Tag Archives: 2013 Dinner Dance

by Joanne Spata What a perfect match: Dominic Stramaglia and the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia. They have so much in common! They are both dedicated to their cultural heritage and the support of all that is good, noteworthy and educational. They are very intelligent, creative and entertaining. And they are each priceless treasures to everyone who is fortunate enough to be involved with them. No wonder the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia selected Dominic Stramaglia as its 2013 Man of the Year. To celebrate this occasion, more than 700 people gathered on Feb. 16 for an incredible …

On Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, the Comboni Missionaries will hold their 47th annual Dinner Dance at Via Bella Banquets in Countryside, and the venerable group will mark the special occasion by honoring Francis Cardinal George. Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Ph.D., S.T.D., was born on Jan. 16, 1937, in Chicago to Francis J. and Julia R. (McCarthy) George. After attending St. Pascal Elementary School in Chicago, he attended St. Henry Preparatory Seminary in Belleville. He entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on Aug. 14, 1957, studying theology at the University of Ottawa in Canada, and was ordained a priest by …

by Mario Manfredini Louis Stillo grew up on the Polk and California on the city’s West Side. His family moved to Berwyn in 1953, and he graduated from Piper Grade School that following year. As a teen, Louis was always involved in area sports, and as an adult, he took on the role of coaching, earning the nickname “Uncle Lou” to all the children he had come to mentor. Louis was involved in the St. Mary of Celle Little League and Berwyn Recreation Pony League Baseball, Basketball and Softball. Throughout the years, many a Berwyn youth was coached by Uncle …

The Italian American Executives of Transportation will honor attorney Louis Cairo as Man of the Year at their annual dinner dance on Nov. 16 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Rick Gunderson and Dennis Fiedler will be honored as Humanitarians of the Year at the event, and a Special Recognition Award for Government Service will be presented to State Rep. Lou Lang. (708-212-1051) Louis C. Cairo Louis Cairo is a senior partner at the GWC law firm: Chicago’s largest personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm. Growing up as the son of an Italian immigrant who owned a union construction …

The Italian American Police Association is proud to celebrate its 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance by honoring James J. Morici Jr., Founder and Managing Partner of Morici, Figlioli & Associates as its 2013 Man of the Year. The event will take place on Nov. 2 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Tickets are $75 per person. To make reservations, contact IAPA President Phil Tenerelli at 708-268-1495. It’s fitting that the IAPA has chosen to honor Jim. As an Assistant State’s Attorney, he earned a reputation as a hard-nosed First Chair Prosecutor at 26th and California. Working with Chicago and suburban police …

The Italian Catholic Federation Branch #439 of Our Lady Mother of the Church will honor Dr. Jeff Cantor at its second annual dinner dance. The event will take place on Oct. 6 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. (847-341-1847) Dr. Jeffrey S. Cantor, D.D.S, graduated from Bowdoin College in 1968 and Columbia University School of Dental Medicine in New York City in 1972. He received his specialty training in pediatric dentistry from the George Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, N.Y., in 1974. Dr. Cantor has taught at Case Western Reserve, Loyola, Illinois Masonic, Michael Reese Hospital, and Children’s Memorial Hospital …

The Mola Foundation is truly honored to present the 2013 Arcangelo Award to Tony’s Finer Foods vice president and co-owner Domenico Gambino. “We give the Arcangelo Award to people who make a difference in the community, and that describes Domenic perfectly,” Mola Foundation President Tony Copertino explains. “Anytime the community needs help, he’s there to lend a hand. He’s always involved and always giving.” The youngest of eight children of Francesco and Maria Gambino, Domenico was born and raised in Ciminna, Sicily, along with siblings Maria, Andrea, Giuseppe, Salvatore, Domenica, Anna and Antonino. Scratching out a meager existence as farmers …

The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast Committee is proud to honor Rich Romeo as our 2013 Man of the Year. There are few volunteers who work as hard on behalf of the Committee, and he does so with no expectation of acknowledgment or reward. Rich was born in Chicago, the first of three sons to Anne and Frank Romeo. Raised in the Taylor Street neighborhood, Rich attended St. Charles Borromeo Grammar School and St. Mel High School. During his high school years, he met his future wife, Marcella Caifano, who attended St. Mary’s High School. Rich and Marcella married …