Looking back: 1984, Anthony’s Convoy

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Updated Nov 24, 2014

Anthony Mascari

Young Anthony Mascari, pictured above in November of 1984, suffered from neuroblastoma, a devastating cancer. He had two wishes toward the end of his fight with the disease at the age of two. With the help of the Special Wish Foundation at Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, one of those wishes came true — in spades. Anthony got a ride in a big truck with a United Van Lines-leased team with a convoy of other trucks behind it on the I-270 loop around the city before he passed on.

His mother, Elvie Sprague (previously Elvie Mascari), approaching the Nov. 23 anniversary of the convoy, as well as the anniversary of her son’s passing, wrote in to thank Overdrive for a story that ran in the January 1985 issue. Though none of the editors here today was with the magazine at the time, the story is no less special.

Elvie SpragueElvie Sprague

Sprague, who now lives in Texas, says the 30th anniversary of her second son’s death has been “hitting her hard this year,” but that the convoy and the truckers who participated in it are cherished memories she’ll never forget.

Here’s a tip of the hat to young Anthony’s memory and to those who took part.

Click through the image below for the 1985 story.

Anthony's convoy image from 1985 January issue