SARASOTA – A memorial bench honoring Gabby Petito has a new home in North Port.
“The family helped guide some of the inspiration but a lot of it just came from the heart,” said Owner of A-Squared Fabrication, Aaron Betzner.
A steel bench covered in colorful butterflies now sits outside North Port City Hall, with the intent to honor the life of Gabby Petito.
“I was interviewed here locally, and it went national, and a gentlemen from Indiana heard, he said nine words came from out of my mouth, we hope that someday a bench could come, and he heard that, and he’s a steel fabricator,” said City Commissioner for the City of North Port, Jill Luke.
Betzner was able to contact Luke, and Petito’s family to begin TO brainstorm the design of the bench.
“A lot of back and forth and a lot of just little pieces of information, that allowed me to build what you see now,” said Betzner.
The bench, which seats three, is made in a unique shape designed to comfort any visitor. The bench also includes a plaque with a bible verse and a quote Gabby’s parents chose.
“It commemorates not only Gabby, but it leaves a place for people to come to, for healing to happen, 1 out of three women have abuse within their life, and this is a place where that healing can happen,” said Luke.
The bench was presented to Gabby’s parents before the public to make sure the artwork was exactly what her parents wanted.
“I have no way of understanding what they’ve been through, but I know that I have the ability to design something, and that can be a memory, I hope the family can find a smile to carry with them forever knowing that something is there to dedicate Gabby’s life,” said Betzner.
Although Gabby may be gone, here, she will never be forgotten.
Gabby’s Father, Joseph Petito, has asked anyone who visits the memorial bench and takes a picture to use the hashtag #GabbysBench
