A little wood and some paint creates a lot of hope: McAuley residents work together to help cancer patients

Written by Tracey Weiss

Photography by Tracey Weiss

Something as simple as a wig stand can make a difference to someone with cancer: losing hair during treatment is a profoundly disturbing development, Having a wig can build confidence, but wigs are expensive and need care.

That’s where McAuley resident John Spaziani comes in. When he read an article about someone providing wig stands for people with cancer, he got busy.

“It’s a big thing in the Southwest,” he said. “I thought it was a nice thing to do.” And he understands the need; Spaziani is also a cancer survivor.

That was more than three years ago. Since then, he’s made dozens for patients at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Cancer Center.

Having fun in art class and painting the wig stands are, from left, Barbara Galler, Selma Lichtenberg, Amy Cassava, Jane Sebolt and Ruth Pagano.

He uses a process called woodturning, which is the craft of shaping wood on a lathe using hand-held tools to create symmetrical, cylindrical objects like bowls, spindles, and pens. The stands are beautiful and come in different sizes and shapes; every one of them is unique.

“I went there one day and asked them if they wanted some wig stands,” he said. “I brought them one and they brought it to the board,” and they were happy for the gesture.

Now, he’s taken it a step further, and even though he and wife Patricia Spaziani are new to the McAuley—having lived at the independent living community for only nine months—he’s already got some of the residents who regularly take art classes painting them.

“They love it,” he said.

“They’re excited about working on these,” said art class instructor Amy Cassava. “They meet once a week for 90 minutes; we have a handful of regulars.”

John Spaziani has made pencil holders for the women who work in the McAuley office, which “are a lot nicer than those plastic things,” he said.

Art students use acrylic paints on the wig stands and they are finished with a sealant by Cassava.

Spaziani, 85, makes his way to the McAuley’s fully equipped wood shop every day after a walk to Trout Brook and some exercise on the stairs near his apartment, where he listens to CDs of Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow and old swing bands while he works.

John Spaziani goes to the wood shop at The McAuley, where he has lived for eight months now, to make wig stands.

Born and raised in Hartford on Franklin Avenue, he and Patricia m

oved to New Hartford 47 years ago. He owned PJs Autobody, also in New Hartford, where he turned a barn in the back of the property into his own wood shop and taught himself woodturning before he retired. The wood shop at McAuley was a big draw for him; his wife enjoys being a member of the McAuley Singers.

“I knew it was time to retire. You know when to come, and do it when you can still enjoy it,” Spaziani added. He’s happy to be at the McAuley. “You have to make use of your time. There are 100 things to do here.” He mentioned maybe playing cards someday. “I haven’t learned how to play yet, though. I’m not ready,” he joked.

The wig stands are made of three pieces and are made by John Spaziani for cancer patients. \

Spaziani buys wood and materials he needs for the wig stands “wherever I get the best deal,” he joked. His friend gives him a lot of scraps of wood, which he turns into other trinkets, such as ornaments for the holidays and boxes that he likes to give as presents.

He’s also made pencil holders “for the ladies who work in the office upstairs.” He’s also refinished a lot of the existing tabletops at the McAuley, to everyone’s delight.

Spaziani said he will keep going as long as he can, turning out wig stands for those in need.

“It’s nice to give back; how much longer can I do this?” WHL