The giant gorilla statue at Mighty Joe’s Gas, Grill and Deli on Route 206 isn’t just a roadside attraction.
It’s a monument to a very special person in the lives of the business’ owners.
Lawrence Valenzano, who has owned the business since 1986, said he used to see the statue on side of Rio Grande Avenue going into Wildwood. It reminded him and his wife, Barbara, of their son, Joe, who had been a body builder.
Sometime around 2003, Lawrence bought the statue for $2,000 in part because he wanted some kind of memorial to his son, who also worked at the family business as a kid.
“We’re trying to keep him in our life a little bit,” Lawrence said. “It’s a memorial to him.”
Joe had a brain tumor and died at the age of 29.
He went to grammar school in Shamong, then Bishop Eustace High School and graduated from Seton Hall University.
Joe was also married.
“It’s becoming a landmark I think,” Lawrence said of the statute, noting a lot of people stop to see it and take pictures. “When we bought it, it was in dire need of repair.
He and his wife took it to B&C Welding in Tabernacle, and it took six months for a major overhaul.
Now, it’s easy to maintain and has been painted once.
“He’ll be there as long as I’m around,” Lawrence said. “It makes me feel good to know people like the idea that it’s there and like what he stands for. I’m getting a lot of positive reaction.
“I’ve had people come up to me with tears in their eyes. It’s an emotional thing for me and my wife.”
The statue, which has holes on both sides of its head, will have a sound system installed so when people press a button, they’ll hear jungle sounds.
The Valenzanos will also place box in front of the statue to accept donations for a brain tumor foundation.
“That’s what we lost our son to, and we want to try and give them something,” Lawrence said.
They also sell postcards of the statue in the store — and all proceeds go to brain tumor research.
And, the statue holds a giant placard that reads:
“Hello, my name is Mighty Joe. I have been placed here by the Valenzano family as a memorial and to pay tribute to their son, Joseph, who now lives in the kingdom of Heaven. Joe was a big part of this family business and he was also a body builder and won many awards. He was called ‘Mighty Joe,’ at times, by his family and friends. Joe was not only mighty in his appearance, but also in courage, spirit and love of family. Joe is truly missed by his family and friends, but (is) not forgotten — and he is always in their thoughts and prayers. My job is to look up to Heaven from time to time and say, ‘Hey, Joe, we will always love you’ and to welcome you to our family business. God bless you all and thanks for coming to see me … Mighty Joe.”
More information on the statue can be found at www.roadsideamerica.com.
