Retiring Parisella 'The Fonz' Is District's Employee of the Month for July

The Springfield School District July Employee of the Month is Alexander Parisella, a retiring maintenance department employee.

For the last 22 years, he has worked hard to keep the students warm in the cold weather, cool in the hot weather and dry, no leaking roofs or pipes, all year long.

Parisella, a native of South Philadelphia, spent 18 months serving in Korea with the Marines and had worked for the City of Philadelphia at the Airport before coming to the Springfield School District in 1989.

He has seen the district's schools undergo major changes in his tenure in the maintenance department including infrastructure upgrades, abatement projects, boiler replacements, new windows and roofs and the opening of the Springfield Literacy Center with its geothermal heating and cooling system and green roof.

Parisella is looking forward to the next chapter in his life.

He hopes retirement is full of relaxing settings, time spent with family and some travel. 

“It has been a wonderful place to work; everyone is committed and works hard. I wish the district all the best in the future,” Parisella said about his time with Springfield School District.

His colleagues, who call him the “Fonz,” were very quick to share their esteem for their colleague.

“The Fonz is always willing to lend a helping hand. He is a great all around mechanic who knows the answer, or knows how to find the answer to any question. The shop will not be same without him,” Bill Vadino said.

“As a Springfield graduate, I remember the Fonz fixing things at Sabold when I was a student there. I never dreamed I would spend five years of my career working along side of him – I have learned so much from Al. He will be sorely missed by the entire District," Matt Owens said.

Peter Olsen, the facilities chief, summed it by saying Parisella was an important part of the maintenance department. 

"He is a jack of all trades with knowledge in HVAC, plumbing and electrical and has been very versatile in that regard. He has played an important roll in not only assisting the other guys in those departments, but also filling in when needed. His institutional knowledge from 22 years with the district has been very beneficial and has earned him the title of department historian,” Olson said.

For all these reasons, please celebrate Al Parisella as the Springfield School District July Employee of the Month.