Eva Bermudez, standing in a freshly cleared path in the snow beside Roberto Clemente’s monument in Colt Park recalled some of the late baseball player’s words: ”Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.”

The celebration and commemoration of Clemente’s life took place on the last day of 2012, marking the fortieth anniversary of the baseball player and humanitarian’s death.

State Representative-Elect Ed Vargas read “El Legado de Clemente,” a poem by Willie Matos; Mayor Segarra spoke about the dedication shown in Clemente’s decision to serve others during his last holiday season, instead of staying home with friends and family.

The celebration closed with the placing of roses on the monument beside Roberto Clemente Field in the park.

The Hartford Roberto Clemente Committee hopes to have another event, next time during the summer.