A ceremony was held in East Bridgewater after a 95-year-old Marine veteran survived a bout with COVID-19.
Listen to Lenny Rowe’s report here:
Longtime resident Jim Ingargiola has experienced tough battles throughout his life. The World War II veteran was stationed in Guam and Iwo Jima in 1945. He’s beaten lung cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“When it comes to being brave, it took a lot to fight through COVID and pneumonia at the same time,” said Ingargiola. “Plus, having had cancer in both lungs a year earlier. It was a pretty tough fight, but I won, COVID lost.”
After feeling dehydrated in February, he was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton. He was treated at the Sachem Center for Health and Rehabilitation, and was released on March 23rd.
“Not only did he survive the conflict, he also survived lung cancer and he set the bar very, very high for us young people,” said Selectman Dave Sheedy. “He also beat COVID-19. If you give a lot of us some of that strength, determination you have, I think we’d all be better people. It’s incredible what you’ve survived, and your family has to be very proud. The town of East Bridgewater thanks you from the bottom of our heart.”
East Bridgewater officials organized a ceremony and presented Ingargiola with a certificate of appreciation for his service.
“Thank you for everything that you’ve done for this country,” said Veterans Service Officer Christopher Buckley. “Everything you’ve done for this community, and everything you continue to do for us on a day to day basis.”
In February, Ingargiola called his daughter Janice from Good Samaritan Hospital. He got sick to the point he thought he would die. He sang her Frank Sinatra’s “Let Me Try Again.”
With her encouragement, and the help from an off-duty firefighter working at the Good Samaritan emergency room, he continued to fight. He fought for his 11 children – six sons, five daughters, 25 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
“They inspired me to fight this thing, and live again, and continue to live. You gotta fight it. If you have that dreaded disease – fight,” said Ingargiola. “You can live through it. Not everybody’s going to, but it can happen.”
He was all smiles Tuesday afternoon getting to see his extended family. He’s looking forward to singing karaoke soon too. His favorites include Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive.”
He recited Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag” for the crowd gathered outside of the East Bridgewater Senior Center.
“They’re amazed that a guy over 90 can sing as well as I can,” laughed Ingargiola.
Town officials are hoping for a larger gathering for his 100th birthday celebration.
Jim Ingargiola receives a citation of appreciation from East Bridgewater Selectman Dave Sheedy. Veterans Service Officer Christopher Buckley (far right) thanked Ingargiola for his service. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Between singing Frank Sinatra’s song “Let Me Try Again,” and Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag,” Jim Ingargiola felt he still sings well for a 90-year-old. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
