Family and friends of the late Eric Tognazzini are working on a
plan to place a bronze statue of the life-long Hollister resident
in downtown.
Family and friends of the late Eric Tognazzini are working on a plan to place a bronze statue of the life-long Hollister resident in downtown.
There is an Eric Tognazzini Memorial Benefit BBQ set for 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Hollister Elks Lodge. That is in addition to a memorial fund established in his name at the Community Foundation for San Benito County, a partnership with the One Stop Recycling Center – where customers can donate their recycling proceeds to the fund account.
The committee overseeing the project hopes to raise $60,000 for the bronze statue of Tognazzini on the three-wheeler he drove around town. Tognazzini throughout his life became a staple personality in Hollister, as he drove his scooter in the area and socialized with just about everyone despite his disabilities.
Family members got the idea for a statue after hearing so many people talk about their memories of him.
“Everybody talked about, they’re going to miss seeing him,” said his brother, Mark Tognazzini.
While both the Hollister City Council and San Benito County board both have passed proclamations in his memory, the statue committee does not have a specific, public location officially approved. Some ideas include the lot at Fourth and San Benito streets and another spot near the sheriff’s office building, his brother said.
As for the barbecue event, the Brigantino family is preparing the dinner. There will be a raffle, silent auction, music, bocci ball, horseshoes and more. Tickets are $25 and are available at Postal Graphics, Mars Hill Coffeehouse and Drapoel’s.
The memorial fund is a nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible. For more go to www.tognazzinimemorial.com.
