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It was a gift from Anthony Fuina, the Massapequa man whose life was transformed after his spiritual encounter with Pio of Pietrelcina, the Italian Franciscan priest who reported stigmata.
"People would call him or stop him in the street. He would spend hours every day on the phone praying with friends or family, even strangers. To this day I still hear from so many people," Barbara Fuina told Daily Voice.
Anthony who died in 2017 credited the intercession of Padre Pio in 1997 with curing him of cancer.
When a tumor was found in Anthony's colon, half was surgically removed, and a biopsy was taken. The day he was waiting to hear from his doctor of the biopsy results, Anthony had to go out and run an errand.
It was raining and while driving in Bellmore getting close to a traffic light he saw a man "dressed unusually, with a long beard" hitchhiking, Barbara recounted.
The man asked Anthony to drive him to Jerusalem Ave. and Hicksville Road in Massapequa. "He dropped him off by Carvel near Maria Regina (Church in Seaford)."
According to Anthony's testimony which is recounted on the website for the Saint Padre Pio Miracle Foundation charity to help children with cancer he founded in 2007, the stranger asked him if he was OK.
Anthony told the man he picked up that he was waiting for news of the biopsy. The stranger asked if he could pray for him,
"He placed his hand on my husband and prayed. My husband felt something so special," Barbara said.“
He (the stranger) said, "The Holy Spirit has entered upon you,” and told him he was healed, according to Anthony's testimony on the website.
When Anthony asked the stranger who he was, the stranger said he was God's servant.
Barbara and Anthony attended the canonization of Padre Pio on June 16, 2002, in Rome.
Anthony dedicated the latter 20 years of his life to telling others about the love of God and Padre Pio's powerful intercession, said Barbara.
A monthly prayer group Anthony started at Maria Regina Parish on Jerusalem Ave. in Seaford near where Anthony reportedly dropped off the saint continues monthly.
"He was always a kind, generous and giving man. My husband had charisma. After (meeting the saint) he was completely transformed. He would spend many hours every day, listening to family and friends who called him, and many strangers, pour their hearts out and encouraging them and praying with them," Barbara said.
Anthony died Oct. 6, 2017, at age 82 of cancer.
On the days leading up to his death, Anthony received many visitors."The hospital staff, friends, relatives, and strangers came to his bedside. He was so ill but never complained. They would ask him to pray for them and he did," Barbara said.
Since he died, Barbara said she's heard from many people who "reach out in prayer" to Anthony and remember him kindly.
"A young woman was in a terrible car accident (in Bellmore). The car spun around and she called out to my husband to pray to Padre Pio. She was OK. That's just one person. I hear from so many people. There are so many stories. My husband touched a lot of people," Barbara said.
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