Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
On June 23, members of the Norridge-Harwood Heights and Montclare Elmwood Park Kiwanis Clubs came together to celebrate a living legend: Ross Pontarelli, who has been a proud and active member of Kiwanis for 54 year s— and counting.
Ross’s journey began in Rocchetta al Volturno, Italy, where he was born Rosinto Antonio Pontarelli on March 3, 1931. As a young boy, he witnessed the rumble of World War II firsthand — bombs falling not far from his village near Monte Cassino. At 20, he left Italy for North America, eventually settling in Chicago in 1955 with determination, a drive to serve, and only basic English.
He made a humble living at first — cutting grass along the railroads in Windsor, Ontario, working construction, and later assembling eyeglasses. But he kept his sights high. He studied English at night at Schurz College, constantly improving himself. When he saw others selling real estate, he thought, “If they can do it, so can I.” And he did — building a career that would span 62 years, shaping the Harlem and Grand Avenue area, and beyond.
“Since I was 13 years old, I knew I wanted this kind of job,” Ross says. “I saw my friends becoming doctors, lawyers, teachers. I asked myself: What do I want to do with my life?”
Tragedy struck early when his mother passed away suddenly from a wasp sting infection when he was just 18. Not long after, his father Amato (“meaning ‘loved’”) moved to Chicago. Ross followed at 20. In 1955, his Aunt Edvige, who also became godmother to his future wife, introduced him to Gina (Jean) Daria of Chicago. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ross and Gina built a life rooted in faith, service, and family, raising four sons — Bob, Mike, Dan, and John. They started with a converted grocery store turned real estate office near Oak Park and Belmont. Within months, they were in business, living above the office and building a future. After 25 years, they moved further north, where John now runs the operation near Higgins and Harlem.
“I worked for someone else for 12 years. But I had four sons — I wanted to build something for them,” Ross reflects.
Ross joined Montclare Elmwood Park Kiwanis in 1970, introduced by Dr. Joseph Audino, a physician who became a dear friend. “Joe would come into my office every day just to talk real estate and life,” Ross recalls. Ross was president in 2008 and 2009. He joined the Norridge Harwood Heights Club as a founding member in 2017.
Since that day, Ross never looked back. He’s been at the heart of local Kiwanis work fundraisers, food drives, parish rummage sales, peanut days, and countless events. Even now, with aging eyesight, he’s still present, still recruiting, still believing.
“Ross doesn’t push,” says one fellow Kiwanian. “He simply believes in Kiwanis. And that belief is contagious.”
Savino “Nuccio” D’Argento, owner of RoccoVino’s, where the June 23 event was held, has long supported Kiwanis and speaks highly of Ross: “Ross gets it. He came here like I did—from Italy—with gratitude and a desire to give back. When you’re given the chance to start a new life in America, you don’t forget it. You help people—because people helped you.”
