Italian Americans

Photo and information from the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation.

Anthony (Tony) Palmer is this year's Italian-American honoree selected by the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation.

He will be feted at the foundation's Annual Scholarship Dinner at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12^th, at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia.

One of eight student scholarship candidates will also be chosen.

The family of Vincent Gautieri, also offers a scholarship for members of the Foundation, from Genesee County and outside the County.

Tickets for the dinner are $30 and available from Foundation board members, Ben's Appliances, Kitchens and Bath, and VJ Gautieri Constructors Inc., located at 45 Liberty St. in the City of Batavia.

About Anthony Palmer -- 2019 honoree of the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation

Anthony (Tony) Palmer was born in1935, in an old Italian neighborhood, in New York City.

He is the son of George and Angelina Ambroselli Palmer. He is proud to say he is 100-percent Italian!

He moved to Olean at 7 years old where he attended school, and later graduated from St. Bonaventure University.

From 1954-1957 he admirably served his country in Far East Korea.

Two years later he married the love of his life, Margaret Cruess. Together they raised an amazing nine children: Theresa, Angela ,Joe, Ann, Mary, Eileen, Dan, Katie, and Ryan. They have 22 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

To say he is a family man is certainly an understatement! He and his wife have spent countless hours watching and volunteering at school events, sports events and, most importantly, their Catholic Church.

In 1966, Tony and his family moved to Batavia. He worked at Graham Manufacturing until his retirement in 2001.

He embraced the community and was a familiar face at numerous events and fundraisers. He credits his strong work ethic and willingness to help others, to his roots growing up as an Italian-American.

Tony has been an avid supporter of St. Joseph School and Notre Dame High School. He was past president of both schools, and ran ND Bingo for many, many years. He was inducted in Notre Dame Hall of Fame in 2001.

He has been a volunteer at the VA Hospital for an amazing 40 years. He is an Election Inspector for Genesee County.

He is a member of St. Nick’s Club, Right to Life, and St. Vincent DePaul. He is an active member of St. Mary’s Parish, where he is a Eucharistic Minister.

Tony is an excellent role model to young and old. He possess all the qualities to be awarded the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundations 2019 “Outstanding Italian American.”

To read about this year's eight scholarship candidates, click here.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation of Genesee County will honor two “Outstanding Italian-Americans” and annual scholarships will be awarded on Wednesday, June 13th, at Terry Hills in Batavia.

This year's honorees are Lucille DiSanto and Larry Hale. Candidates for scholarships are: Lauren Leone, Jacob Gualtieri and Carli Piazza.

Tickets for the dinner are available at Ben’s Appliance, V.J. Gautieri Construction or from any board member.

Guests will be served a fabulous deluxe “Italian Plate” with dessert, and the works for $30 per person. This is the one of foundation’s only fundraisers and all proceeds go to our scholarship program.

Please come out and enjoy a wonderful evening and celebrate the contributions Italian-Americans have made right here in Genesee County and our scholarship recipients.

Any questions and for reserved seating contact Michele Fuller (585) 768-7016.

About the Honorees

Lucille DiSanto

Lucille DiSanto is married to Gary DiSanto, and they are the proud parents of four children.

Andrea (Jeremy Layton), Lisa LaFornara, Vincent and Joseph DiSanto. Her grandchildren Madison and Ethan always make her smile!

While growing up in Batavia, she attended St. Mary's Elementary School, Notre Dame High School, and Genesee Community College. While going to school, she worked for her father, Paul Messina, at the Buccaneer Restaurant. She calls those years the "School of Hard Knocks."

"That is where I honed my work ethic and learned the benefit of hard work and dedication," she said.

She is extremely proud of her Italian heritage. Her father's family came from Velalunga, Sicily. Her mother, Gilda Ruffalo Messina, was born in Regio, Calabria. Her father's family settled in Batavia and managed muck land in Elba for many years.

Lucille received her teaching degree at Oneonta College, a master's degree in Special Education at Binghampton University, and an administrative degree at Canisius College. She taught elementary school in Unadilla and Sidney, NY.

She returned to Batavia in 1998 and began teaching for the Batavia City Schools, where she remained for 20 years. She became an adjunct instructor for Genesee Community College and received the NISOD Award for Excellence in Teaching. (NISOD stands for the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development.)

A member of the Zonta Club, she began a teenage service group called the Z-Club. It is an organization that provides opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills, explore career alternatives and to improve international understanding through projects and advocacy.

The club has raised enough money to have four water towers built at schools in Uganda, educate women in Madagascar, and conduct a Salvation Army Food Drive as well as a Toy Drive for YWCA. Club members also run the Z-Closet at Batavia High School and they help various organizations in Batavia. They were recognized by the Batavia City Council for their work in the community.

Lucille also organized the Zonta Holiday Festival and is organizing a carnival at Batavia Downs that will benefit a variety of organizations that are seeking to raise money.

In proud honor of her Italian heritage, she volunteered at St. Anthony's, in the making of the St. Joseph's Table, an Italian tradition. The Paulo Busti Foundation is delighted to name Lucille an "Outstanding Italian American."

Larry Hale

Lawrence (Larry) Hale was born and raised in Batavia. He began working at 16 at the family business.

It was at Ficarella’s Pizzeria that he learned the value of family and hard work. He is a graduate of Batavia High School where he met his childhood sweetheart, Diane (Mazur) Hale; they’ve been married 27 years. They have five sons! Zachary, Alex, Dillon, and twins Tyler and Jacob.

His grandmother was an immigrant from Sicily. He credits his Italian roots for his work ethic and determination. He has had to work hard to raise his large family.

Larry graduated from the New York State Corrections Academy in Albany. It was there he began his career in corrections. After three years they moved back to Batavia, where they wanted to raise their family. He currently works at Attica Correctional Facility, where he will retire from, after 25 years.

In 2000 Larry began volunteering as a coach. Over the past 18 years he has coached teams at every age level. There were seasons when he coached three teams simultaneously! This included All Stars, Travel and Fall Ball. He served as Treasurer of the Batavia Minor League Board and Vice President and President of the Batavia Little League Board.

On a Saturday morning at 6 a.m. you could find him preparing the fields to play. He has a passion for coaching, and believes sports are important both mentally and physically. He said, “Sports are not about winning, they are about respect, overcoming hardships, discipline, hard work and camaraderie.”

Since its inception in 2007, Larry has volunteered for the Michael Napoleone Foundation. This foundation holds a special place in his heart. Michael was a classmate and special friend to his twin sons. His wife serves on the Board of Directors. Larry is instrumental in coordinating the annual Michael Napoleone Foundation Memorial Day Baseball Tournament, which is a huge success.

Larry is an excellent role model to the hundreds of children he has coached, and it is our honor to name him an “Outstanding Italian American.”

About the Student Scholarship Candidates

Lauren Leone, above, is a senior at Batavia High School, and the daughter of David and Lisa Leone.

Through all of high school Lauren has been very active in student government: serving as class president for three years; student government executive secretary for one year; lead attorney for the mock trial team for three years; hostess of the Mr. Batavia charity event in 2018; president of the National Honor Society in 2017; Link Crew leader for two years; and a student contributor to the A+ Batavia Communicator (school district newsletter) in 2017.

She has been on the varsity tennis team for three years, String Sensations for four years, Batavia High School Orchestra for four years, and GWMEA county and state solo festival participant for three years.

Lauren has received awards for perfect attendance from 2016 through 2018, varsity tennis scholar athlete for three years, Monroe County All-League Athlete award twice, Scholastic Bowl Rookie of the Year in 2017, American Chemical Society Achievement in 2016 and 2017 and the NSYEO Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish in 2018.

Lauren has also been a lector at Ascension Parish in Batavia once a month since 2014. She has volunteered for Linda Bartlett’s summer writing program, at the Holland Land Office Museum’s History Heroes program and for Crossroads House.

Lauren intends to major in both Journalism and Political Science at either Ithaca College or Syracuse University.

Jacob Gualtieri, above, is a senior at Notre Dame High School in Batavia, and the son of Michael and Deborah Gualtieri, of Le Roy.

He is a past member of Science Club and Junior National Honor Society and a current member of National Honor Society.

For all four years of high school Jacob has participated in varsity track and field, varsity cross country and the school chorus. He has also participated in his school’s productions of "Godspell" and "Beauty and the Beast."

He is very active in his church and has been an altar servant for the last six years, gone on a mission trip to help organize a refugee center and assist the elderly, and caroled at elderly living facilities during the holidays.

He is a scholar athlete, won the Computing Medal Award in 2017 and holds a black belt in Isshyn-Ryu Karate which he achieved in 2014. Jacob plans on attending Rochester Institute of Technology to major in Computer Engineering.

Carli Piazza, above, is a senior at Le Roy High School, and the daughter of John and Joele Piazza.

She has belonged to Rotary Club since 2017 and the Ecology Club since 2016. She has been on the honor roll for all four years of high school.

Carli played basketball for four years and has been on the soccer team since seventh grade.

She has volunteered for several events and organizations -- from helping teachers at Open House, to working an alumni basketball game, to a children’s roller-skating party, to the Hope Center of Le Roy.

She plans on attending either Monroe Community College or Genesee Community College to major in Interior Design.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation’s Outstanding Italian American awards and scholarship event for Spring 2017 will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 14^th at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia.

This honor is awarded to a man and/or woman who has given exemplary service to their community.

This year the awards are being presented to Rick Mancuso and Peppina (Peppi) Palmer. These honorees have left a special mark on their communities. Youth groups, veterans, seniors and those lonely, ill and nearing the end of their lives have experienced their love and thoughtfulness.

The Foundation is proud of these Italian American heroes for their representation of the Italian American community.

Tickets for the dinner are available from any board member, at Giambroni Appliance and the VJ Gautieri offices on Liberty Street.

About Rick Mancuso

Rick Mancuso was born in Batavia to Benjamin Jr. and Mercedes Mahoney Mancuso. He is graduate of Notre Dame High School and Niagara University.

Rick’s Nana and Nanu Mancuso immigrated to the United States from Vallelunga, Sicily, and Rick was raised living and working the “American Dream” alongside his grandfather. Upon graduation from Niagara University with a BS in Management, Rick returned to work full time at Batavia Plumbing Supply. Following the sale of that company he began at Mancuso Real Estate & Mancuso Restaurant.

In 1995, he opened T.F. Brown’s Restaurant along with continuing the Mancuso Bowling Center and he remains there as president/owner today, as well as the president/broker of Main and Ellicott Properties (Mancuso Real Estate). He has exemplified the morals and values of hard work, family first and supporting his community for all his adult years in the Batavia area.

Rick has served many community organizations over the years, including leadership roles in the Batavia Area Jaycees, Batavia Rotary Club, The Batavia Club, Children’s Home Association, Genesee County United Way, Batavia Improvement District, Batavia Area YMCA, and the Genesee County Planning Board. He has also held positions on the Advisory Board for Genesee County Stop DWI and as a Coalition Member for Drug Free Communities.

Through his strong faith, he is committed to his church and Catholic education. Rick was President of the Lady of Loretto Society for several years through St. Anthony’s Church (an Italian heritage organization), and was a long-standing member of the Board of Directors for Notre Dame High School. Rick is a member of Resurrection Parish and is often found at daily mass.

Locally and regionally, Rick has been well known as a coach of youth sports since his return to Batavia following college. Perhaps most noteworthy, for 20-plus years as a football coach at Notre Dame High School. Under his leadership as the ND Girls Varsity Softball coach, his teams­­­ also attended state playoffs for several years with Rick being honored as both the Section V Coach of the Year and the New York State Coach of the Year for Girls Softball.

Rick has been coaching the youth of Genesee County for over 36 years! He has coached a wide variety of sports including Batavia Minor & Little League Baseball, Batavia Youth Football (also serving on the board and as board president) Genesee Amateur Soccer and YMCA Youth Basketball.

Perhaps one of the most notable contributions Rick has made as a community volunteer is his continued support of the T.F. Brown’s Community Christmas Dinner. Along with the Lion’s Club, Rick and his family have hosted this event on Christmas Day for the past 25 years! His support can also be seen regularly throughout the community as Rick and T.F. Brown’s are frequent sponsors of sporting teams, and just about ANYTHING youth oriented.

Naturally, Rick Mancuso has been honored by several local organizations for his accomplishments. However, when asked, Rick shares enthusiastically that his greatest accomplishment is found in the five children he shares with his wife of 34 years, Julie:

Morgan (Doug) Sicheri, Alexandra (Don) DiLaura, Rick Jr., Patrick, Madelyn and his dearest pride and joy – grandsons Vincent and Benjamin DiLaura.

Rick is a proud Italian American who states that “I never really considered the affects of growing up in a family strongly rooted in Italian traditions. Knowing no differently, I just thought everyone went to mass on Sunday and then to Nana’s house, and holidays and specials occasions always involved too much amazing food, tons of family time and great memories. All of which I intend to continue for generations to come.”

About Peppina (Peppi) Palmer

Peppina (Peppi) Palmer will be honored this year with the Paolo Busti Award for positive achievements and contributions to her community.

Born on Dec. 16, 1949, she was named Peppina in honor of her recently deceased paternal grandmother, Giuseppina Palmer. Her name was not Americanized to be Josephine. She was and always will be Peppi, someone who has demonstrated in her life, in her work and in her faith all that it means to be an outstanding Italian American.

Her parents, John Palmer and Anna Tresco Palmer, were born and raised in Batavia, first generation Italian Americans. Her maternal grandfather, Joseph Tresco, like many Italian immigrants, worked for the New York Central Railroad. Her paternal grandfather founded and was the proprietor of a successful Italian restaurant located on Ellicott Street in the heart of the Southside, mainly Italian district, of Batavia.

Peppi attended St. Mary’s School through eighth grade and then attended Batavia High School.

During her high school years Peppi became interested in nursing. She decided to enroll in the BHS BOCES course in nursing assistance. Upon graduating from BHS in 1968, she secured a nursing assistance position at the Veterans Hospital.

Devotion to her family was matched only by her devotion to “her” vets. “It’s not a job,” she would say. “It is a privilege to be in the company of heroes every day.” In addition to providing nursing assistance, she enjoyed socializing with the vets. She prepared the food, hosted and served an annual spaghetti supper for them. On Sundays she could be found transporting patients back and forth to the chapel so they could attend Mass. It was a much-anticipated event at the hospital when Peppi would bring in her therapy shih tzus, "Lottie," "Jelly Bean" and "Tinkie." The patients greatly enjoyed holding and petting the sweet, tiny dogs. Even after her retirement in 2014 she spent time at the hospital visiting patients and volunteering in the physical therapy department.

In 2006, she was recognized for her service to patients. Planetree, the nonprofit patient-centered care organization, honored her with a Designation Award. The award is given annually to those persons within the healthcare system who demonstrate the highest level of patient/person centered care based on evidence and standards.

Her volunteer work did not end at the NYS Veterans Hospital. She has volunteered for almost 20 years at Crossroads House; for 10 years with the Michael Napoleon Foundation; for the Ricky Palermo Golf Tournament and with the Batavia Peace Garden. For the past seven years she has been active in Our Lady of Mercy parish in Le Roy. She is a Eucharistic Minister, participates in the Parish Outreach program and leads the efforts of the parish to provide Mercy Meals for bereaved families.

Her life will always be centered on the three Fs of Italian heritage – Faith, Family and Food.

Peppi wants it to be known, in accepting this award with deepest gratitude and humility, that none of her accomplishments, whether personal or professional, would be possible without the love and encouragement she receives from her daughters, Andrea Schoenberger Casey and Sarah Schoenberger; daughter-in-law, Colleen Schoenberger; son-in-law, Ryan Casey; grandsons Luke, Caleb and Brooks Casey; and her many friends.

Peppi will forever be indebted to her mother, Anna, who was the best role model for what it means to be an outstanding Italian American.