Reunion inspired by viral video forges new connection in Ontario

It was with nervous anticipation that 72-year-old Sam Macaluso parked his convertible and walked up an unfamiliar Hamilton driveway. After a half a century apart from an old friend, would the connection still be the same?

“It’s going to be a thrill to meet him again,” Macaluso told Global News Friday.

The answer to his question was in the hug.

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Fifty-seven-year-old Minno Provenzano and Macaluso talked over each other, then paused to have a look.

It was that moment when you know you never really lost that friend, they were there waiting for you all along.

“In a half hour, the whole fifty years felt like it was just yesterday,” said Macaluso.

The pair met in the 60’s.

WATCH: Erling and Emmett first went viral after this NBC report perfectly encapsulated just how strong their friendship is.

Macaluso was 20, Provenzano was just five, the two shared a love of cars — they were kindred spirits.

It didn’t take long for Macaluso to find his old friend’s number, and call.

“I saw the name and I knew right away, there was no hesitating at all. I knew it’s Sam, the guy who used to work on cars when we lived on Cannon Street,” said Provenzano.

Macaluso had moved away and the two lost touch.

WATCH: Unorthodox friendship viral video captures hearts worldwide

Macaluso was inspired to reunite with his dear buddy, after seeing a story on Global News about another inter-generational friendship, that withstood the test of time.

Emmett Rychner and his best friend, Erling Kindem.

The pre-schooler and Second World War veteran met when Emmett was a toddler.

They started as neighbours in Minnesota, but became soul mates.

The story of their special bond went viral, capturing hearts around the world.

The unlikely pair weathered a move and illness, but last weekend 91-year-old Kindem passed away, days after sharing some final words of wisdom.

“Listen to your mother and dad because they are going to give you the best advise they can,” Kindem told his little friend. “Remember that.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Listen to your mother and dad because they are going to give you the best advise they can," Kindem told his little friend. "Remember that."

The response, a simple “okay” and a big hug for the man who taught him so much.

It was that hug, that story that touched Macaluso.

“It just made me feel like I needed to contact him,” he said of his old buddy.

When they met again, they realized they had impacted each other’s lives.

An impact still felt 50 years later.

“For somebody to go out of their way to look for me it must be important to them,” said Provenzano.

With that they promised they won’t lose touch again, after such a reminder that a friendship like theirs is rare find indeed.