Congratulations are in order for Patricia Malafronte, a lifelong Bristolian who will celebrate her 60th work anniversary at John Andrade Insurance Agency, Inc. on Aug. 19.

After graduating high school Malafronte, born on March 14, 1944, worked for one summer at Bristol Town Hall as part of the tax collector’s office, but then got the final opportunity she would ever need, when her uncle got her an interview with the late John Andrade Sr.

“I came in for the interview at 10:00 a.m., and by 1:00 I had the job. And I never left,” Malafronte said during a recent interview. She was just 19 years old when she started as a bookkeeper, eventually moving over to the insurance side of the business, where she has continued to work ever since, taking calls, processing policy renewals, and in general being a remarkably friendly face at the front desk. “It’s the only job I’ve ever had. And I was only out of this office, in 60 years, for one month. I had bronchitis.”

Malafronte said that she has never had a bad boss, and had nothing but kind words for John Andrade Sr., John Paul Andrade, and Mark Matrone, who now runs the company. She was looking forward to celebrating watermelon day at the time she was interviewed, and thanked her colleagues for always making it a nice place to come in to work; even though that’s now down to three days a week.

“The people I work with are tremendous. If I need help, they’re right there for me…It’s been a pleasure to work here,” she said. “I just love it.”