Cook County salutes DiFrisco

The Cook County Board recently honored the passing of Dominic DiFrisco with a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Peter Silvestri. On hand were (from left) Commissioner John Daley, daughter Nina Mariano, grandson Pasquale Gianni, widow Carol Loverde, Silvestri and Pressident Toni Preckwinkle.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, on April 27, 2019, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called Dominic DiFrisco from our midst; and

WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco was the beloved husband of Carol (nee Loverde) and loving father of Nina (Robert) Mariano; and

WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco was the proud grandfather of Pasquale Gianni and fond brother of Carmela Soricelli of New York and Louisa Termini of Texas, and uncle and godfather to many; and

WHEREAS, born to Leoluca and Antonina, immigrants from Corleone, Sicily, Dominic DiFrisco was taught the importance of community involvement at an early age; his father’s involvement in many Italian-American causes left a strong impression on him and inspired him to dedicate most of his adult life to the promotion of Italian-American culture and to dispel stereotypes; and

WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco began his career at Alitalia Airlines in New York and moved to Chicago as public relations manager for the Midwest; and

WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco later made a name for himself helping to build bridges between the public and private sectors as senior consultant at Edelman Chicago, with prominent clients including McDonald’s, the State of Illinois, and the City of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco was the voice for countless topics important to the Italian-American community and was an early leader of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, a nonprofit organization that serves as a congress for the Chicagoland Italian-American organizations and represents the community on local, state, national, and international levels; and

WHEREAS, when the Italian-American community was at risk of losing one of its cornerstones-Our Lady of Pompeii Church-Dominic and other Little Italy community members bound together to raise money to save the church, personally petitioning the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin to allow the church to remain open; and

WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco was known by many as the color commentator for decades during the television broadcast of the Columbus Day Parade, displaying his encyclopedic knowledge of Chicago-Italian history; and

WHEREAS, in addition to receiving many awards from the Italian-American community, Dominic DiFrisco has been honored by the African-American and Native-American communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Dominic DiFrisco; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy of the same be tendered to the family of Dominic DiFrisco so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.