SIAMO UNA FAMIGLIA
LUCA ENNIO DiTULLIO IS BORN!
AMHS congratulates members Robert and Bess DiTullio on the birth of their son, Luca Ennio DiTullio, who came to this world on December 10, 2014, a wonderful early Christmas present for the whole family, especially for big sister Sofia. Sofia is so delighted to have a baby brother in her life. Grandparents Emma and Ennio are very proud and look forward to some babysitting time. Luca joins the third generation of DiTullios in the United States. Needless to say, the entire family is on Cloud Nine! Tanti auguri a tutti! (submitted by Ennio & Emma DiTullio)
On Saturday, February 14, 2015, in front of 125 AMHS and Lucchesi Club friends and family, on the occasion of Carnevale 2015, AMHS member Sam Yothers asked our daughter, Maria D’Andrea, to marry him.
Maria was incredibly shocked – which may explain why many in the audience could not hear her say “YES!” The couple, who met on Match.com, has been together for four years and has already enjoyed a rich and fulfilling life, which will only continue in their future.
We were very proud to lay witness to this most joyous event. As this will be the second wedding for both, the couple is planning a destination wedding (just the two of them) and honeymoon in Hawaii in February 2016. Their plans are to summit Mauna Kea, the highest peak in Hawaii (13,000+ feet), and be married at the top. (No wedding on the beach for this outdoor, adventurous duo). They will hold a reception for family and friends upon their return. We wish the couple a long and happy life together. (submitted by Lucio and Edvige D’Andrea).
CONGRATULATIONS, JOE LUPO AMHS
member Dr. Joseph Lupo has been named the director of the Casa Italiana Language School in Washington, D.C. He brings to his new job a wealth of professional experience combined with a deep love for the Italian language. Joe has been a leading advocate for many years for the teaching of Italian, and over the years he has worked with numerous organizations and collaborated with the education office of the Embassy of Italy.
Joe says he is setting some ambitious goals for the language school, as he explains in an interview by AMHS member Pino Cicala in the January 2015 issue of Voce Italiana. Congratulations, Joe!! (submitted by Nancy DeSanti).
BELATED CONGRATULATIONS TO PRESIDENT EMERITUS LUCIO D’ANDREA
On October 18, 2014, Lucio D’Andrea was awarded a certificate in recognition of his founding of the Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society and of his continuous work to promote Italian language and culture and to promote unity among the Italian American community in Washington, DC. The award was bestowed by Father Ezio Marchetto, pastor of Holy Rosary Church, and Cavaliere Bruno Fusco. (submitted by Maria D’Andrea).
A TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND
The recent passing of a dear friend and supporter of the Society, Will Marmura, prompts me to share with you qualities of a very wonderful human being. He was a very humble, caring and loving man. I came to know Will when we became employees of the Federal Power Commission (FPC) in the late 1950’s. That acquaintance was the beginning of a friendship that endured until his passing in December 2014. We both graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in Petroleum Engineering. He furthered his education while working at the FPC by attending George Washington University, taking classes after work to receive his law degree.
As his family noted in their farewell remarks about Will, “Everyone who crossed his path learned something special from him and was inspired by him.” Will was a bachelor for a long time. Edvige and I concluded that he was a confirmed bachelor until he met Janet. This relationship blossomed and in time they got married, had two wonderful sons and four grandchildren. They were long-time residents of Alexandria until they decided in 2011 to resettle in North Carolina. Will served the Society in a number of capacities.
He served as a member of the Board of Directors while I was President of the Society. The Board decided that the Society should seek tax-exempt status from the IRS. I turned to Will to pursue this time-consuming and demanding task. Will was on my side in May 2003 when we planned and organized a program held in Casa Italiana consisting of a presentation by Brigadier General Graziano, Army Attaché at the Embassy of Italy on “The Italian Army in Peace-Keeping and Humanitarian Missions”. This was a precedent-setting event when the Society managed to bring together several Italian American organizations as sponsors of the event, namely the National Italian American Foundation, the Order Sons of Italy in America, the Italian Cultural Society, the Lido Civic Club, and FIERI.
When the Society established the Scholarship Committee, Will was one of its ardent supporters. Another important event was held in December 2007 in Casa Italiana on “Monongah - 100 Years Later: A Commemoration of America’s Worst Mining Disaster”. That disaster took the lives of hundreds of Molisani and Abruzzesi immigrants. You will be missed, my dear friend. (submitted by AMHS President Emeritus Lucio D’Andrea).
