The Italian American Community Center will hold its first Men of the Year awards to recognize accomplishments of Rochester-area men of Italian descent.
These men represent a cross section of the community, with accomplishments in the fine arts, business, education, civic affairs/government and health care/science.
This year, six men and a young scholar will be honored on Thursday, Sept. 23 in the center grand ballroom, 150 Frank DiMino Way in Gates. Festivities begin with a cash bar at 7 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 each and may be reserved through Sept. 16 by calling the center at 594-8882.
Cav. Giovanni Sanfilippo of Gates
This year’s Fine Arts Award goes to Sanfilippo, a local artist who was knighted as cavaliere by the Italian government in 1995.
He was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, where he earned his Diploma di Maturità Artistica and pursued his interest in sculpture at the Academia delle Belle Arti. In 1969, he left Italy and came to Rochester. In 1992, Sanfilippo was selected as the sole artist to create the Columbus Quincentennial painting for Monroe County’s Columbus 500 Celebration. Sanfilippo is currently the chairman of the arts for the center. He has donated his art to help raise funds for local charities including, Camp Good Days & Special Times, the Rochester Opera House, WXXI Public Broadcasting, the Italian American Community Center, Sports for the World’s Children, and a private fundraiser for a young Italian woman, Carmela Magliano, who was suffering from Hodgkin’s Disease. He and his wife of 40 years, Anita, are the parents of two and the grandparents of two.
John Colaruotolo of Fairport
The Business Award will be presented to John Colaruotolo, who is president of ANCO Builders in Fairport and chief winemaker of Casa Larga Vineyards.
His father, Andrew Colaruotolo, was born in Gaeta, Italy, and came to the United States with a dream of making a better life for his family. Andrew founded ANCO Builders. With his son John, the current president, has actively developed residential communities in the town of Perinton for the last 30 years. John helped his dad in both the building business and the vineyard as Andrew experimented with planting grapes and making wine on 40 acres of farm land in Fairport. Currently, John is the chief winemaker for Casa Larga Vineyards and one of his creations, Fiore Vidal ice wine, won the Trophy for Best Dessert Wine from the 2008 International Wine & Spirits Competition in London, England. John’s property management company, RESOURCE ONE, manages rental communities in Perinton and is expanding its commercial and residential accounts. In the community, has been awarded the Lumina Lux Award for leadership for the Nazareth Schools, is past president of the Italian Heritage Foundation, and past president of Rochester Builders’ Association and a member of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance. Colaruotolo is married to Marie and they have three children.
Dr. James J. DeCaro of Pittsford
DeCaro is the center’s choice for Educator of the Year. Since 1971, DeCaro has been professor at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Since December 2009, DeCaro has been serving as NTID’s interim president. He is the immediate past director of PEN-International, a multinational collaborative network of colleges and universities serving deaf students. DeCaro is also immediate past director of the NTID Center on Access Technology, which focuses on applying innovative technologies for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. He also served as dean of the NTID for 14 academic years. In 2009, he was named dean emeritus by Rochester Institute of Technology. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2003 by Bauman Moscow State Technical University in Russia for his contributions to the post-secondary education of people who are deaf. He holds an honorary professorship at Tianjin University of Technology in China. In 2008, he received the FESCO award of Japan for his service to humanity. DeCaro and his spouse, Patricia Mudgett-DeCaro, are the parents of two children.
Ralph Esposito of Gates
The Civic Affairs/Government Award will be presented to Esposito, former Town of Gates Supervisor and Monroe County legislator.
Esposito was the longest-serving supervisor in Gates until he retired on Dec. 31, 2009. Esposito has been supportive of the center’s efforts over the years. Between 1992 to 1997, the center negotiated with Esposito and his Gates Town Board to build its facility. In 2003, the Italian American Sport Club erected a building Buffalo Road. Esposito grew up in Rochester, helping out at his dad Joe’s barbershop. While studying to become a lawyer at Fordham University, Esposito met and married his wife, Nancy, in 1965, earning his law degree in 1966. The Espositos have four children. After passing his state bar exam, Esposito worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a couple of years. In 1968, Esposito returned to Rochester to work as assistant district attorney. In 1971, he served as Gates town attorney. From 1972 to 1980, he served in the Monroe County Legislature. He became Gates Town Supervisor in 1989, serving for 20 years. He volunteers at both Hope Hall in Gates and Unity Health System.
Dr. Vito Quatela of Webster
Quatela, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, is the owner of the Q Medical Spa at Lindsay House on East Avenue, is recipient of the Health Care/Sciences Award.
His parents, Charles and Elisa Quatela, were both born in Italy. Quatela serves as clinical associate professor at the University of Roches-ter’s Otolaryngology Department and fulfills the role of preceptor for an annual American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship. He currently serves the academy as senior advisor on the Membership/Residency Relations Committee and on the Fellowship Review Committee. He serves annually as a board examiner for the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery certification examinations. He formed the HUGS Foundation, Inc. in 2003 (Help Us Give Smiles). HUGS supports medical missions for children in Ecuador, where a team of surgeons and medical staff donate their time and resources in correcting deformities and other abnormalities. Quatela also serves locally on the board of CURE Childhood Cancer Association. Quatela lives in Webster with his wife, Laura, and three children.
Don Antinore of Le Roy
The Presidential Award will be presented to Don Antinore for his voluntarism and dedication to the center.
At age 17, college was a little frightening and not fulfilling for Antinore. Instead, he followed a call to enter the seminary, where he spent many years in prayer and reflection. Following that, Antinore went home to resume his college studies. Antinore then discovered professional cooking. From that moment on, work was never truly work for him, but a passion. Along the way, he met and married his wife of 44 years, Reyhan. Antinore now shares his culinary skills and knowledge with those who look to become chefs. He gives back to his colleagues across this nation as he lectures, demonstrates and judges culinary events. He is a member of the American Culinary Federation and this year was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs Culinary Hall of Fame.
Alexander Vivinetto of Greece
The Italian American Community Center Young Man of the Year Scholarship, sponsored by D’Agostino General Contractors Inc., is going to Alexander Vivinetto of for his academic achievements and role in assisting the community.
He is the son of Joseph and Mary Beth Vivinetto, is the grandson of Cosmo and Anna Vivinetto, members of the center, and has a 13-year-old brother, Jack Vivinetto. Alexander will be a senior at Greece Athena High School later this month. In his junior year, he was ranked in the top 10 percent of his class. He has aspirations of going onto college and become a history teacher. Alexander has studied the Italian language for three years, is a member of the Athena Symphonic Band and the Catholic Youth Organization basketball program. He has worked as a clerk at a local farm market and at a local car wash, and is a volunteer at St. John’s Home.
