Profiles

Heeding a calling one cold night 20 years ago, Dr. Patrick Angelo has been helping the homeless ever since, recently launching a business and a nonprofit to fund even greater efforts. Even 20 years later, Dr. Patrick Angelo struggles to explain the freezing February night when he felt a command to get into his car and drive downtown to go feed and warm the homeless. He didn’t know his way around downtown Chicago. But after making some random turns, he arrived at a homeless encampment on Lower Wacker Drive, where he had never been before. For about 13 years, Angelo …

Raised to value service above self, Dr. Valerie Scaramella-Nowinski has dramatically improved the lives of countless children on the autism spectrum. For parents of children on the autism spectrum, and those impacted by similar developmental disorders, the worst four words you can hear are “don’t expect too much.” So much of the uncertainty facing these families is owed to the broad nature of autism. It’s not a single, uniform disorder, but rather an umbrella diagnosis comprising a range of conditions affecting speech, the sensory system and social interactions. Some neurodiverse children may have a small communications delay compared to their …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society honored Dr. Jeffrey Wittmus as Arcolian of the Year at its Christmas gala on Dec. 14 at Cafe La Cave in Des Plaines. Wittmus is the grandson of John Joseph Siravo, whose parents immigrated from Italy’s Abruzzi region. His grandfather’s name was changed to Wittmus when he and his eight siblings were placed in separate foster homes after his mother died giving birth to him and his father died working on the New York subway in 1915. Wittmus was born in Chicago to John Wayne and Judy (Simonian) Wittmus. He graduated with honors from Maine East …

Chicago attorney Frank Sommario was the guest of honor at the Justinian Society of Lawyers’ Award of Excellence, Judges and Scholarship Night. The following profile was provided by the organization: Frank Sommario Frank Sommario began his membership with the Justinian Society of Lawyers in 1997 as a first-year law student at DePaul University College of Law. His academic achievements in law school earned him several Justinian scholarships – cementing his desire to give back to this important organization that had provided so many opportunities for him. Frank began serving on the Justinian Society Executive Committee in 2009, was elected Secretary …

The Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization honored George Gatto Sr. as Man of the Year at its Honor and Hope Gala. “George is an extremely successful businessman, but he’s one of the most down-to-earth guys you’ll ever meet,” says Tom Reboletti, chairman of CIACO’s annual Honor and Hope Gala. “He’s not very vocal, but he’s the first to write a check and help the cause.” Scholarships to deserving high school seniors and grants to individuals in need were presented at the event. The following profile was provided by the organization. George Gatto One of six children of Dominick and Norma …

One of hundreds of thousands of Italian Americans who fought with valor during World War I, Anthony Cardamone left behind a precious legacy in the form of an account from the front. World War I was the first American war in which large numbers of Italian immigrants served in the armed forces. Although they were certainly present in U.S. military units in previous conflicts, the timing of their heaviest immigration — the 1890s, 1900s and 1910s — ensured there would be an ample supply of young men from Italy to fill places in the burgeoning United States Army in 1917. …

A standout basketball and baseball player in high school and college, Jerry Colangelo became a multisport luminary thanks to inspiration drawn from his humble Italian roots in Chicago Heights. When Jerry Colangelo was 7 years old, he was given his first basketball, a simple act that ignited the fuse to an extraordinarily successful career in national and international sports. “I smelled the leather, and it was the beginning of a love affair that has lasted a lifetime,” Colangelo tells Fra Noi in a wide-ranging interview about his life and myriad achievements as a player, coach, administrator, owner and overall leader. …

The Italian American Executives of Transportation honored a trio of luminaries at its dinner dance on Nov. 20 at Ashton Place in Willowbrook. Frank Grimaldi hailed as Man of the Year at the event, and Anthony Ambrose and Anthony Pucillo was honored as Humanitarians of the Year.  (iaet-chicago.org, 708-212-1051) The following profiles were provided by the organization: Frank Grimaldi Jr., A.A.E. Frank Grimaldi Jr. has faithfully served the Chicago airport community for nearly 40 years in senior Airfield Operations and Design and Construction capacities. He has more than 21 years of airfield operations experience and 18 years managing the design …

A fierce advocate on behalf of his heritage for decades, Basil Russo has undertaken the Garibaldian task of uniting the community on a national level. Basil Russo was watching the ballgame on TV with his immigrant grandfather when Cleveland Indians slugger Rocky Colavito hit his record-tying fourth consecutive home run against the Baltimore Orioles on June 10, 1959. Russo was only 12 at the time, but that moment is forever etched in his memory. “My ‘nonnu’ was a tough, old Sicilian who rarely showed much emotion, but there he was with tears of joy running down his face,” Russo recalls. …

Oak Brook attorney Mario Palermo has been elected president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers’ DuPage County Chapter. Palermo grew up in New York City, attended Kent College of Law in Chicago, passed the bar in 1996 and joined the chapter 15 years ago after setting up shop in DuPage County. “The organization gave me a chance to meet people who are respected in the legal community and establish connections to help me grow my business,” he says. “I’ve made lifelong friends, and now I get to mentor younger lawyers and pay it forward.” “The people are fantastic, and the …