Tag Archives: Order Sons of Italy in America

The Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, honored a dozen outstanding individuals from all walks of life at the 18th annual Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence Gala on May 5 at White Eagle Banquets in Niles. “Our recipients walk among giants in their chosen professions,” says Lodge President Marie Marsalli. “They lead by example and truly embrace their Italian heritage.” Fra Noi’s own Pat Capriati, author of the monthly Italian-language profile “L’eta d’oro” and co-host of the bilingual radio program “Domenica Insieme,” received an Award of Excellence in Communications at the event. Also receiving awards …

The Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, headed north for its 17th annual Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence Gala, hosting the event on May 6 at the Roma Lodge in Racine. The event featured a buffet luncheon at noon and an awards ceremony. Profiles of the honorees follow: Peter Barca Representative Peter Barca is a lifelong citizen of Kenosha and Somers. He currently serves as State Representative from the 64th Assembly District, which includes much of the City of Kenosha and portions of the City of Racine, Town of Somers, Village of Mount …

As the second female president of the recently renamed Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, she taps into a long history of volunteer leadership. Honoring tradition while staying open to unprecedented change is one very tough balancing act. It takes a strong, sure-handed leader to make it work. Enter Vera Girolami, who became national president of the recently renamed Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America in August after serving for more than a decade in other executive roles. By the way, she’s only the second female president in the 112-year history of the organization, which added …

The Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, celebrated their 93rd Annual Columbus Banquet on Saturday evening, October 7, 2017. The event was held at Villa Brunetti, Franklin Park, IL. Anna DeLuca, Columbus Banquet Chairwoman, welcomed the guests and introduced the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Calderone, Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois. 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. Highlighting the evening were the presentation of the 2017 Humanitarian Award …

  The Order Sons of Italy in America’s Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin honored Chef Bruno Abate as Humanitarian of the Year and State Rep. Anthony DeLuca as Columbus Patriot at their 93rd annual Columbus Banquet on Oct. 7 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. Chef Bruno Abate Born in Naples and raised in Milan, Chef Abate has a passion for food and fashion that was inspired at an early age by his parents. His mother was an accomplished chef and his father was a tailor. Abate opened his first company in Milan selling fish and caviar to high-end …

The Order Sons of Italy in America Lodge 2700 presented its 2017 Joseph Caldarone Memorial Scholarship to (from left) Gianna Politano, who plans to major in music education at Illinois State University; Samantha Schwieger, who plans to major in music therapy at Belmont University; Lucas D’Antonio, who plans to major in computer science at Purdue Northwest University; Angelina Loparco, who plans to major in education at Eastern Illinois University; and Jessica Buggy, who plans to major in architecture at Tulane University.

The Grand Lodge of IL/WI, Order Sons of Italy in America, recently elected the following officers: Marie Marsalli, President; Frank Schiro, 1st VP; Maria Mancini, 2nd VP; Richard Della Croce, Immediate Past President; James LasCola, Orator; Anna DeLuca, Recording Secretary; John Simoni, Financial Secretary; Carl Busateri, Treasurer; Elia Kress, Historian; the Rev. John Belmonte, Chaplain; and Margurite Rowley, Christine Della Croce, Joseph Dentice, Judith Simoni, Paul Loparco and Giacomo Mancini, Trustees. Lodge presidents are Giacomo Mancini (Chicago Heights), Bert Jacobson (Americo Vespucci), Anthony DiMile (Southwest), Nicholas DeQuardo (Mazzei), Ben Todaro (Rockford), Paul Loparco (Leone d’Oro) and Mike Cimaglia (IACOB).

New JCCIA President Enza Raineri was among a dozen community leaders honored at the 16th annual Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence Gala on May 7 at White Eagle Banquets in Niles. The event was hosted by the Order Sons of Italy in America’s Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin. Raineri received a Community Leadership Award along with Berwyn Police Chief Michael D. Cimaglia, Festa Italiana Milwaukee founder Paul F. Iannelli, OSIA Roma Lodge President Rick P. Bonanno. Also honored were firefighter and paramedic Jeffery H. Bruno (Community Service); singer Jack V. Miuccio (Entertainment); Conca d’Oro Restaurant proprietor Peter Carini, Tucci Restaurant proprietor …

  Celebrating its 92nd Annual Columbus Banquet, the Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America hosted the event at Villa Brunetti, Franklin Park, Illinois on October 8, 2016. Maria Mancini, Columbus Banquet Chair, welcomed the guests and introduced the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Caldarone, Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois. 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. Highlighting the evening were the presentations of the 2016 Humanitarian Award and the Columbus Patriot Award. In …

The Order Sons of Italy in America’s Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin honored State Rep. John D’Amico as Humanitarian of the Year and Retired U.S. Army Colonel Renato (Ron) Bacci as Columbus Patriot at their 92nd annual Columbus Banquet on Oct. 8 at the Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. (708-403-7822) John D’Amico was born June 12, 1962. As a lifelong resident of Chicago’s northwest side, he graduated from St. Edward Catholic Elementary School, Weber High School, and he attended Northeastern Illinois University. John currently resides in Chicago’s Edgebrook neighborhood with his wife, Christine, and three children, whom are now in …