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Gasparro would likely agree with the saying “A penny saved is a penny earned” because the native of the 700 block of Carpenter Street designed the tails side of the Lincoln cent in 1958. The coin would remain fashioned for 50 years and, along with the reverse portion of the John F. Kennedy half-dollar and both components of the Susan B. Anthony and Dwight D. Eisenhower dollars, would propel the Bella Vista product to a successful 16-year stint as the U.S. Mint’s 10th chief engraver.
The graduate of South Philadelphia High School joined the federal agency as a junior engraver in ’42 and earned a promotion from President Lyndon B. Johnson, who, along with each head of chief through Ronald Reagan would receive a commemorative medal from Gasparro, in ’65. He also taught at the Fleisher Art Memorial, which in ’90 gave him its first Founders Award. His post-mint existence also included crafting honorary coins for John Wayne and baseball legends. Gasparro died in 2001.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
The South Philadelphia Walk of Fame 2013 inductees
/ Marian Anderson / Paul Arizin / Frankie Avalon / Joey Bishop / John Chaney /
/ James Darren / Angelo Dundee / Fabian / Larry Fine / Eddie Fisher /
/ Kenny Gamble / Frank Gasparro / Joey Giardello / Stephen Girard / Sherman Hemsley /
/ Irvin Kershner / Jack Klugman / Eddie Lang / Mario Lanza / Rob McElhenney /
/ Joe Medeiros / Earl "The Pearl" Monroe / Nathan Morris / Michelle Nader / Gene Perret /
/ Frank Rizzo / Bobby Rydell / Lisa Scottoline / Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter / Anna Verna /
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