Markeshia Ricks Photo
The Fabrizio brothers and their family accept a proclamation from Mayor Toni Harp.
Brothers John and Anthony Fabrizio and their Fair Haven dry cleaning business have been an institution in that neighborhood for 71 years.
During a trip to City Hall Monday night, where they were feted by Mayor Toni Harp and the Board of Alders on behalf of a grateful city, the two men, U.S. Army vets now in their 80s, took their final bows as their family looked on.
Located at 121 Grand Ave., Fab’s Cleaners opened in 1945. After seven decades of service, the two Fab brothers, with a little urging from their family, decided to close the cleaners and enjoy the rest of their lives in retirement.
Mayor Toni Harp noted as she presented a proclamation Monday night that Fab’s wasn’t just a local business. It was a meeting place for the Fair Haven community.
“There was always good discussion and many disputes that would turn heated all day long,” she said.
Annex Alder Alphonse Paolillo Jr. said when he was a kid growing up in Fair Haven, John Fabrizio was one of the adults who made sure that kids stayed out of trouble.
“You deserve everything good,” he said.
Fair Haven Heights Alder Rosa Santana said that whenever she needed help, the brothers were there for her. (Johnny Fabrizio served on what was then the Board of Aldermen from 1975 through 1982.)
“Snow, rain, sleet thunder or whatever, he was there for me working, helping and mentoring me,” Santana said. She meant that literally, given that Johnny Fab could be found clearing away snow from in front of his business well into his 80s.
“I tried to make it 100 years,” Johnny said of the business.
He said instead he’ll focus on living to 100.
“I’m 85 now,” he said.
