John J. Mazzoni, 96, of West Grove, died on January 26, 2023.
Born in Kennett Square, on July 26, 1926, he was the son of the late Domenic and Domenica (DiFilippo) Mazzoni.
John J. Mazzoni
During WWII he served with the 13th Air Force at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. He belonged to the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
After serving, he was employed as a carpenter for H.G. Cooper, G.F. Snyder, and was a member of the Carpenters Union Local 456.
He had a great fondness for animals. If a stray needed a home he would happily adopt it with great love. Thus, throughout his life, he had many dogs and cats that were fortunate to be in his care.
John is preceded in death by his siblings, Jean H. Huffman, Mary Tomasovich, James D. Mazzoni, and Elizabeth M. Troyan.
His final resting place will be in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square.
Arrangements are by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Kennett Square (484-734-8100). To view his online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.
Wreckage from a bomber that crashed in West Chester.
May 7, 1944, had been a stormy day. That Sunday afternoon around 4:40 p.m., and like boys, oblivious to the rain, 7-year-old Larry Wood of West Chester was outside his home in the quiet tree-lined streets of the historic borough playing with his toy rifle.
In spring 1944, WW II was still raging in Europe and Japan, and people like Chadds Ford’s 62-year-old Chris Sanderson were taking their posts atop the Farmers and Mechanics Building at the corner of Market and High Streets in West Chester, searching the sky for enemy bombers. Built in 1907, the six-story F and M building was considered a skyscraper, and spotters like Sanderson had been trained in enemy plane identification.
A few blocks south, young Larry raised his toy rifle as a U.S. Army Air Corps B-25 Mitchell bomber on a training mission out of Newark, N.J., growled overhead in the stormy skies. In the mind of the 7-year-old boy, it was an enemy bomber and Larry was going to save West Chester.
“Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat” you could hear him shout.
Seconds later, the B-25’s engine went silent and the massive bomber with a crew of seven started to spiral down. One can only imagine the suspension of belief that happened in the boy’s mind at that moment. Suddenly, the earth shook and smoke arose from just north of town.
Larry jumped in his dad’s car, and they drove on High Street following the smoke to the Oaklands Cemetery just outside of town, where a large crowd was already assembling. Larry’s dad told him to stay by the car while he checked the scene.
The carnage was unimaginable. The bomber had caught fire before it crashed into the trees, causing a crater almost ten feet deep and starting numerous fires. Two of the airmen had tried to parachute out before the crash. Their mangled bodies were in the trees 200 yards away. Others in the now broken and burning plane were scattered in the cemetery, burned beyond recognition. Larry and his dad got back into their car just as West Chester’s Good Will Fire Company arrived, now thwarted by gathering crowds. As they were driving away, they motioned to an arriving Boy Scout troop to turn back from the horror.
The young men who lost their lives 79 years ago were: 2nd Lt. Herman H. Haas Jr., 2nd Lt. William C. Bethel, Sgt. Sylvio W. Pollender, Sgt. John T. Donahue and passengers SSgt. Joseph Tucek, Sgt. George B. Allen, and Pvt. Edward P. Geoghegan Jr.
A large granite monument now stands in the cemetery to their memory.
Many years ago, I was taking a tour of the Oaklands Cemetery with the late, great Chester County historian, Paul Rodebaugh. He pointed to the spot where the plane crashed.
“It was right there, beyond the trees,” he said pointing towards North New Street. “They’re building houses there now,” he added.
In June 2019, I was serving as a guide at the Sanderson Museum. Founding member and the esteemed Chester County Judge, Lawrence E. “Larry” Wood, retired (yes) had stopped by. In the mid-1960s he had written Chris Sanderson’s will.
He pointed to a small artifact on the wall of the museum. A gnarled and burnt strip of numbers from a gauge of the B-25 bomber that had crashed. Plane spotter Chris Sanderson had picked it up for his growing museum collection.
Sally Denk Hoey, is a Gemini - one part music and one part history. She holds a masters degree cum laude from the School of Music at West Chester University. She taught 14 years in both public and private school. Her CD "Bard of the Brandywine" was critically received during her almost 30 years as a folk singer. She currently cantors masses at St Agnes Church in West Chester where she also performs with the select Motet Choir. A recognized historian, Sally serves as a judge-captain for the south-east Pennsylvania regionals of the National History Day Competition. She has served as president of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates as well as the Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford where she now curates the violin collection. Sally re-enacted with the 43rd Regiment of Foot and the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment for 19 years where she interpreted the role of a campfollower at encampments in Valley Forge, Williamsburg, Va., Monmouth, N.J. and Lexington and Concord, Mass. Sally is married to her college classmate, Thomas Hoey, otherwise known as "Mr. Sousa.”
•A 24-year-old man from Kennett Square, not identified in the report, was arrested for DUI following a May 7 traffic stop near the intersection of Longwood and School House in East Marlborough Township. The report said police made the stop after observing the vehicle failing to stop at two stop signs on School House. Police detected the smell of marijuana and found the driver to have a THC vape pen.
•Police are investigating thefts from two vehicles parked on Longwood Road on Friday, May 5. The report said investigation so far indicates unknown individuals broke through the windshield of the two vehicles and stole a handbag containing cash and multiple bank cards from one vehicle and a tote bag containing lunch from the other vehicle. Through further investigation, the suspects were operating a black in color SUV bearing unknown New Jersey registration.
•Police said a 24-year-old man from Gwynn Oak, Md., was arrested for shoplifting at the East Marlborough Township Walmart on May 5. The unidentified suspect is accused of stealing $59 worth of merchandise.
•State police said they are investigating a May 5 burglary on Shadow Lane in Pennsbury Township. The report said the victim left her garage doors open the night before and someone entered the garage and the car and stole a purse with credit cards and other items.
•A 40-year-old man from Wallingford and a 39-year-old woman from West Chester were cited for harassment following a domestic altercation on Lenni Drive in Pocopson Township that became physical on May 3. The report said the man wound up with a scratch on his neck.
•Troopers are investigating a case of identity theft that was reported on May 1. Police said a 41-year-old woman from Kissimmee, Fla., had $15,000 stolen from an account at Truist Bank in East Marlborough Township.
•Two men from Philadelphia, one 38 years old and the other 18 years old, face harassment charges following a May 1 physical altercation at Ponds Edge Drive in Pennsbury Township.
Dancing fountains, performances under the stars, and beautiful gardens make the Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens magical. Running from May 11-September 24, 2023, the spectacular celebration of music, light, water, and nature includes unique garden experiences indoors and out.
Iconic Illuminated Fountain Performances dance, soar, and delight in the Main Fountain Garden Thursday–Saturday evenings. New Illuminated Fountain Performances for 2023 include Put Me In, Coach, featuring a variety of sports-related tunes; Rachmaninov: Power and Passion; Shake It Off: Taylor Swift; Starman: David Bowie; To Infinity and Beyond, highlighting beloved songs from animated movie favorites; and Where the Heart Is, a showcase of coming-home hits by the likes of Bon Jovi and Ed Sheeran. Illuminated Fountain Performances are included with Gardens admission.
Before the fountain performances guests can sit under the stars and enjoy live music and refreshing brews and pub fare in Longwood’s Beer Garden. Guests can enjoy a variety of selections from Victory Brewing Company, including the Longwood Seasons series brewed with ingredients grown at Longwood. Regional artists perform live instrumental music, including Hawaiian-Inspired Steel Guitar from Slowey & The Boats, Jazz Age Blues from Drew Nugent & The Midnight Society, and Traditional Cuban Son by Conjunto Philadelphia.
Summer Performance Series
Festival of Fountains also features free and ticketed performances throughout the season. The summer kicks off with the May 12 Curtis Symphony Orchestra performance, marking the first time the full orchestra will perform at Longwood, and the only chance to experience the Philadelphia-based orchestra in the region before they embark on their Curtis On Tour West Coast engagements.
The season wraps-up with the return of the Wine & Jazz Festival on September 23. The stellar lineup of award-winning performers includes Chucho Valdés Quartet, Emmet Cohen Trio, Anat Cohen Quartet, Terell Stafford Quintet, The Dale Melton Trio, and High and Mighty Brass Band. In addition, guest can enjoy wines from around the world, including selections from France, Spain, Argentina, South Africa, and Italy, as well as an array of domestic vintages from California, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and more. The Wine & Jazz Festival is Saturday, September 23 from 2-9 pm and tickets available now for $65 and $43 for designated drivers. Longwood Members receive a discount.
For a complete listing of summer performances and to purchase tickets, visit longwoodgardens.org.
Festive Fridays
Select Fridays throughout Festival of Fountains bring extra family fun during Longwood’s Festive Friday theme nights. During these special evenings, enjoy themed fountain performances, concessions, entertainment, and more. Plus, every festive Friday brings the rare opportunity to climb to the top of the Chimes Tower for a stunning view of Longwood’s 62-bell carillon and the surrounding landscape.
The first Festive Friday theme of the season is “Bollywood Blockbusters” on May 26, celebrating the soul of Hindi film and featuring the Daksha Dance Troupe at 6:30 and 7:30 pm in the pumphouse plaza. It’s all about Music with the June 30 Festive Friday theme—”Make Some Noise”—where keyboards will be set up around the gardens for guests to play from 5-8 pm. Paying homage to the City of Brotherly, “It’s a Philly Thing” on July 14 highlights Longwood’s own collaboration with Victory Brewing Company and live music from Polkadelphia. “To Infinity and Beyond” on August 4 is sure to be an evening of fun for both the young and the young at heart when performers from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts takeover the Pumphouse Plaza from 6–8 pm. And, on September 15, the “I’m a Believer” theme for Festive Friday brings family-friendly magic with The Give and Take Jugglers in the Pumphouse Plaza from 5:30–7:30 pm. Included with Gardens Admission, visit Longwoodgardens.org for more information.
Longwood Fountains at Night
Celebrate Horticulture
From tall grasses to native perennials to showy tropical foliage and bountiful flowers—the natural beauty showcased during the summer season at Longwood shines daily. Vegetables and annuals bloom in the ever-changing Idea Garden, the Rose Garden springs to life, and fanciful forms delight in the Topiary Garden. Find shade under a tree in Peirce’s Woods or seek out the sun-drenched Meadow Garden where black-eyed Susans provide a vibrant visual show. The Conservatory dazzles with perpetual blooms, tranquil water features, and grand displays.
During the month of May, Longwood hosts additional celebratory events highlighting plants and nature that are included with Gardens Admission.
World Topiary Day
Saturday, May 13–Sunday, May 14
Longwood joins Levens Hall and Gardens (Cumbria, UK) and other gardens around the globe in celebrating the beauty, art, and joy of World Topiary Day on May 13 and 14. Delight in the fanciful cones, spirals, and whimsical shapes of Longwood’s Topiary Garden, which has been meticulously trained and cared for for decades.
Stories and Songs with Storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston
Saturday, May 20, 11 am, Open Air Theatre Join storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston as she performs selections from her vast repertoire of stories and songs from the African and African American oral traditions using a variety of instruments. The engaging event is designed for all ages and is free with Gardens Admission.
PA Native Species Day
Saturday, May 20, 11:30 am-5 pm
Join Longwood for the second annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day—which falls on May 18 but Longwood is celebrating all day on Saturday, May 20—with a variety of walks and talks, including a Meadow Ecology Walk; Wildflower Walk; Using Native Plants in Your Home Garden Walk; and talks that Explore Our Native Ecosystems.
Festival of Fountains hours are 10 am–6 pm Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, and 10 am–10 pm Thursday–Saturday, May 11 through August 30. The Gardens are closed on Tuesdays. Timed Admission Tickets required and should be purchased in advance. Timed Reservations required for Members Thursday–Saturday from 3:00 pm to close.
About Longwood Gardens
In 1906, industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, encompassing 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, a 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and grand conservatory. Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. Open daily, Longwood is one of more than 30 gardens in the Philadelphia region known as America’s Garden Capital. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org.
