Profiles

In her memoir, Eleanor Foa addresses her family’s power, passion and paradox, and discovers deep literary significance in her Italian-Jewish ancestry. Being so strongly identified with Catholicism, Italy may strike the casual observer as inextricably connected to Christianity. But a closer look reveals that Italian Jews had much to do with the region’s history, culture and proud traditions. How much so? As Rabbi Barbara Aiello explained in a past Lou&A column, the very name “Italia” is of Hebrew origin. The first of the Jewish diaspora, on seeing the peninsula’s beautiful, misty coast, exclaimed “Aiee-tal-ya!”, a Hebrew phrase that means “the …

The Most Serene Republic of San Marino has named Robert Allegrini as its Honorary Consul in Chicago. The title was recently bestowed on Allegrini during a ceremony in San Marino presided over by the country’s co-heads of state, the Captains Regent. San Marino becomes the 88th country to have official diplomatic representation in Chicago. As consul, Allegrini will be responsible for promoting San Marino from the standpoints of trade, investment and tourism throughout his consular jurisdiction, which includes Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. He will also be tasked with looking after the welfare of San Marino citizens and visitors …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society honored Anthony M. Spina, D.D.S., M.D., as Arcolian of the Year at the society’s annual Christmas Party on Dec. 11 at the Park Ridge Country Club. (Dr. Jessica Mattern, 847-498-1595) “Dr. Spina exemplifies our mission,” says Arcolian President Dr. Katina Spadoni. “He perpetuates fellowship between dentists, specialists, retirees and students; he has provided us with extraordinary speakers to help us earn continuing education units; and he opens us up to networking opportunities by bridging the gap between medical and dental.” Spina earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University, his dental degree from Loyola University School …

After making her mark as a mixed martial artist, then toiling in the trenches as a working actress, Gina Carano landed the role of a lifetime in the ongoing “Star Wars” saga. If you’re professional fighter-turned-actress Gina Carano, what do you do when one of Hollywood’s biggest directors asks to meet? Well, like any good Italian American, you bring a bottle of wine to the meeting, of course. And not just any wine, Carano told Fra Noi in an exclusive interview. This particular vintage was one that holds a special place in her heart because it comes from the Sonoma …

A member of the Air Force and Air National Guard for 40 years, Victor Guerrieri was responsible for all communications on base and in the field of battle during a nine-month deployment to Iraq in 2010. The second of six children, Victor Guerrieri was born in Chicago to Carmen and Rita (Mariano.) The family lived in his maternal grandparents’ building near Marmora and Higgins avenues before moving to the area around Foster and Cumberland avenues, where Guerrieri grew up. His parents were born in Chicago, and his grandparents emigrated from Bari. Maternal aunts, uncles and cousins all lived close, and …

The Italian American Executives of Transportation honored a dynamic father-son duo at their Nov. 16 gala at Ashton Place in Willowbrook. (708-212-1051) Michael Tadin Jr., president of MAT Construction Inc., was honored as Man of the Year at the event, and Michael A. Tadin, president of Marina Cartage Inc., was hailed as Humanitarian of the Year. Tadin Jr. launched MAT Construction in 1999, offering road-grinding, paving and general contracting services. He launched his real estate arm, Morgan Street Development, 15 years ago, and MAT Asphalt LLC last year. He is a member of the Illinois Roadbuilders Association and the Illinois …

The Comboni Missionaries honored Joseph A. Russo at their annual dinner dance on Nov. 30 at Manzo’s Banquets in Des Plaines. (708-354-1999) As a boy growing up in Cicero, Russo enjoyed learning about his Italian and Calabrian heritage from his extended family. From those experiences, he decided he wanted to make a difference in the world. As a teenager, he found his calling in funeral directing and embalming. Russo graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1991 and opened his own company, Russo Funeral Service, in 1995 at the age of 21. In 2012, he fulfilled a dream by …

The Italian Catholic Federation Branch 392 presented the 2019 Mother Cabrini Award to Nicola and Maria Tenerelli on Nov. 10 at Porretta’s Banquets in Chicago. The award is given each year to a deserving couple that has demonstrated the Italian values of faith, family and community in their everyday lives. Nicola and Maria were both born in Puglia, meeting and marrying after they moved to the Chicago area. The couple has been active in the Italian-American community in the Chicago area for many years. Nicola and Maria joined the Madonna della Croce Society in 2005, Cegliesi Italo-American Association (CI-AMA) in …

Eminent Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola has been named as Lyric Opera’s music director designate and will become Lyric’s music director beginning with the 2021-’22 season. The transition will be overseen by the Lyric’s acclaimed and beloved music director Sir Andrew Davis, who plans on concluding his two-decade-long tenure at the end of the 2020-’21 season. “I am thrilled that Enrique Mazzola has accepted Lyric’s invitation to become our next music director,” Lyric CEO Anthony Freud says. “He has accrued a wealth of international experience in his career to date, and he is tremendously well liked and respected by the Lyric …

A forward observer during World War II, Michael Priami scouted out the enemy’s presence across Europe, communicating their location back to the troops. The second of four children, Michael (Mike) Priami was born in 1924 in Hancock, Michigan. His father, Federico, was born in Rota, Italy, and his mother, Davina Barsocchi, was from Lucca. They met and married in Italy and emigrated to Hancock, settling near relatives. His parents grew a huge vegetable garden with potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini and more. “They had everything,” Priami says. He, his older brother and two younger sisters all helped out. In addition to …