Community News

  Oak Park Police Chief Anthony Ambrose will step up to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago when members and guests gather for the organization’s annual installation gala on Jan. 14 at the Medinah Country Club. (708-358-5502) “It’s an honor and a privilege to follow in the footsteps of so many great past presidents,” Ambrose says. A member since 2010, Ambrose joined “to promote our great Italian heritage and be associated with a club that believes in giving back to the community.” In addition to working his way up the ladder of succession as an officer, Ambrose has …

    One of the highlights of the Chicago’s World Fair in 1933 unfolded when Italian aviator Italo Balbo led a historic transatlantic flight from Rome to Chicago, landing on the shores of Lake Michigan near Grant Park. To commemorate the flight and honor Balbo, a 2,000-year-old Roman column was sent from an ancient port city of Rome and installed at the fair’s Italian Pavilion in 1934. The Balbo Monument is the only remaining structure from the Century of Progress and is one of the oldest sculptures in the United States. It remains standing near Soldier Field and is in …

  A pair of departed veterans are resting more peacefully thanks to the sharp eye and passionate persistence of Laurence Pasquesi. The longtime North Shore activist was strolling through Memorial Park in Highland Park when he was moved to take a closer look at a monument to residents who had worn the American uniform during World War I. He noted with pride that 15 of the 366 men memorialized on a bronze plaque were of Italian descent, but realized upon closer examination that the last names of Costantino Minorini and Enrico Piacenza were misspelled. With the help of fellow community …

    Jaclyn Puccini was crowned Queen of the Columbus Day parade at a glittering pageant on Aug. 28 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. “‘Exciting’ doesn’t begin to describe the 2016 Columbus Day Queen Pageant,” JCCIA Executive Director Jo Ann Serpico says. “Enthusiasm radiated from the family members, friends and community leaders who attended, and the young women were perfect examples of confidence, courage and leadership.” Ron Onesti of Onesti Entertainment chaired the event and served as master of ceremonies, and Marilyn Fredericks handled the choreography. “Ron and Marilyn did a spectacular job of running this year’s pageant,” Serpico …

    The Italian American Executives of Transportation honored Sam Cicinelli, Al and Marlene Comella, and Vince Gerasole on Nov. 19 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. (708-212-1051)   Sam Cicinelli Sam Cicinelli is the leader of one of the largest Mechanics’ Union in the country. He is the Directing Business Representative of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Automobile Mechanics’ Union Local 701, representing more than 6,400 active members and over 4,200 retired members. He is extremely proud of his heritage and has always displayed a passion to help those in need. Sam is the son of Ursula, …

  The Italian American Police Association honored David Figlioli, Ron Onesti and the Rev. Daniel J. Branch on Nov. 5 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. David Figlioli — Man of the Year A former police officer, David Figlioli has dedicated his career as an attorney to defending the rights of those in law enforcement who have been injured on the job. The son of a World War II Army veteran and retired Chicago Police sergeant, Dave served in law enforcement for more than a decade, rising to the rank of sergeant in the Chicago Police Department. Before committing his life …

The Comboni Mission Center honored Jo Ann Serpico on Nov. 26 at Porretta’s Banquets in Chicago. (708-354-1999) Jo Ann’s prominence in the Chicago-area Italian-American community is a testament to her late father, Joseph R. Salerno. One of the founders of the Rosario D. Salerno Sons Funeral Homes, he was an early organizer of the Chicago-area Italian American community, a member of the Selective Service Board, the founder of the Roosevelt Loan Company and candidate for the Illinois Senate. Jo Ann’s father was one of the founders of the Italian Welfare Council, the precursor of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian …

  The Italian Catholic Federation Branch 392 presented Giovanna and Antonio Gerardi with its Mother Cabrini Award on Nov. 13. The award is bestowed each year upon a couple that represents the Italian values of community, family and faith. The event will feature a Mass at St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago and a dinner dance at Porretta’s. Giovanna Cacciapaglia Gerardi was born in Mola di Bari in the beautiful southern Italian region of Puglia. At the age of 13, she left Italy along with her parents and sisters to join her older sister, who had moved years earlier and …

  James Scalzitti, deputy communications director for the Cook County Clerk’s Office, recently won four writing awards at the National Association of County Information Officers’ 2016 Awards of Excellence. NACIO received hundreds of entries for their annual contest, which honors the work of county and state public information officers across the country. Scalzitti won “Best of Class” in Writing and “Superior” in News Writing for “One Year of Marriage Equality in Cook County,” as well as awards for excellence in the News Release and Speech categories.  

  The Italian American Political Coalition held its 17th annual bocce tournament on Aug. 26 at Casa Italia. Dubbed the Fred Serpe Memorial Tournament in honor of recently deceased IAPC stalwart Ferdinand Serpe, the event attracted 26 teams. Taking first place were Andrea Sinacola, Tim Turner and Nick Standiford of the Schain Banks law firm. Coming in second were Teresa Gianini, Mike Fazio, Joe Viverito and Diane Viverito. With Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri at the helm, the IAPC recently announced its endorsements for the November election. For the full list, turn to page 23.