Italian American Hall of Fame and Special Recognition
Italian American Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Committee
Karen Cantele | Whitey Marinelli | Frank Valentine
Banquet Event Chairs
Karen Cantele | Johnny Fandel | Anna Mirabile | Carl Ambruoso | Michele Fandel | Joy Parlapiano
2023 Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Award Banquet
2023 Hall of Fame and Special Recognition and Award Banquet
Saturday, October 14th, 2023
at the Venetian Club, 2180 Elmwood Rd, Rockford
R.S.V.P. to Karen Cantele at kkcantele22@gmail.com
About
This prestigious group is comprised of area Italian Americans who have made significant contributions to the community. These men and women have shown a tremendous amount of dedication and leadership. Inductees are nominated by the community and selected by the Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Committee annually.
Italian American Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Criteria and Nomination Form
Nominees should be persons of Italian heritage whose exemplary lives have made significant contributions to the community in the arts, sciences, government, business, industry, education, volunteer, civic and philanthropic activities, or any other category that is appropriate. Such contributions should reflect a notable community impact and the highest standards and ideals. The primary difference between Hall of Fame and Special Recognition consideration is whether the nominee has significantly impacted the Italian American community. Hall of Fame nominees should be individuals who have made an overall positive impact on the Italian American community. Nominees who have not significantly impacted the Italian American community but otherwise meet the criteria mentioned above will be considered by the committee for Special Recognition honors. It is not necessary to indicate on the nomination form which category you are nominating the individual for. The committee will make that determination based on the information provided. If you have any questions, please use the contact form below.
If you would like to nominate someone for the Italian American Hall of Fame or the Special Recognition Award, please read the criteria for these awards listed above and then click on the nomination form link below:
2019 Italian American Hall of Fame
2019 Hall of Fame Inductee:
Frank Perrecone
2019 Special Recognition;
Frank Fiorello Art
2018 Italian American Hall of Fame
2018 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Rose Mary Zammuto, posthumously
Valeri DeCastris
2018 Special Recognition;
Castronovo Bridal Shop
2017 Italian American Hall of Fame
2017 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Rosie Scalise Shenidan
Joan Gullo
Coleen Gullo
2017 Special Recognition:
Angie Armato (Sports)
2016 Italian American Hall of Fame
2016 Hall of Fame Inductee:
Steve Salvato
2016 Special Recognition:
M. Spinello & Son Locksmiths (Business)
Jim Barbagallo, posthumously (Lommunity Service)
2015 Italian American Hall of Fame
2015 Hall of Fame Inductee:
Louie Miceli
2015 Special Recognition:
John Terranova (Community Service)
2014 Italian American Hall of Fame
2014 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Lewis Maffioli
2014 Special Recognition:
Maria’s Italian Restaurant (Business)
Vietnam Veterans Honor Society (Military)
2013 Italian American Hall of Fame
2013 Hall of Fame Inductees:
John Canova
Karen Cantele
Joseph A. Cavallaro
2013 Special Recognition:
Lisa Trapani Frost (Art)
Italian American Hall of Fame Pictures for 2012
Alex Pumilia-Sagona is presenting is grandfather at the 2012 Banquet
Whitey Marinelli presenting the
Italian American Hall of Fame Award to Dr. Albert L. Pumilia
Dr. Albert L Pumilia with his wife Elsie and his two daughters Dr. Cathryn San Souci and Dr. Pacita Pumilia and his grandson Alex Pumilial-Sagona
Dr.Albert L. Pumilia with his family from left to right his wife Elsie Pumilia,
Dr. Richard San Souci, Dr. Pumilia, Jeannette De Mesa, Alex Pumilia Sagona,
Dr. Cathry San Souci
Carla Mullin and Pauline Urso receiving the Italian American Hall of Fame Award for The Amici Italiani Youth Troupe from Whitey Marinelli at the Banquet on Saturday October 6, 2012
Rosie Scalise Sheridan accepting the Italian American Hall of Fame Award for The Amici Italiani Adult Dance Troupe of October 6,2012
Amici Italiani Youth and Adult Dance Troupe with the directors of the troupe after receiving The Italian American Hall of Fame Award on October 6, 2012
Shirley Martignoni Fedeli founder of Dance Troupes pictured with Directors of the Troupes, Rosie Scalise Sheridan, Bea Giammarese Ricotta, Cara Cacciatore Mullin, Paulinge Urso and Dr. Albert L. Pumilia
Frank Perrecone, president of the Greater Rockford Italian American Association carrying the Columbus stemma banner at the Columbus Day Mass procession in St. Anthony of Padua Church. Paul Mastrangli following carrying the Columbus wreath to be placed at the monument in the church gardens.
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Presentation by Frank Perrecone at the Columbus monument in the St. Anthony Church gardens. Next to Frank is Whiety Marinelli, Ben Todaro and the Amici Italiani Dance Troups.
Italian American Hall of Fame Awardees
1978–Ben Abruzzo, Emily Guagliata, Nunzio A. Ingrassia, Mary A. Misuraca, Dr. August L.Magnelia, Peter Perrecone, Thomas C. Cancelose
1979–Peter Dal Pra, Lucy Domino, Sam Mazzola, Rev. Anthony Marchesano
1980–General Fred J. Ascani, Sammy Mandell, Sam. A. Marino, Porfi A. Picchi
1981–Peter P. Cicero, Frank “Fuzzy” Falzone, Anthony M. Fiorenza, Joseph A. Gussardo
1982–Joseph Marino , Luigi Dodaro
1983–Frank St. Angel, The Sons of Italy
1984–Sam Cannariato, Jake Cason
1985–Zeke Giorgi, Dr. A.L. Zacharia, St. Anthony of Padua Franciscan Order
1986–St. Elizabeth Social Center, Sister Anthony Marelli
1987–Italian Choral, Jasper St. Angel 1988–Frank Giovingo
1989–Lombardi Club, Venetian Club, Verdi Club,St. Mary Club, St. Ambrose Club
1990–Joe Vecchio, Lena Scandroli
1991–Zeno Gasparini, Peter Montaleone
1992–Angelo Gaziano
1993–Carl Dargene, Frances Drago
1994–Gene & Shirley Fedeli
1995–Bob Corirossi, Whitey Marinelli
1996–Carmella & Vincent LaLoggia
1998–Paul A. Logli
1999–Don Gasparini
2001–Philip A. Nicolosi, Michael G. Segneri
2002–Marie Sherman
2003–Ted Bacino, Anthony Colletti
2004–Anthony R. Fabiano, Lawerence J. Ferolie, Mathew P. Cicero
2005–Paul Maffioli
2006–John Falzone
2009–Guy Fiorenza
2010–Joseph D. Bove
2011–Paul Francis Mastrangelli and Benjamin “Ben” Dominic Todaro
2012–Dr. Albert L. Pumilia and Amici Italiani Adult and Youth Dance Troupes
2013–Karen Cantele, John Canova, and Joseph A. Cavallaro
2014–Lewis Maffioli
2015 – Louie Miceli
2016 – Steve Salvato
2017 – Colleen Gullo, Joan Gullo, and Rosie Scalise Sheridan
2018 – Valeri DeCastris, Rose Mary Zammuto
2019 – Frank Perrecone
2021 – Mike Doyle
Italian American Special Recognition Awardees
2010
Lino Gnesda (Art),
Alphonso (Al Grace) Graceffa (Music),
Valentino (Val Eddy) DeCastris (Music)
Veto Santini (Sport)
Frank “Chico” DeCastris (Sports)
2011
Dr. Joseph L. Nicolosi (Art)
Joseph C. Scandroli (Business)
Carl R. Scandroli (Business)
2013
Lisa Trapani Frost
(Art)
2014
Maria’s Italian Restaurant (Business)
Vietnam Veterans Honor Society (Military)
2015
John Terranova (Community Service)
2016
M. Spinello & Son Locksmiths (Business)
Jim Barbagallo (Community Service)
2017
Ange Armato (Sports)
2018
Castronovo Bridal Shop (Business)
2019
Frank Fiorello (Art)
2021
Palace Shoe Repair (Business)
Jerry D’Agostin (Volunteerism)
Fran Cicero Nelson (Volunteerism)
2022
Carl Armato (Sports)
Nancy Hand (Volunteerism)
Sam Oliveri (Business)
