Profiles

Having joined the Army Reserves while in dental school, Richard Munaretto opted for three years of active duty as a dentist in Germany rather than one year in Vietnam and one in the States. The oldest of four sons, Richard Munaretto was born in Chicago to Frank and Adelina Peruzzo Munaretto. The family lived near Western and Ohio and later moved to 3750 W. Chicago Ave., living behind his father’s business, Alamo Barber Shop. Munaretto’s maternal grandparents emigrated from Carmignano di Brenta, Padua, and his mother was born in Chicago. His father, born in Tresche Conca, Vicenza, came to America …

The Calabresi in America Organization has elected Gina Badagliacca to serve as its 2025-2026 president, and the longtime member couldn’t be more thrilled to helm the vibrant organization. “I think everything about the club is great,” she says. “The functions are exciting, the people are amazing and there are lifelong friendships that we create.” Badagliacca’s parents, Francesco and Rosaria Spizzirri, were both members pretty much since the group was launched, she says, noting that she has been involved since she was a teenager, stepping up her participation after her father passed away three years ago. “He has a lot to …

Ross Martucci fell in love with special effects makeup as a child, when he saw the gruesome Freddy Krueger of the movie “Nightmare on Elm Street” on the cover of a horror magazine. “I couldn’t believe how it was possible to make somebody look like they were burnt from head to toe and it not be real. It was almost like magic to me,” the Chicago-based artist recalls. “I said to myself, ‘This has to be one of the coolest jobs to do.’” More than 20 years later, Martucci got to assist on the “Nightmare on Elm Street” remake, which …

The COVID-19 pandemic is over, but a Facebook group co-created by Theresa “Terri” Sarro during that difficult time continues to thrive as a resource for residents of North Riverside. Sarro, who serves as trustee in the suburban Chicago municipality, started the group North Riverside Neighbors Helping Neighbors with her good friend and fellow resident Kathy Ranieri. The two had a long history of working together for the good of the community. Nine years ago, they started “Christmas for a Cause” to raise funds for families in need and have held additional fundraisers to assist people in need during difficult times. …

Each year, the DuPage Chapter of the Justinian Society of Lawyers bestows the Justice Anthony M. Peccarelli Award upon an attorney who has displayed qualities of leadership and civility. This year honoree was Joseph P. Glimco III. The award was presented at the chapter’s installation dinner on May 14 at Sogno Ristorante in Wheaton. “I am honored to be the recipient of the Justice Anthony M. Peccarelli Award and I thank the DuPage Chapter of the Justinian Society of Lawyers for choosing me,” Glimco says. A graduate of Benet Academy (1978), St. Ambrose College (1982) and Drake Law School (1985) …

“I had the great pleasure of meeting Illinois Supreme Court Justice Moses W. Harrison II — or “Mose,” as he liked to be called — about the time he declared his candidacy for the Illinois Supreme Court in 1987. We became dear friends over the years.  Named after his paternal grandfather, Justice Harrison was highly respected and the first Italian American to serve on the state’s high court. the Court, followed 2 by the esteemed Justice Bob Thomas (of Notre Dame and Chicago Bears fame). Justice Harrison was born in Collinsville, a city in far southern Illinois, on March 30, …

A tough kid from the Taylor Street neighborhood, Louis Grippo ended up sparring under the tutelage of a world champion while training at Ft. Riley during World War II. This is a story about Pfc. Louis Grippo and his travels during World War II. But a little background first. I grew up in my father’s family building on West Taylor Street in one of the Italian enclaves of Chicago. My mom’s family lived on South May Street, two blocks away. In my early years, we went over there almost every day. When I was in grammar school, I was there …

From a barrio of Buenos Aires to the top of the web development world, Norb Svanascini has been propelled by a simple but potent belief.  If ever there was proof of the power of positive thinking — and hard work — it’s Norb Svanascini. Born in a barrio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and raised since the age of 11 in Bloomington, Indiana, he went on to launch one of the nation’s marquee website-development companies. A philosophy major at Indiana University, Svanascini left during his junior year because he felt he could learn more in the real world than in a classroom. …

Phyllis Colonna Schoene has been a member of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans for 60 years and was part of its all-volunteer staff for nearly a decade before being invited to asked to fill a big pair of shoes. That call came after Jo Ann Serpico, the organization’s beloved, longtime executive director, passed away last April. “We miss her, she was our leader,” Schoene says. “She was well loved in the community and continues to be.” Schoene says she is truly honored that JCCIA President Ron Onesti chose her to succeed Serpico, and is grateful for the opportunity …

Never taking a day for granted, two-time cancer survivor Dylan Provenzano, 20, has been giving back to the community that helped him through a fundraising drive for pediatric cancer patients. “I always try to remember what my life was like seven, eight years ago, and how ‘little me’ would be wishing to be in the spot I am right now,” says Provenzano, a Dean’s List baseball player at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. “That always helps me to keep going and keep getting stronger in any category of my life. Whether it be baseball, school or with people, I’ll always …