Vaughan
November 22, 2008 09:50 PM
Stefania Lamacchia
It’s work that comes from the heart.
That’s how Canada’s favourite crossing guard, Frank Riverso, describes his job at Blue Willow Public School in Woodbridge.
Three recipients took the title in the Walk This Way Canada contest, organized by Federal Express and Safe Kids Canada. The competition was designed to emphasize the important role crossing guards play in protecting children from traffic injuries.
And according to parents and school kids, Mr. Riverso goes above and beyond his duties.
“He’s one of the best crossing guards in the world,” Grade 6 student Ambrose Kuo said.
“It’s relieving as a parent to know that people still want to be crossing guards and they’re doing a good job,” said Mary Hasselfelt, Woodbridge resident and mother of two children who attend the school.
Even with a student body that had so many things to say about their famous crossing guard, Mr. Riverso was still surprised with the results.
“I had no idea that I won,” Mr. Riverso said. “Yesterday (Wednesday) was even my birthday, so it was nice to get a surprise.”
Mr. Riverso has been the Blue Willow crossing guard since the school opened in 2000. Since then, he said there’s never been a day when he didn’t want to go to work.
“Thank God nothing has happened to me to stop me from coming. This is light work that I can do for years, and at my age you stop counting the years,” Mr. Riverso said.
At 64, Canada’s top guard said his job allows him to pass the time, talk to people and, of course, brush up on his English.
“He’s really nice and when we teach him English, he’ll teach us Italian,” Miqueias Araujo, 10, said.
Rain or shine, you will always catch Mr. Riverso — sign and whistle in hand — outside the school promptly at 2:45 p.m.
Even those cold winter days can’t keep this crossing guard away from his post.
“It’s cold like it’s hot, you need to dress appropriately. Winter coat, rain coat, whatever I need, I wear,” he said.
And when the kids aren’t around, Mr. Riverso finds other ways to keep himself busy.
“When I see garbage on the floor I pick it up and throw it in the trash bin because I like to see the place clean,” he said.
After speaking to the winner of the Walk This Way contest, it’s clear why Mr. Riverso won.
“Everything I do, I do it from my heart, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” he said.
Tell us what’s special about your school crossing guard. E-mail editor Kim Champion at
kchampion@yrmg.com or call 905-264-8703.