On Saturday, November 2, 2013, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (NIASHF) officially inducted its Class of 2013 at a celebratory dinner dance. Welcoming guests from throughout the United States were NIASHF National Spokesman and New York Mets Hall of Famer Mike Piazza. Piazza was joined by Chicago radio and television sports broadcaster Wayne Randazzo as a co-host for the evening. The event was Co-Chaired by Tom Fioretti and Tony Iannessa. More than 250 guests attended the star-studded celebration that also included a silent auction of important and rare sports memorabilia, and dancing to the HiLine Band. The …

The 87th annual Columbus Banquet hosted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America, was held on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. Stephen Martini, chairman for the event, welcomed the guests, and the emcee for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Calderone, Mayor of Forest Park, introduced the Grand Lodge officers, guests and dignitaries. Receiving OSIA’s 2011 Leadership Award was the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii as “Pillar of the Italian American Community for a Century.” In presenting the award, Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli stated: “The Shrine has …

The Grand Lodge of IL & WI, Order Sons of Italy in America, hosted their 11th Annual Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence Gala on May 6, 2012, at BeauJolie by Victoria in Schiller Park. Chairperson for the event, Anna DeLuca, welcomed the honorees and guests and introduced Richard Della Croce, who sang the American National Anthem and the Italian National Anthem. Mr. Della Croce, Grand Lodge Immediate Past President and National Historian, served as emcee for the day. In presenting the awards to 14 distinguished Italian Americans, Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli stated, “Our recipients walk among giants in …

The Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America, hosted its 88th annual Columbus Banquet on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at Villa Brunetti. Richard and Christine Della Croce, chairpersons for the event, welcomed the guests and the master of ceremonies for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Calderone, mayor of Forest Park, who introduced the Grand Lodge Officers, guests and dignitaries. Receiving the award for Humanitarian of 2012 was Frank Amaro, Illinois state commander of the Italian American War Veterans. In presenting the award, Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli said, “Frank is truly deserving of this award …

Twelve worthy Italian Americans were honored with a Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence at the 12th Annual Gala held on May 5 at BeauJolie by Victoria in Schiller Park. The event is hosted annually by the Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America. Chairperson for the event Anna DeLuca welcomed honorees and guests, and introduced Richard Della Croce, who sang the American National Anthem and Italian National Anthem. Mr. Della Croce, Grand Lodge Immediate Past President and National Historian, served as emcee for the day. In the spirit of da Vinci, the order recognized …

by Dona De Sanctis The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) celebrated the 25th anniversary of its National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala May 23 in the nation’s capital. SIF is the philanthropic arm of the Sons of Italy, the nation’s oldest and largest organization for people of Italian heritage. During the gala evening, held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., four leaders in business, government and entertainment received SIF awards: Chrysler/Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne; General Colin L. Powell, USA (ret.); actor Gary Sinise and Sky TV’s Robert Corrao. The honorees Sergio Marchionne, chairman & CEO of Chrysler …

by Dona De Sanctis The Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin, will honor Senatore Renato Turano as Humanitarian of the Year at its 89th annual Columbus Banquet. Sons of Italy Foundation scholarships also will be bestowed at the event. The event will take place on Oct. 12 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. (708-403-7822) One of the true luminaries of the Chicago-area Italian-American community, business and community leader Renato Turano does triple duty as the senatore representing North and Central America in the Italian Parliament. Best known locally as the President of the Turano …

The Order Sons of Italy in America unanimously elected Anthony J. Baratta its 34th national president on August 16 during the Order’s 53rd Biennial Convention in Philadelphia (Aug. 11-18). Mr. Baratta has been active in OSIA for nearly 20 years, holding leadership position at the local, state and national levels. In 1994, he founded the Law Enforcement Lodge #2680 in Chicago and, after serving there for nine years, was elected state president of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 2003. Four years later, he became national president of the Sons of Italy Commission for Social Justice. During the Order’s 2009 …

The 89th Annual Columbus Banquet hosted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America, was held on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. Chairwoman for the event, Margurite Rowley, welcomed the guests and the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Calderone, Mayor of Forest Park. Mayor Calderone introduced the Grand Lodge Officers, guests and dignitaries. The Grand Lodge honored Senatore Renato Turano as their 2013 Humanitarian. In presenting the award to Senatore Turano, Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli stated “we are truly proud of his accomplishments and …

The Grand Lodge of IL/WI, Order Sons of Italy in America hosted its 13th annual Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence Gala on May 4 at BeauJolie by Victoria in Schiller Park. Chairman and Master of Ceremony Richard R. Della Croce welcomed the honorees and guests and introduced Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli. A beautiful rendition of the American and Italian anthems was sung by Mr. Della Croce. In presenting the awards to eight distinguished Italian American’s, Ms. Marsalli stated, “Our recipients walk among giants in their chosen profession. They lead by example and truly embrace their Italian heritage — …