SAUGUS — Residents who pass by the Department of Public Works headquarters on Main Street will always be reminded of Joseph Attubato’s dedication to the town of Saugus.
The building was renamed the Joseph Attubato Building Saugus Department of Public Works Saturday during a socially-distant ceremony that was attended by nearly 50 friends, family, and colleagues of the former department head, many of whom spoke about Attubato’s devotion to his job and community as an inspiration to all who knew him.
“He truly loved working for the town,” said Mrs. Marion Attubato. “It wasn’t a Monday to Friday, 7 to 3:30 job. It was a 24/7 (responsibility) that he took very seriously and absolutely loved.”
Attubato, who died in 2019, spent more than five decades as an employee of the department, serving as its director for 28 years before his retirement in 2012.
As a tribute, Town Meeting members voted unanimously in July to rename the building in Attubato’s memory.
“I’m honored by it, really,” said his son, Joseph Attubato, Jr. “We know everyone here. It’s good to see him honored after having dedicated himself (to the town) for as long as he did.”
A plaque and building sign, both of which were produced by Sachem Signworks and paid for by numerous donors, will now be clearly visible to all who pass by the department’s busy Main Street location.
Much of the effort was coordinated with the help of Attubato’s longtime friend, World Series Park superintendent Bob Davis, who first broached the idea of renaming the building earlier this year.
“We were close friends, and after he passed away, his family asked if I could get involved with doing something to honor Joe for his years of service,” Davis said. “Joe cared a lot about the town. He dedicated his life to Saugus to make it a better place.”
Attubato Jr., who now lives in Lynnfield with his wife and three daughters, said his father’s joy for his job was always apparent, adding that even in the most brutal weather, the lifelong Saugus resident would be ready to drop everything and help at a moment’s notice.
“Growing up, my brother and I would constantly see how much he liked (what he did),” he said. “There’d be a snowstorm, and he’d be all ramped up and getting ready to go out. He’d be gone for two, three days because they’d be out plowing.
“When he got the director position and started coordinating snowstorms, he would stay overnight at the DPW. We would get calls (from him) to the house that my mother would answer. We would always get the happy calls, but then the frustrated calls, too. He loved doing all that stuff.”
Attubato Jr. said his family is grateful for the efforts of Davis, the Selectmen, and Town Meeting members that made Saturday’s ceremony a reality.
“We couldn’t praise (them) enough,” he said.
