Head Custodian Jimmy Bargallo had an odd day at City Hall Thursday, his last because he took the city's early retirement option. Bargallo joined the city in 1987.
First, Jenna Nichol from the Health and Human Services Department asked to take him out for ice cream at exactly noon. Then Town Clerk Lori Kaback hustled him out of her office when he came in for an emotional goodbye.
"I had to get rid of him to help set up," Kaback said at Bargallo's surprise going away party.
"I was literally speechless," Bargallo said, which is saying a lot for a Boston Red Sox Fan in Danbury Town Hall. His work uniform was a Red Sox T-shirt and black Converse All Stars. Bargallo has had a great 2013, with the Sox in first place and him retiring. "I'll go up to Boston for a few games at the end of the season. Take in a game and take in the North End."
Bargallo walked into Building Inspector Leo Null's office Tuesday a few minutes after Planning Director Dennis Elpern gave him a framed photograph of Ted Williams batting, apparently looking at a long ball that just left his bat. He showed it to Buiding Inspector Leo Null, who congratulated him, not mentioning the Yankee pennants hanging over the door Bargallo just entered.
Elpern said the photograph has an oak frame, but it looks like ash, the wood used to make baseball bats.
"He's a great guy. He's a go-to guy when something breaks or you need something," said Elpern, another Red Sox fan. "He picked a great time to retire. He's got all this free time and the Sox are in first."
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