Community

  The sun shined brightly on the 2016 Columbus Day Parade, which attracted one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds in recent memory. The weather was glorious and the spectators stood five deep along State Street all the way from Monroe to Wacker. Buses filled with volunteers and parade goers left the grounds of Casa Italia in the early morning for the Mass, with a second wave departing later in the morning and heading directly for the parade. The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii was filled to capacity for the Mass, the altar was gorgeous with bouquets of flowers, …

  State Rep. Anthony DeLuca held a free women’s self-defense seminar in October that offered instructions on how women can protect themselves in dangerous situations. Instructors were Masters Daniel Kocsis (6th Degree Black Belt) and Master Cathy Kocsis (4th Degree Black Belt). “Knowledge is power and being aware of your surroundings and knowing basic self-defense techniques provides the knowledge to protect oneself when danger approaches,” DeLuca says. “I will continue working to extend opportunities such as the self-defense training event to my constituents, and I will continue my efforts to increase public safety in the Southland.”  

  Celebrating its 92nd Annual Columbus Banquet, the Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America hosted the event at Villa Brunetti, Franklin Park, Illinois on October 8, 2016. Maria Mancini, Columbus Banquet Chair, welcomed the guests and introduced the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Caldarone, Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois. The MC introduced the Grand Lodge Officers, our honored award recipients, the Consul General of Italy, and the Columbus Day Queen as they entered the hall. Highlighting the evening were the presentations of the 2016 Humanitarian Award and the Columbus Patriot Award. In …

    An enthusiastic crowd was held spellbound by Medal of Honor recipient Allen James Lynch during a special presentation hosted by the Italian American Veterans Museum. More than 100 attendees, many of them veterans, flocked to the Community Center at Casa Italia on Nov. 14 to share an evening with a true American hero. As an Army sergeant during the Vietnam War, Lynch earned the nation’s highest military decoration while saving the lives of three wounded comrades on the field of battle. The evening was passionately moderated by IAVM Memorabilia Curator Steve Corbo. After calling World War II Veteran …

  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 …