Tag Archives: Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America

The Amerigo Vespucci Lodge 1722 of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America celebrated its 90th anniversary on May 11 at the Quality Inn in Bradley, Illinois. More than 170 guests, including families from across the country, converged on the venue for the occasion. The lodge is based in Kankakee. The event included a fabulous meal, entertainment by the Frank Rossi Trio and dancing into the night. The decorative centerpieces contained copies of the anniversary booklet as well as balsamic vinegar, olive oil and a seasoning blend to be used with the dinner’s rustic bread. Guests were encouraged to take …

Being Italian has always been central to Frank Schiro’s identity, and for decades he has devoted himself to highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of the community in the United States. An experienced litigator and trial attorney in Milwaukee, Schiro recently was elected president of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin. He is the founder of the former Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Lodge, which in 2009 merged with the Chicago Lodge to become the current Grand Lodge. Joining Schiro as Grand Lodge officers are Immediate Past President Marie Marsalli, Orator James LasCola, …

The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Grand Lodge of IL/WI has installed new presidents for a pair of Illinois lodges. The OSDIA state grand lodge encompasses seven local lodges in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mario D’Antonio will preside over Leone D’Oro Lodge #2700, which meets in Tinley Park. Formerly a network design engineer at AT&T, D’Antonio currently is a senior field architect at Insight Inc., where he provides Fortune 100 companies with technology solutions that use artificial intelligence in a responsible way. “Home is where you make it,” he says. “If Italians stand together as one family in …

The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, hosted “Another Afternoon with Frank” on Nov. 12 at Orland Chateau in Orland Park. Grand Lodge President Paul Loparco welcomed guests, thanking those who donated gift baskets to be raffled off, then introduced the star of the show. Crooner Paul Bulanda wowed the crowd with his spot-on impersonations of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Neal Diamond and more. Proceeds from the event benefited local and national charities.

(The following was provided by the Grand Lodge of IL/WI, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America) Eight distinguished professional Italian Americans were presented with Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence at the 20th annual Reception and Ceremony on July 18, 2021, at White Eagle Banquets in Niles. The Grand Lodge of IL/WI, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, hosted the event. Paul Loparco, President of the Grand Lodge, welcomed the honorees and guests and thanked them for their participation. He then introduced Marie Marsalli, Immediate Past President of the Grand Lodge and Chair of the event, …

The following was provided by the sponsoring organization. The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, celebrated its 95th Annual Columbus Banquet on Oct. 12. Anna DeLuca, Columbus Banquet Chair, welcomed the guests and introduced the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Hon. Anthony Caldarone. The MC introduced the Grand Lodge officers, our honored award recipients, the Consul General of Italy, and the Columbus Day Queen as they entered the hall. The MC introduced Paul R. Loparco, Grand Lodge of IL/WI president, who greeted the guests and stressed the importance of celebrating and recognizing …

Paul Loparco has been elected president of the Illinois-Wisconsin Grand Lodge, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. A member of OSDIA since 1999, Loparco served as trustee, vice president and president of Leone D’Oro Lodge #2700 before ascending to the state presidency. “It’s a big step for me and I still have a lot to learn, but I’m certain I can handle it,” he says. “My goals are to increase membership, continue the OSDIA mission, and inform people about all of our wonderful charitable activities.” Loparco joined the local lodge at the invitation of a friend, and he …

The Illinois/Wisconsin Grand Lodge of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America welcomed a new lodge to the family. Lodge Amicizia #2999 of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was chartered on Nov. 2 at Casa Capri in Kenosha. On hand for the ceremony were Lodge President Joseph Cardinali, National 4th Vice President Richard R. Della Croce, Grand Lodge President Paul R. Loparco and Immediate Past Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli. The lodge has 32 charter members.

The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America’s Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin held its 48th Biennium State Convention on June 15 at the Edward Hotel Chicago in Rosemont. Grand lodge officers elected at the convention for the biennium 2019-2021 are Paul Loparco, president; Frank Schiro, first vice president; James LasCola, orator; Anna DeLuca, recording secretary; Maria Mancini, financial secretary; Carl Busateri, treasurer; Joseph Dentice, historian; and the Rev. John Belmonte, S.J., chaplain. Grand lodge trustees are Margurite Rowley, Giacomo Mancini, Elia Kress, Carol Hatley, Gino Montalbano and Joseph Santoro. Delegates to the convention were members elected by …

  Eleven distinguished Italian Americans were honored with Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence at the 17th annual reception and ceremony on May 6, 2018, at the Roma Lodge in Racine, Wisconsin. The event is hosted annually by the Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. The Master of Ceremony and event Chairman was Frank Schiro, Grand Lodge First Vice President. Schiro introduced Richard R. Della Croce, national Fifth Vice President, who sang both the American and Italian national anthems. Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli was introduced and welcomed the honorees and guests. …