Tag Archives: Flowers of Italy Club

Carmen Salerno is in the middle of a two-year term as president of the Flowers of Italy Club in Melrose Park. A member since 2013, Salerno served as secretary before being elected to the top spot last year. “It’s awesome to be in charge of an organization that’s been around for so long and done so much for the community,” Salerno says. His parents, Achille and Gilda (Perri) Salerno, moved to Melrose Park from Calabria in the 1970s, and his father was an early member of the club. “I joined to follow in my dad’s footsteps and continue the club’s …

The Flowers of Italy Club honored Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero at its annual dinner dance on March 30 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. (630-688-3153) The following profile was provided by the organization. Having resided in Berwyn for fifty-eight years, Robert J. (Bob) Lovero has made public service an integral part of his life. Throughout this time he has had the support of his family, including father Thomas (deceased), mother Alba, brother Scott, sister-in-law Lisa, wife Gail, son Thomas, daughter-in-law Ashley, daughters Danielle and Gabrielle, and grandsons Robert and Matthew. Bob began graduated from St. Mary of Celle Grammar School, …

The Flowers of Italy Club will honor a longstanding pillar of the community as their 2015 Man of the Year. Sonny Nicotera will take center stage when the venerable Melrose Park-based organization celebrates its 54th annual dinner dance on March 28 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. Born in Cicero, Nicotera moved with his family to Melrose Park as a teen to the house that he still calls home. He was a manager of the Dining Car Services for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad until his retirement 12 years ago. A longtime member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel …

The Flowers of Italy Club will honor Bellwood Mayor Frank A. Pasquale as Man of the Year on March 9 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. Frank A. Pasquale is mayor of the Village of Bellwood, having been elected to office in 2001, and re-elected in 2004 and 2009. Prior to serving as mayor, the four-decade resident served as a village trustee and as a commissioner of Memorial Park District. He also served as coach and president of the Bellwood Little League, chairman of the Italo American National Union Youth Activities, and board member of Oak/Leyden Development Services. Mayor Pasquale’s …