Nutley/Belleville - Columbus Day Parade Guide - October 8, 2023

The 41st Annual NutleyBelleville Columbus Day Parade and Flag-Raising

The Nutley Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee will be hosting the largest Italian American Event in Essex County this month.

This year’s Columbus Day Parade is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 8, starting at 1:30 p.m. The parade route starts at Belleville High School proceeds north on Franklin Avenue and ends at Nutley High School.

The Belleville Chapter of UNICO and the Federation of Italian American Societies of New Jersey will hold their Annual Columbus Day Flag Raising on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m. at Belleville Town Hall on Washington Avenue.

The Nutley Chapter of UNICO will hold their Annual Columbus Day Flag Raising at 11 a.m. at Nutley Town Hall on Chestnut Street.

The 2023 Grand Marshal Award was presented to Cavalieres Maria and Vincenzo Di Paolo of DiPaolo Bakery and Redwood Realty Inc.

The Gala Honoree Dinner was held on Sept. 20, at Nanina’s in the Park.

This year’s parade will be celebrating 41 years of promoting, protecting and preserving Italian Heritage, Culture and Traditions. The parade will have more than 800 participants and more than 50 entries, which include marching bands, drill teams, antique automobiles, motorcycles, floats, flags, zeppole stands and representation from many local town organizations. There will be face painting and balloon bounce houses and slides for the children. More than 3,000 spectators are expected to attend.

The parade reviewing stand will be at Franklin Avenue at the Oval in Nutley. The parade committee asks that people join them in celebrating the maritime accomplishments of Christopher Columbus and Italian Heritage.

Columbus Day Parade Committee officers

Parade Chairperson......................................................Edie Peters Liguori

Parade Co-Chairperson................................................Melissa Matturro Secretary.......................................................................Rosemary Costa Treasurer......................................................................Barbara Freda Trustee.........................................................................Rosemary Costa

Columbus Day Parade Committee members

Rev. Father Tom Nicastro

Cav. Pasquale Meola

Cav. Susan R. LaMorte

Jeanne Lombardi

Anthony Santasieri

Bill Freda

Diane Stanzione

Vito Matturro

Joseph Gencarelli

Vincent Cozzarelli

Parade Founders

John V. Kelly

James Donadia

Members of the Columbus Day Parade Committee gather for a photo.

Maria and Vincenzo DiPaolo are grand marshals

Maria has won many honors for her contributions to preserving Italian heritage, culture

Cavaliere Maria Di Paolo 2023 Grand Marshal

Maria Di Paolo started her career as a real estate professional in 1975 with Redwood Realty Inc. where she was an immediate success utilizing her Italian language and working with dedication, honesty and care.

In 1978 she entered into the Real Estate Million Dollar Club and remained there for many years becoming broker and owner of Redwood Realty Inc.

In 2008, The Italian Tribune honored Maria as “Woman of the Year 2008.” She also received a commendation from the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders for her active involvement in promoting, protecting and preserving Italian Heritage, Traditions and Culture.

This honor was published in many newspapers including Il Ponte Rivista USA, Il Ponte News Italy, America Oggi and Il Mattino’ – a newspaper from the Campania Region in Italy, Maria’s home of origin.

In 2013, Maria was selected “Woman of the Year'' by the Morning Star Society of New York for her work in supporting a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease.

She also received the privilege of being sponsored by Cavaliere Mattia Ciipriano as “Dama Benemerita del Accademia Fed-

Main Store: 973-235-1213

Hours: Sunday to Saturday 7am - 11pm

Prime Shop: 973-235-0032

Hours: Sunday to Saturday 8am - 7pm

eraione and “Nobile

Confraternita della Madonna del Rosario.”

Maria was also honored at the Feast of Culture & Friendship at Gavo Restaurant in Armonk, N.Y., where Princess Patrizia Livreri awarded her with two recognitions for her cultural and community service.

She is a member of the Center of Italian & Italian American Culture in Cedar Grove, N.J., a longtime member of the Verona Chapter of Commerce, a supporter of the New Jersey Opera and a supporter of the Center for the Arts Museum at Casa Colombo, Jersey City.

She also belongs to the Association of Guardia Lombardi (Avelino) of Mount Vernon, N.Y.

In 2014, she was honored by the Federation of Italian American Societies of New Jersey as “2014 Woman of the Year” and is currently actively involved with the Federation and an avid supporter of sponsoring the Italian Carabinieri for their participation in the New York and Nutley Belleville Columbus Day Parades.

Maria is happily married to Vincenzo Di Paolo, successful founder and former owner of Di Paolo Bakery in Verona.

They have a wonderful family that includes children, grandchildren and many special friends.

Maria, left, and Vincenzo DiPaolo, right, are the 2023 grand marshals.

Italian immigrant, beloved baker, shares honor with wife

Vincenzo Di Paolo

2023

Grand Marshal

Vincenzo DiPaolo emigrated to the United States in 1956 along with his mother, father, three brothers and sister, from Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy where he had apprenticed as a baker at DeCecco Pastificio E Bakery.

He worked at local bakeries for the next 2 ½ years until at the age of 20 when he opened the first DiPaolo Bakery on Sixth Avenue in Newark.

In 1980, he opened a small bakery on Bloomfield Avenue in Verona. By that time, he had established himself and developed a following, so it wasn’t surprising that lines would form down the street and around the block.

So in 1983 to accommodate the volume of customers, he built a traditional Italian bakery in the heart of Verona to the delight of the patrons from all over.

Being a kind man with a good heart, it wasn’t surprising that he would donate his delicious bakery items to local soup kitchens, churches and senior centers. Children from the town would go to his bakery after school every day to get the free snacks that Vincenzo would have waiting for them.

Additionally, at that time, the Essex County Hospital was located in Verona

not too far from the bakery so they were able to walk to get their free snacks as well.

After 52 years as a baker and running his business, Vincenzo retired. He and Maria DiPaolo have been married for more than 42 years working side by side. They are active members of the Federation of Italian American Societies of New Jersey.

To the delight of his family and friends Vincenzo enjoys making his own wine and delicious food at any opportunity. An annual celebration is held every December 13 at their home in Essex Fells, to honor Vincenzo’s mother Lucia who was named for St. Lucy.

After a blessing of the wine by Father Brian Page, the festivities are enjoyed by many friends with food, wine and dancing. Vincenzo also enjoys watching Italian soccer games on RAI and all American sports.

He enjoys his life to the fullest whether it is zipping around in his Fiat Spider or Vespa, playing on his bocce court, making pizza in his brick oven, planting his yearly grapes, or single handedly building an extraordinary cantina during the COVID pandemic.

Vincenzo DIpaolo is the embodiment of a true Italian.

Genuario’s spiritual home is at St. Lucy’s Church

Dennis A. Genuario

2023 Italian Heritage Award

Dennis Genuario was born in Newark to a loving Italian American family.

He lived with his parents Anthony and Anna Genuario and his brother Walter Genuario. He graduated Barringer High School in 1967 and graduated from Rutgers University-Newark Campus in 1971 with a degree in economics.

Dennis served in the New Jersey National Guard from 1970 – 1976 in the 250th Signal Battalion based initially in Orange and then relocated to South Plainfield.

Dennis has been employed with the NJ Manufacturers Insurance Co. for 50 years.

His spiritual home has been at St. Lucy’s Church in Newark, where the Genuario family has worshiped for more than 125 years. St. Lucy’s is an Italian National

Church and has been the center of Italian culture in New Jersey for 150 years.

Dennis has been a member of the St. Lucy Guard of Honor for more than 30 years. As a member of the Guard of Honor, he has helped organize and participate in the Feast of St. Gerard Maiella.

The Guard of Honor are the guardians of keeping the beautiful traditions and devotion to St. Gerard alive and thriving. St. Gerard is the patron saint of expectant mothers and women praying to become mothers. This year is the 124th anniversary of the St. Gerard’s Feast which is celebrated on Oct. 16 each year at St. Lucy’s Church.

St. Lucy’s welcomes devotees of St. Gerard from all over the world praying to become mothers.

As a Guard of Honor member, he has witnessed many petitions from women

and couples praying to conceive a child. He has also witnessed the miracle of these same devotees returning to the Feast of St. Gerard with an infant child giving thanks to St. Gerard for his blessings.

Dennis and his wife, Edith, have witnessed this miracle themselves, praying to St. Gerard everyday for five years and being blessed with a daughter, Toni Genuario – the greatest blessing the Lord could bestow on them.

Dennis has been blessed to be able to continue his devotion to St. Gerard with his family for three generations at St. Lucy allowing him to continue to promote, protect and preserve our Italian heritage, culture and traditions.

He is extremely proud of his Italian Heritage and vows to continue to keep Italian heritage, culture and traditions thriving.

offer a variety of vegan dishes!

Dennis A. Genuario

Calello has worked for several Italian ambassadors

Elisabetta Calello

2023 Lifetime Achievement

Elisabetta Calello was born in Italy in a small Calabrian town.

In July of 1955, her parents, Michele and Cesarina Calello, left their beloved Italy in search of a better economic life for their children in the United States. Since their arrival, Elisabetta, together with her brother, Giuseppe and sister, Rosa Maria, have lived in New Jersey.

Elisabetta started her civil service employment with the Consulate General of Italy in New York on Feb. 1, 1973 and after having worked in various departments under H.E. Ambassador Vieri Traxler, H.E. Ambassador. Alessandro Cortese de Bosis and H.E. Ambassador Giulio di Lorenzo, H.E. Ambassador Francesco Corrias requested that she be part of his office.

Calello subsequently continued as assistant to the Consul General with H.E. Ambassador Alberto Boniver, H.E. Ambassador Franco Mistretta, H.E.Ambassador Giorgio Radicati, H.E.

Ambassador Antonio Bandini, H.E Ambassador Francesco Talò, and H.E. Ambassador Natalia Quintavalle, until her retirement on Nov. 1, 2015.

In her almost 43 years of public service, she counts her service to the Italian American community as her greatest achievement. Elisabetta’s respect and admiration for all that Italian Americans have achieved in the face of adversity, while securing a better future for the next generation, was eloquently stated by H.E. Ambassador Antonio Bandini. “Lisa not only embodies the best model of a public servant, but she possesses those ethical and moral virtues of love of one's own family, community and country which unite our two nations and all those who draw from both Italy and the United States their heritage and culture: the Italians of America.”

Elisabetta is also a board member of the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee, vice president of the Association of Italian American Educators and Vice President of the Associazione Della Madonna Della Fontana.

Elisabetta Calello

Cahill is a true business leader

Renee Friscia Cahill

2023 Italian American Business Leader

Renee was born in Clara Maass hospital to Aurelio “Larry” Friscia who was from Belleville and Mary Friscia formerly Trignano who was born in Nutley. Renee, one of three children, has two brothers, Leonard and John.

Her husband is Michael Cahill. They have no children but do have five nieces and nephews that they spoil: Jackie Friscia, Danny Friscia, Bernie Lynch, Sarah Lynch and Michael Lynch. Renee is an avid Bruce Springsteen fan and has seen him more than 100 times and even traveled to Italy to see him. She loves to bake, especially cookies. Also she loves to travel, listen to live music, go to the theater and movies and of course the beach.

Renee’s paternal grandfather was born in New York City but his parents were from Sciacca, Sicily. Her paternal grandmother was from Doagh, Ireland and her maternal grandpa, Trignano, was born in Ariano Irpino in Campania. Her maternal grandmother Trignano was born on Roma Street in Nutley from parents who came from Acri in Calabria.

Renee has explored her roots and seen all the villages her ancestors are from –probably the best part of her travels.

Renee grew up in Woodland Park and attended Passaic Valley High School. She’s a proud graduate of Seton Hall University with a BS in marketing. She start-

Rewriting the Rules of Retirement

ed working for her father who was a State Farm agent and for whom she worked while attending college. She became an agent in 1995 working first in Bloomfield before moving to Nutley in 2001. Renee has achieved Bronze Tablet status with State Farm. Her greatest pleasure with being an agent for State Farm is that she gets to work in the community with local businesses.

Renee takes great pride in not just being a 1-800 insurance company; “Like a good neighbor” is not just a slogan to her. She feels it is imperative to support the local community that has supported her business.

Renee is a member of the Nutley Chamber of Commerce and a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pompton Plains. Renee is very proud of her Italian Heritage and feels this honor is very heartwarming.

Renee Friscia Cahill

Restaurant owner took a chance

Matthew Tyahla

2023 Community Excellence Award

Taking a chance on a dream – it’s an entrepreneurial tale of dishrags to riches, of a busboy becoming a businessman.

Matthew Tyahla’s career in the foodservice industry began humbly at La Finestra, an Italian restaurant located a stone’s throw from his home on Vincem Drive. After repeatedly bugging the restaurant’s owner to see if he was hiring, Tyahla finally got his way and, at 14 years old, landed his first job serving as a food-runner and busboy on the weekends.

“I fell in love with the business from day one,” he said.

Now owner of Matthew’s Italian Restaurant, Matthew Tyahla stayed at La Finestra for the next two years until it closed in 2000. His subsequent job search did not last long and he began again as a food-runner at the Bloomfield Avenue establishment Bella Napoli which later became Cafe d’ Amici.

After becoming a busboy, Tyahla later joined the waitstaff, working diligently through high school and college up until the last table was cleared and Cafe d’Amici closed.

Through good and bad times, his co-workers said the enterprising Clifton native remained a reliable stalwart for staff and customers to lean on.

With a decade spent at the eatery, Tyahla had not only learned the restaurant business from the inside out but was also armed with a degree in business communications from Ramapo College.

Although just 26 years old, Tyahla said he had been saving up his money since he was five years

old and saw the closure of Cafe d’Amici as a potential once-in-a-lifetime break.

“I’d been waiting a long time for an opportunity to come along and when it did, I put everything on the line,” he said. “I reacted very quickly [because] my dream always was to have a restaurant of my own.”

While aware of the risk and challenges which punctuated the decision, Tyahla did not seek financial backing from family or friends and instead sought to acquire the restaurant himself. He said the restaurant’s future lay entirely on his shoulders and, as its sole owner, so did the risk.

Over the next 100 days Tyahla sifted through a seemingly endless collection of permits, applications, registrations, fees and contracts.

“There was a lot of work, which was at times a bit overwhelming, especially because the initial process was something that was never taught during my formal education,” he said.

Mathew’s Italian Restaurant officially opened its doors on Dec. 14, 2010. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, the establishment serves up some of Tyahla’s favorites including seafood salad, stuffed artichoke, zuppa di clams and linguini Marechera as well as a filet mignon that he said is “off the charts.”

“It’s a dream that became a reality. I’m confident in this place, this location, the food and myself to make this work. I truly enjoy coming to work to the point where I don’t even think of this as work. It’s a true passion,” he said.

Matthew is actively involved in many community activities, always being the first to lend his support in any way possible.

followed his dream

Matthew Tyahla

Caggiano is Belleville Italian Man of

Peter E. Caggiano

2023 Belleville Italian Man of the Year

On Aug. 5, 1959, Pete was born at Columbus Hospital in Newark – a funny coincidence since he is “Man of the Year” for the Columbus Day Parade. He attended grammar school at St. Rocco’s Parish. When he was eight years old his mother died, leaving his father to raise Pete and his older sister, Marianne.

Although his dad never graduated from high school, he stressed the importance of education to Pete and his sister. Pete attended Essex Catholic High School in Newark, where he started his journey in athletics. He played football and wrestled throughout high school, placing in various tournaments. He was able to learn the value of having a good work ethic during high school since he was passionate about the two sports and kept up with his academics.

Pete often reflects about his father and the life he lived. He dedicated his life to providing a beautiful life for his children. His dad worked tirelessly as a factory worker and on the weekends, he was a security guard at Pinkerton Security. Pete believes that he inherited his father’s strong work ethic.

After graduating from high school in 1977, Pete attended Kean University in Union where he wrestled for all four years, the last two years as captain of the

team. Pete was also the president of his fraternity, Sigma Theta Chi, and also held office on the student council.

In 1983, he graduated from Kean University with a B.A. in business management. His college years broadened his outlook on life, as he ventured into the world, excited to see what was awaiting him.

Pete ran several successful small businesses throughout his career. He was a partner at Nautilus Fitness Center in Belleville and a restaurant and bar named

Year

“The Feedbag” in Bloomfield. These two small businesses gave him the opportunity to learn and allowed him to be able to own and operate “Donny’s Dogs” in Newark, a local hot dog truck for 37 years.

During his years at Donny’s Dogs, Pete was named the number one hot dog truck in the state of New Jersey. He was also blessed being able to purchase and operate a concession trailer, working alongside his fiancé, Patricia Yuksel. She has been by his side through the ups and downs and has been the backbone of all his successes.

As things were on auto pilot with the food industry businesses, Pete ventured into real estate, owning and managing multiple properties in the area.

Living in Belleville has brought Pete to various heights such as serving on the financial board of St. Rocco’s Church in Newark, and a political district leader in his ward.

Currently, he is serving as the president of the Bellville UNICO chapter. This charitable organization is the largest Italian American organization in the U.S. As a proud Italian American, Pete is also a member of the Federation of the Italian American Societies of New Jersey. Pete was also nominated for the Essex Catholic Hall of Fame for 2023.

Pete is truly humbled to be “Man of the Year” for Belleville in this year’s Columbus Day celebration.

Peter E. Caggiano

Carnicella is Nutley Italian Man of the Year

Daniel A. Carnicella

2023 Nutley Italian Man of the Year

Daniel A Carnicella was born in the Ironbound Section of Newark.

In 1989 his family moved to Nutley, where he attended Nutley High School and graduated in 1993. Daniel attended Essex County College and Kean University, earning a degree in criminal justice. Daniel currently resides in Nutley along with his wife Linda, daughter Chelsea and stepson Christian.

Daniel is an avid road cyclist and CrossFit coach at Golden Phoenix Nutley and CrossFit Cedar Grove.

In 2001, he began his career with New York Life Insurance Co. as a financial service representative helping individuals and businesses navigate the complex environment of insurance and investing.

In 2005, he opened DC Financial Group, Inc., located on Franklin Avenue in Nutley. In 2009 he expanded his practice to include property and casualty coverage and risk management services.

In August of 2022, Daniel accepted a promotion with New York Life and is now involved in the hiring, training and development of new financial representatives and wealth managers. He became a partner in the New Jersey General Office in April of 2023.

Daniel believes, as a people, we have a responsibility to put good in the world

and has given back in many ways to his community of Nutley and many charitable organizations.

In 2013, he successfully secured an elected position on the Nutley Board of Education, holding several leadership roles throughout his nine-year tenure. Daniel coordinated a grant partnership with New York Life and Nutley Rotary to support bereavement counseling for district students and families. He finished his third term in 2022 and focused on his new role with New York Life. Aside from his time on the Board of Education, he is the current president of Nutley UNICO, an Italian–American service organization promoting Italian culture and heritage and raising funds to support local scholarships and community service opportunities.

He is also a member and past president of Nutley Rotary and a member of Nutley Elks which also supports our local community. In 2020, Daniel and his family aligned with A New Chance Rescue as a foster family for dogs in need of their forever homes.

Daniel’s roots stem from the Lantina region of Italy. Surrounded by the essence of Italian culture and heritage there is always time dedicated to family traditions that include making “Salsa in Agosto,” “Vino a Settembre” and “Salsiccia a Gennaio.”

Daniel A. Carnicella

Bacardi is Belleville Italian Woman of the Year

Frances Bacardi

2023 Belleville Italian Woman of the Year

Born and raised in Newark to first-generation Italian parents, Frances Bacardi has always been surrounded by rich Italian culture.

She left the nest to attend Boston College, where she received a bachelor of science in accounting before moving to New York City to work in banking.

Eventually, Frances made her way back to New Jersey –and her Italian parents – where she went to work for her father, James Cicenia, at Elgate Corp. in Lyndhurst.

Upon her father’s retirement, Frances immersed herself in even more Italian culture by working at her family’s furniture and appliance store, The 8 Ciccolini Brothers, in Nutley.

Throughout all these significant milestones, Frances raised two daughters surrounded by their Italian village. She required them to attend Sunday dinners weekly to immerse them in family, food and culture.

Her daughter Francesca went on to write her college application essay about the importance of Sunday dinner, which landed her at Boston College in Frances’ footsteps. Her older daughter, Isa, studied at George Washington University.

When her family decided to close their historic store, Frances moved to the Belleville Public Library to become the Interim Library Director. She works with the Friends of the Library to help raise money and oversees the building and grounds.

Frances is also in charge of making sure the library is stocked with a wide variety of books, scheduling monthly events including free English as a Second Language classes for adults.

She focuses on making the library a comfortable place for the community to come to relax, learn and enjoy what the library has to offer.

She is proud of her Italian heritage, culture and traditions.

Frances Bacardi

Monterosa is Nutley Woman of the Year

Linda Monterosa

2023 Nutley Italian Woman of the Year

Linda Monterosa was born in Newark on May 9, 1953, to Walter and Emma Tice, who have been married for 70 years.

Linda moved to Nutley when she was three years old, attended Radcliffe Elementary School, Nutley Middle School, and graduated from Nutley High School. She is also a graduate of Katharine Gibbs Business School.

Linda’s grandfather came to the United States when he was 2 years old from Calabria. He was the oldest of four siblings. She grew up with all the Italian customs which she still celebrates to this day. She loves hearing the family speaking in Italian because that was the only way to communicate with her great grandmother.

Linda was so thankful she had her in her life for 15 years and learned many Italian traditions from her.

Linda is a parishioner at St. Mary’s Parish where she made all her sacraments. She is a member of the Rosary Society and has been a first grade CCD teacher for many years.

Linda has been married to her husband, Lloyd, for 49 years. Together they have two children, Carmela and Anthony, and three grandchildren, Gianna, Nicholas and Jonathan. While her children were in school, she was a member of the PTA and a Brownie and Girls Scout leader. She was an office manager for 35 years and retired four years ago.

Linda and her husband have been members of Nutley Elks for 39 years. She was a member of The Livingston Does for 25 years, Nutley Women’s Club for 15 years and was a member of the Junior Women’s Club for five years.

Linda has been a lifetime resident of Nutley and she is very thankful her family chose this beautiful town of Nutley. Three generations of her family have been raised in Nutley and she is grateful watching her grandson grow up in this amazing town too.

Dennis A. Genuario

Grand Marshals of the Nutley Belleville Columbus Day Parade

Grand Marshals of the NutleyBelleville Columbus Parade:

1983...Carmen Orechio and Michael Marotti

1984...Angelo Bianchi

1985...James Orsini

1986…James Piro

1987…Richard Ruffalo

1988…Dr. Nicholas L. DePace

1989…Elena Scambio

1990…Frank Vincent

1991…Ron Carey

1992…Vincent LoCurcio

1993…Judge Anthony Amonscata

1994…Mario Pavone

1995…Anthony Biondi

1996…Antoinette Marone and Anthony Iannarone

1997…Robert Gaccione

1998…State Sen. Garry Furnari

1999…Rick Cerrone

2000…Joseph Pepe

2001…Dr. Manny Alfano

2002…Co-Grand Marshals: Mayor Peter Scarpelli; Joanne Cocchiola; Carmen Orechio; State Sen. Garry Furnari; Mauro Tucci; Mayor Gerry

DiGori; Louis Pallante; Nicholas Auriemma; Thomas Fuscaldo; Michael Melham and William Escott

2003…Vincent “Jimmy” Donaddia

2004…Ralph Caputo of Belleville and John V. Kelly of Nutley

2005…Cavaliere Joseph Coccia Jr.

2006…Joseph Maselli

2007…Paul Di Gaetano

2008…Dr. Sandra Lee

2009…Msgr. Paul Bochicchio

2010…Connie Francis

2011…Joseph Cervasio

2012…Paul Alongi

2013…Pasquale A. Megaro Jr.

2014…Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. Granato

2015…Vincent Micco

2016…Barry Maurillo, Joe Maurillo and Cav. Vito Cucci

2017…Alfred O. Lembo Jr.

2018…Andre’ DiMino

2019…A. J. Buddy Fortunato

2020-21…Anthony J. Pope, Esq.

2022…Tina Cervasio

2023…Cavalieres Maria & Vincenzo DiPaolo

Macaluso is mom, mentor, designer

Charla Macaluso

2023 Renaissance Woman

Charla Belfiore Macaluso is a third generation Italian American born in 1983 and raised in Bloomfield before moving to East Hanover 20 years ago.

She is the proud daughter of Donald and Grace Ann Belfiore and sister to Donald and Valarie. She is a 2001 graduate of Mount St. Dominic Academy and a 2005 graduate of Monmouth University with a bachelor of arts degree with a concentration in graphic design and computer graphics.

During college, she studied a semester abroad in London, traveling to more than 14 countries including Italy which was one of the best times of her life. She was fortunate to travel to Italy a few times between school and family trips over the years and each time immersed herself in the culture of her heritage and loved every minute of it, especially the art and food.

She went on to work as a graphic designer and prepress manager for a digital printing company for more than 13 years before changing careers and becoming an assistant to the athletic director of Millburn High School while remaining in the graphic design world as a freelancer.

In 2015, she married her husband Giuseppe (Joe) Macaluso and they have a beautiful daughter Giovanna, age 6, who is their greatest joy and biggest blessing.

Her parents, Donald and Grace Ann Belfiore, are originally from Newark’s First Ward. They raised her and her siblings with strong Italian values centered around family and faith.

Sundays were always spent at church followed by a big family dinner of “macaroni and meatballs” with a lot of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. This family tradition continues today and she hopes to instill this in her

daughter and nieces as well.

Charla and her family have been parishioners of St. Lucy’s Church in Newark all their lives and for the last 15 years Charla has been a volunteer member of the St. Gerard Committee following in her mother’s footsteps, helping to preserve the Italian traditions at St. Lucy’s Church which includes the St. Gerard Feast, the St. Gerard birthday mass as well as many other fundraising events held throughout the years for St. Lucy’s Church.

Her faith and devotion to St. Gerard is a major part of her life and gives her strength in all things. In 2019 at the age of 35, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and thankfully after treatment and surgery is now a survivor of three years and counting.

Although cancer turned her life upside down, she has embraced this part of her life in trying to help others. She took part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Newark and set up fundraisers for Memorial Sloan Kettering and the American Cancer Society each year since she became a survivor. She has found strength in being a friend and mentor to others who have been diagnosed and shares advice to help the next person who must go through this battle.

Breast cancer is a part of her story and she hopes to make a difference in helping others with cancer.

She feels very lucky and grateful to be a survivor and so thankful for the support of her wonderful family and friends.

Charla loves her family, friends, traveling, enjoying time at the Jersey Shore and most of all being a mom to Giovanna.

She is a member of the East Hanover PTA and loves volunteering in her daughter’s school and sports activities. If life has taught her one thing, it is to enjoy every minute we have and she plans on always doing that.

Charla Macaluso

Lavin was knighted by Prince Carlo for his work

Cavaliere Eric J. Lavin

2023 Renaissance Man

Eric was born in Hackensack to Victoriano and Elisabeth Lavin on Nov. 18, 1994. He is a lifelong resident of North Arlington. Growing up, Eric spent all his weekends, holidays, and vacations with his maternal grandmother, Antonia Calello, in the Ironbound section of Newark. The Spilingesi immigrated to Newark in the early 1900’s.

He grew up around Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and worked closely with the late Very Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Ambrosio who was a mentor and a second father to Eric. As such he has had and continues to maintain many roles at OLMC including being its pastoral associate and business manager.

He has recently spearheaded the annual Feast of Madonna della Fontana and St. Michael and that of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, one of the oldest in the state of New Jersey. For his efforts, he was knighted by Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies in April of 2019 as Cavaliere in the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George.

In November of 2022 he was appointed by His Eminence Joseph William Cardinal Tobin to be the coordinator of the Italian Apostolate, the first layperson in the Archdiocese to hold such a role.

Eric is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a degree in modern languages and secondary education and most recently a graduate from Columbia University with a degree in Italian. Currently, Eric teaches Italian and Spanish at James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell. He also presents at conferences with the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission/ Department of Education on current trends in the Italian classroom, and lessons pertaining to various aspects of Italian language and culture.

Eric attributes his passion for Italian language and culture to his grandmother, Antonia Calello. Having been raised in the Ironbound section of Newark, amidst the last vestiges of the Spilingese community there, he credits all the many individuals who made an impact on his appreciation and love of that community and of the City of Newark.

He was instrumental in organizing the Sister Cities of the City of Newark and Comune di Spilinga on July 6, 2022 and in October of 2022 organized the first Italian Flag Raising at Newark City Hall in some decades. On Oct. 1, 2023, the City of Newark will once again raise the Italian flag in honor of Italian heritage, culture and traditions.

Eric J. Lavin