. I especially want to thank Eric Clark (PWNA President) for taking a risk and letting me do this. It’s risky for an organization to go against the grain and allow something in that’s not sanctioned by any one group and is not clearcut as to what it is turning into. This has certainly been a work in progress. He trusted me when all I had were some big ideas and few answers.” Additionally, the recipients of the four special plaques were revealed and honored last night. The recipients were: • John and Shelly Allison of Envirospec and founder of Suzi’s Friends • Tom and Barbara Vogel of ACR Products • Rod Rodriguez and Beth Borrego of The Grime Scene.

• Henry Bockman, founder of “Clean Across America” John also surprised Paul Horsley of Scotts Powerwash with a special plaque thanking him for his many volunteer efforts, both inside and outside the industry. However, there were two individuals John wanted to pay special tribute to, and they were each given special plaques plus

Andy, Kathy (John’s wife), Linda and John

Top: The signed plaque of Babe Ruth that most recipients will receive. Middle: The signed plaque reserved for the six “special” recipients of John’s choice. Bottom: John busily packing and mailing

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autographed bats. These two were: • Robert Hinderliter, Industry Pioneer and Founder of the PWNA. (See page 28 to read the in-depth interview featuring Robert’s many contributions to the industry) • Joe Walters of Joe Walters Insurance, PWNA’s first official member and long-time supporter of pressure washing contractors.

Babe Ruth’s Charitable Contributions George Herman “Babe” Ruth was the first prominent American athlete to become a major philanthropist. He was involved with over 40 charitable organizations that supported children and his fellow man. Additionally, George loved children and children loved George. He regularly visited hospitals, orphanages, prisons, schools, sanitariums and other similar institutions. During a 1933 visit to Hawaii, he spent time at a leper colony despite warnings from local authorities. He also participated in a number of human rights movements and was one of the first nationally-known figures to accept and support men and women of every race, creed and culture into baseball, supporting Negro League, Mexican League, Cuban, women and children’s baseball. He protested the Holocaust before the President was against it, using his name to draw attention to the Jews’ plight at the exact time that U.S. officials were hoping to sweep the Jewish refugee problem under the rug. And for every known charitable act, historians believe George did at least twce as many unrecognized acts of kindness.

Additionally, a special photo was given to Nick Campanale of Nick’s Pressure Cleaning Services to present to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Ninth Inning Still, this was not enough for John. Since the gravesite cleaning, John and Linda have developed a unique friendship. They talk regularly on the phone. Their families have even gotten together for dinner and other outings. Linda’s mother, Dorothy, had a dying wish that her father, Babe Ruth, would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor one can receive, for his numerous charitable acts. Linda’s efforts to fulfill her mother’s dreamhave not succeeded just yet. “Just seeing how Babe Ruth – who was put in a reformatory orphange for 12 years, during which time he lost five siblings and his mother – still managed to not only make something out of his life, but to give back in so many charitable ways is simply amazing,” says John. “That is truly inspirational.” John has taken on his own mission, getting a national figure to recognize Linda’s “Ruthian” efforts as well as the generosity of the power washing industry. After several failed attempts, John came through in the bottom of the ninth.

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On October 18, just three days prior to Friday night’s plaque unveiling, U.S. Representative Steve Israel provided John with an official letter thanking Linda for her “tireless work in giving your grandfather Babe Ruth back to the people,” and also for her work in honoring the power washing industry. The same day, Alfonse D’Amato, the former New York Senator who “handpicked” Bob Dole to run against Bill Clinton, wrote a letter as well. In it he thanked Linda for her hard work, then added the following: “When I was in the Senate, I always thought it was most important to recognize those in my state who unselfishly gave to others. So I must applaud your support for the power washers who continuously give back to the communities.” John surprised Linda with these recognition plaques at last night’s event. His hope is that these national figures may just be the open door needed to fulfill Dorothy Ruth’s dying wish. In an interview prior to last night’s event John explained, “Even though Linda and her family have been pursuing this for years, we, the powerwashers, have helped her get noticed. She is going to be so surprised by this because it just doesn’t happen...but it did. And it’s through you guys that help others, and through me, a mere messenger.” And truly, John says that’s all he ever wanted to begin with. That’s why he placed his industry items on the gravesite of Babe Ruth in hopes that somehow, someway, it would help unite the industry and pay homage to the countless power washers who give back to their communities every day. “None of these power washers are perfect. Babe Ruth wasn’t perfect. But people have to

start looking at what is impacting. What has left a positive influence on others? What makes people feel good, especially when we’re all hurting some during these terrible economic times. What is that? It’s when someone wants to help them out for free just because,” John concludes. “Its’ time this country gets back on track by giving to those in need, and we have powerwashers who are doing just that.”