Eric was a proud Clamper and many of his brothers showed up for the dedication.

I was thrilled to be a part of the dedication ceremony of the Eric Tognazzini Memorial statue on Saturday. Eric was a very big part of the Johnny’s family and is sorely missed. Now he not only holds a place in our hearts but his statue in front of the infamous parking garage on San Benito Street brings life to the entire corner.

Sean Monaghan of Bronze Works Inc. in Santa Cruz did an amazing job on the statue. From Eric’s whiskers to the creases in his pants it is a very realistic representation of him. Sean’s talent amazes me.

 
To be honest when Mark Tognazzini shared his vision of the statue with me, I assumed that if he could pull off such a monumental feat (no pun intended) it would take many years to achieve it. Not only was the statue itself expensive, but the idea that our foot-dragging city council would approve its placement before a century had passed seemed like a pipe dream. I’m happy to see that the addition of a mayor voted for by the people and new blood on the council has hastened the wheels of progress. They are making decisions of which I am truly proud.

Many people spoke about Eric’s indelible impact on our community and what he meant to them. He had a condition, but I never thought of him as handicapped. He loved life to its fullest and was a great example to all of us as to how we should face adversity with a smile. A happier guy I never knew and he is dearly missed.

Eric will always be a part of Johnny’s.