Sunday car show to benefit Ron Mosca scholarship fund

Pete Fontaine
Posted 5/14/15

The late Ron Mosca would be proud of what will transpire Sunday at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick. After all, Mosca helped countless students during his academic and athletic career at …

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Sunday car show to benefit Ron Mosca scholarship fund

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The late Ron Mosca would be proud of what will transpire Sunday at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick. After all, Mosca helped countless students during his academic and athletic career at Hendricken.

“Ron was first and foremost a great friend to many people,” Mike Benedetto, who teaches in the computer science department at Hendricken, said the other day. “We loved Ron; his recent passing affected everyone here at school.”

Thus, when plans were being formulated for Bishop Hendricken’s sixth annual Car Show, Benedetto, who has been a driving force behind the event’s success in recent years, suggested to committee members “that we hold this year’s show in Ron’s honor.”

Benedetto’s appeal was given an immediate okay, and Sunday’s sixth annual Car Show will be named in the late Mosca’s memory, with proceeds going to a scholarship for an incoming ninth grader or underclassman who is in need of some financial help.

“Ron was always a great supporter of the less fortunate,” Benedetto said. “When we started the car show six years ago, he was right there helping in a number of different ways. We’re honored to have Ron’s name attached this special event.”

The show, in fact, somewhat resembles the late Mosca’s rise to success as a teacher and coach. As an educator, Mosca taught in several subject areas including history, math and computer science. Before his passing, he served as Hendricken’s director of technology.

Mosca was a 1973 Bishop Hendricken graduate who, as Benedetto so aptly stated, “came home to become a great teacher and coach.” He joined the BHS faculty in 1978 and was appointed an assistant football coach that same year as part of his overall duties. During his tenure as an assistant from 1978 to 1989, Hendricken made five trips to the Super Bowl and won two state titles.

In 1990 Mosca was appointed the Hawks’ head football coach, and during his 17-year career as head coach Hendricken enjoyed an unprecedented success on the gridiron. His teams went to seven Super Bowls, including six appearances, which is still a Rhode Island Interscholastic League record. Hendricken won three consecutive state champions under Mosca in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

In 1994 Mosca was named Rhode Island Football Coaches Association “Coach of the Year” and his 1995 Hawks were named by USA Today as one of the Top 20 teams in America. For his outstanding record and service, Mosca was inducted into the Providence Gridiron Club and RI Football Coaches Association Halls of Fame.

In addition to his time coaching football, Mosca was an active coach in other sports, most notably sailing, tennis and baseball. His teams won state titles in freshmen and junior varsity baseball and sailing.

Mosca decided to retire as the Hawks football coach when his youngest son Andrew graduated in 2007.

“Sunday will mark the sixth year we’ve had the car show,” Benedetto, who is sharing the co-chairmanship with George Arakelian of Johnston, said. “Our students approached the administration back then about the show and we’ve had it ever since.”

Arakelian and his wife Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian, who have long helped countless charities especially in the car show and car cruise worlds, are helping coordinate Sunday’s show.

“I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Mosca,” said George Arakelian, whose son George is a BHS senior. “But I’m highly-honored to have his name attached to this great event that will help a student in need.”

Admission is free to Sunday’s Bishop Hendricken Car Show that will run from 1 to 5 p.m. in the parking lot by the Warwick Avenue entrance to the school. There will be music, food, a bounce house for children courtesy of Vin Pezzullo Jr. of My Cousin Vinny’s Rentals and a Monster truck.

People who come and show their vehicles will be asked to make a $5 donation that will help establish the Ron Mosca Memorial Scholarship Fund. Benedetto said a total of 20 trophies will be awarded in numerous categories. The awards ceremony will be highlighted buy the “In Memory of Ron Mosca” trophy.

Also, such notable Rhode Island automobile dealers as Flood Auto Group, Paul Masse Chevrolet and Tarbox Motors will have spanking new vehicles on display.

For more information call Paul Danesi (419-6533), Benedetto (447-1281), Arakelian (946-0010) or Sabitoni-Arakelian at (499-1317).

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