Say ‘Hi’ To The Bagelman

By Steve Bigham

If you have stopped by Bagelman in recent months you may have noticed a smiling man and his dog seated out front enjoying his morning cup of coffee. He is there almost every day and always has a warm greeting for passersby.

To some, he is the real-life Bagelman.

“Kids will see me at the store and say ‘there’s the Bagelman and his dog,’” joked James Smarrella earlier this week.

The Newtown man works the overnight shift (12:30 to 8:30 am) as a technician at Comsat on River Road in Southbury. After work, he picks up his lovable dog, Shep, and makes his way to his favorite coffee shop.

Some say they initially mistook the friendly gentleman for being blind. Seated comfortably in his chair, he wears dark sunglasses and holds Shep’s leash tightly. The man and his dog have been inseparable ever since Mr Smarrella found Shep, a good-natured German Shepherd, at the Danbury dog pound.

A Sandy Hook residents for the past five years, Mr Smarrella, 52,  lives with his wife Cathy and two children, Ashleigh and Matthew. Ashleigh is a senior at Newtown High School, while Matthew is in the sixth grade at Newtown Middle School.

A Navy man for 17 years, Mr Smarrella, who grew up in New Mexico, met his wife in Athens, Greece. She was there on vacation and his ship happened to be in port. They ended up in Newtown because Mrs Smarrella is originally from Wilton.

After spending time chatting with friends at Bagelman, Mr Smarrella heads home for a few hours of sleep before getting up to greet his son and daughter as they arrive home from school. He then gets a few hours sleep at night before heading into work.

So next time you are in the area, be sure to stop by and say “hi” to the Bagelman and his dog.