AUBURN - The lives of three distinguished Auburn residents were honored Sunday at the annual Christopher Columbus Recognition Dinner at the Holiday Inn.
Given awards by the Italian Heritage Society were Tony Tesoro, Dr. Henry Romano, and Livia Falcicchio. More than 300 attended.
Matt Cheche served as the master of ceremonies. Cheche began the awards by thanking Joseph Camardo for his tireless work in advancing the ideals of the Italian Heritage Society.
Camardo then praised U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri for being the first person of Italian-American descent to represent Auburn in Washington, D.C. Arcuri reflected, as did many others, on his ancestors that struck out for an uncertain new life in this nation.
“They left their beautiful homeland of Italy, coming here and making this country their own. But they never forgot how important Italy was to them, and they instilled in all of us what is so important - the love of country, the love of family,” said Arcuri, who is in his first term.
Cheche then introduced Auburn men's clothing store owner Tony Tesoro, noting the artistic legacy of Italians for hundreds of years. He said Tesoro “exemplifies our quest for perfection,” adding he is also “the fastest talking tailor in the East.”
But Tesoro's short speech Sunday was deliberate and heartfelt as he told of the dream he had as a young boy to have his own clothing store. He began as a tailor's apprentice at the tender age of 7, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1954 at the age of 13.
“There were a lot of obstacles - the language barrier, a limited education. But I had many role models and I revere them very highly,” said Tesoro, whose upscale men's shop on West Genesee Street has been in operation since 1973.
For dozens of baby boomers who were born in Auburn, Romano was the first doctor who ever put a stethoscope to their chest or a tongue depressor in their mouth. But Romano started his career in a sauerkraut factory in Syracuse while growing up in an Italian-German neighborhood.
In 1951, he opened his pediatric practice in Auburn and is still working today as the medical director at the E. John Gavras Center. After his speech, Hannah and Jack Moore went to their grandfather at the dais and gave him a hug.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for allowing me the pleasure of taking care of your children,” said Romano, as he looked over the crowd. “It is my pleasure, and honor, to be here tonight.”
Falcicchio has donated more than 200 pints of blood in her lifetime. She is often seen at blood drives, her vest covered with pins highlighting the various milestones she has achieved for the American Red Cross and the patients it helps to keep alive.
After thanking those in attendance, Falcicchio quickly went to the subject that's dearest to her heart.
“Nationally, only four percent of the people who are eligible to give blood actually do,” she said. “The Cayuga County Chapter usually goes way over goal.”
Cayuga County and Family Court Judge Thomas Leone was to be honored as well, but he had to reluctantly decline because of new guidelines that forbid sitting judges from appearing at fundraising events.
Entertainment was provided by the “Sons of Frank”, which featured vocalist Gilda Bower. The band featured two sons of accordion player-extraordinaire Frank Mucedola, who passed away in March.
State Sen. Michael Nozzolio was the keynote speaker Sunday. He began by wishing the audience “bona sera,” good evening.
“Our Italian heritage is alive and well in this great community, and I think how fortunate I am to be the son of an Italian immigrant,” Nozzolio said.
Midway through remarks, Nozzolio asked how many people in the audience actually came from Italy. A half-dozen or so hands were raised. He then asked how many had parents who came from Italy. Three to four times as many hands then went up.
“And how many had their grandparents emigrate to this great country?” he asked. Dozens of people smiled as they answered in the affirmative to that question.
“We all share that common bond. I can certainly say its an honor to serve you as your New York state Senator, but there is no greater honor than being up here tonight with these fine Auburnians who have distinguished themselves in a variety of fields and endeavors,” he said.
Matt Cheche served as the master of ceremonies. Cheche began the awards by thanking Joseph Camardo for his tireless work in advancing the ideals of the Italian Heritage Society.
Camardo then praised U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri for being the first person of Italian-American descent to represent Auburn in Washington, D.C. Arcuri reflected, as did many others, on his ancestors that struck out for an uncertain new life in this nation.
“They left their beautiful homeland of Italy, coming here and making this country their own. But they never forgot how important Italy was to them, and they instilled in all of us what is so important - the love of country, the love of family,” said Arcuri, who is in his first term.
Cheche then introduced Auburn men's clothing store owner Tony Tesoro, noting the artistic legacy of Italians for hundreds of years. He said Tesoro “exemplifies our quest for perfection,” adding he is also “the fastest talking tailor in the East.”
But Tesoro's short speech Sunday was deliberate and heartfelt as he told of the dream he had as a young boy to have his own clothing store. He began as a tailor's apprentice at the tender age of 7, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1954 at the age of 13.
“There were a lot of obstacles - the language barrier, a limited education. But I had many role models and I revere them very highly,” said Tesoro, whose upscale men's shop on West Genesee Street has been in operation since 1973.
For dozens of baby boomers who were born in Auburn, Romano was the first doctor who ever put a stethoscope to their chest or a tongue depressor in their mouth. But Romano started his career in a sauerkraut factory in Syracuse while growing up in an Italian-German neighborhood.
In 1951, he opened his pediatric practice in Auburn and is still working today as the medical director at the E. John Gavras Center. After his speech, Hannah and Jack Moore went to their grandfather at the dais and gave him a hug.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for allowing me the pleasure of taking care of your children,” said Romano, as he looked over the crowd. “It is my pleasure, and honor, to be here tonight.”
Falcicchio has donated more than 200 pints of blood in her lifetime. She is often seen at blood drives, her vest covered with pins highlighting the various milestones she has achieved for the American Red Cross and the patients it helps to keep alive.
After thanking those in attendance, Falcicchio quickly went to the subject that's dearest to her heart.
“Nationally, only four percent of the people who are eligible to give blood actually do,” she said. “The Cayuga County Chapter usually goes way over goal.”
Cayuga County and Family Court Judge Thomas Leone was to be honored as well, but he had to reluctantly decline because of new guidelines that forbid sitting judges from appearing at fundraising events.
Entertainment was provided by the “Sons of Frank”, which featured vocalist Gilda Bower. The band featured two sons of accordion player-extraordinaire Frank Mucedola, who passed away in March.
State Sen. Michael Nozzolio was the keynote speaker Sunday. He began by wishing the audience “bona sera,” good evening.
“Our Italian heritage is alive and well in this great community, and I think how fortunate I am to be the son of an Italian immigrant,” Nozzolio said.
Midway through remarks, Nozzolio asked how many people in the audience actually came from Italy. A half-dozen or so hands were raised. He then asked how many had parents who came from Italy. Three to four times as many hands then went up.
“And how many had their grandparents emigrate to this great country?” he asked. Dozens of people smiled as they answered in the affirmative to that question.
“We all share that common bond. I can certainly say its an honor to serve you as your New York state Senator, but there is no greater honor than being up here tonight with these fine Auburnians who have distinguished themselves in a variety of fields and endeavors,” he said.
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The Truth wrote on Oct 8, 2007 7:17 PM: