ITALIAN AMERICAN OF THE YEAR Nominations
Susan Gurule
I would like to nominate Susan Gurule for a Bravo award for her wonderful job in
Chairing the Dante Alighieri October Heritage committee and coordinating all of the
great events throughout the month. Susan personally attended all of the events and
was amazing in keeping everything running perfectly. Susan has a long history of
community volunteerism and participation. I am probably not qualified to name all of
her accomplishments but she is a Past President for the Dante and has been a big part
of their organization for many years. She was also a great asset to the Columbus Day
Parade committee during my tenure as President. Susan was also nominated by
several others.
John Domenico
John is the former long time owner of Federal Foods and Produce in north
Denver. Now retired¨ John is a member of the Italians of America ®IOA© and the Our
Lady of Mount Carmel Men’s Club. Every Friday morning during the school year¨ John
heads out to the West Colfax viaduct at 6∫00 am regardless of rain¨ cold¨ snow or
anything else¨ and volunteers for a local non profit called Food for Thought. From
6≠8∫30 am he helps in the bagging¨ storing and distribution of 2700 bags of food that
get delivered to low income school children every Friday in Denver. For many of these
children¨ it is the only food they get all weekend and John is there every Friday
morning to help. In addition¨ John volunteers all weekend at the Mount Carmel Bazaar
in July¨ The St Rocco Feast in August¨ the Red Lion Run Car show in July¨ the monthly
Prima Domenica’s at Mount Carmel¨ the IOA Rodders Ball in April¨ and other events
that I can’t even remember right now.
Dominic Losasso
He served as President for the The Sons of Italy and the Colorado OSIA Grand Lodge.
Supporting the Italian American community Dominic, a graphic designer, has donated
many hours and talent to benefit the Andiamo! Colorados Italian community
newspaper, IABA, Colorado’s Italian American Hall of Fame, Rocky Mountain Italian
American Chamber of Commerce, and to the office of Vice Consul of Italy, in Colo and
Wyoming. He was a member of the IABA and has helped with the annual awards
design every year.
ITALIAN AMERICAN VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Nominations
Theda Archer
These are her volunteer positions
Jewels of Hope¨ Porter Hospice¨ Senior Resource Center¨ Soup for the Soul¨
Mount St. Vincent Home¨ Children In Foster Care
Ernie Marranzino
Born and raised in north Denver¨ Ernie has been a fixture in the community for many
years. Retired from the Denver Fire Department¨ Ernie has spent his life volunteering
for worthy causes. His passion is for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church as he has
volunteered at the annual Bazaar for over 50 years¨ including setting up¨ tearing down¨
and running the gaming booth. He has also chaired the annual bocce and golf
tournaments for the church¨ worked the Prima Domenica’s¨ spaghetti dinners¨ and
started the annual pasta fagioli ®fasool© dinner on Ash Wednesday at the church.¨ a
tradition that is still going. Ernie is a member of the Mount Carmel Men’s Club¨ and the
Order Son’s and Daughter’s of Italy Denver Lodge where he volunteers to work bingo
during the week.
Rita DeFrange
When it comes to volunteering¨ I am not sure there is anyone who does more than
Rita. She is currently the president of the Italians of America¨ the recording secretary
for the Sons and Daughters of Italy Denver Lodge¨ a member of Mount Carmel’s Altar
and Rosary¨ and the Fiori d’Italia¨ and previously with the Columbus Day Parade
committee and committee for social justice. She was responsible for organizing¨ and
also worked¨ the Red lion Run car show in July¨ and The Rodders Ball in April for the
IOA¨ both events were a huge success that gave 100• of its net profits to charities¨
such as Food For Thought¨ and Caruso Family Charities. She organized the first
annual ladies bocce tournament for the Altar and Rosary Society to benefit Mount
Carmel church¨ ran the pizza fritte booth for the Mount Carmel Bazaar in July¨ and the
pizza fritte booth for the St Rocco Feast in August. Rita also volunteers to make
baskets and gifts to give away at all of the events put on during the year. She
volunteers at Prima Domenica¨ the children’s Christmas party¨ the Children’s
Halloween party¨ the spaghetti dinners¨ Cibo¨ the general meetings every month¨ Food
for Thought¨ Sister Michael’s house¨ St. Joseph’s Table¨ decorates the float for the St
Patrick’s Day parade in Denver and the Carnation Parade in Wheat Ridge¨ and much
more.
Fred Marzano
Born and raised in north Denver¨ Fred is the current president for the Sons and
Daughters of Italy Denver Lodge in Wheat Ridge. Fred is a former railroad man
working for the Rio Grande railroad in Denver for over 30 years. Now retired¨ Fred is
also member of the Italians of America ®IOA©¨ the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Men’s
Club¨ and the Fiorie D’Italia. Every Friday morning during the school year¨ Fred heads
out to the West Colfax viaduct at 6∫00 am regardless of rain¨ cold¨ snow or anything
else¨ and volunteers for a local non profit called Food for Thought. From 6≠8∫30 am he
helps in the bagging¨ storing and distribution of 2700 bags of food that get delivered to
low income school children every Friday in Denver. For many of these children¨ it is the
only food they get all weekend and Fred is there every Friday morning to help.
In addition¨ Fred volunteers all weekend at the Mount Carmel Bazaar in July¨ The St
Rocco Feast in August¨ the Red Lion Run Car show in July¨ The IOA Rodders Ball in
April¨ the monthly Prima Domenica’s at Mount Carmel¨ the Sons and Daughters of Italy
car show that benefits Caruso Family Charities¨ the summer bocce league and the
children’s Christmas party at the Denver Lodge. He organized the spaghetti dinner at
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church last January¨ and did one for the Denver Lodge in
May. He also volunteered for the Bocce and golf tournaments for Mount Carmel
Church and the Sons and Daughters of Italy lodge. He also runs bingo two days a
week for the Denver Lodge. It appears that in retirement¨ Fred is busier than when he
worked at the railroad.
IABA BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Nominations
Vince Francescatti
I would also like to nominate Vince Francescatti for a Bravo award. Vince is very visible
for our organization and has had many testimonials from members singing his praises.
His wife Dana is very nice too. Rich Sabell
Dan Fratello¨ Cascade Solar Electric
Dan Fratello is an expert in energy management and shares his expertise to help
homeowners and businesses with their solar energy systems¨ LED lighting and
electrical needs. Dan is a long standing member of IABA and has assisted many IABA
members with their solar needs including a large project at Balistreri Vineyards.
Whether a small homeowner install or a large commercial project¨ Dan and his staff
provide stellar customer service from the initial contact throughout the entire job and
beyond which is why most of his business is referral based. Dan handles all the
energy savings and solar cost calculations that can be intimidating and explains it in
terms the consumer can understand. His friendly demeanor¨ sincerity and passion for
what he does is evident if youßve ever talked with Dan. He also has a fun sense of
humor and always jokes that heßs the token Venetian in the IABA membership as he
has yet to meet any other member with Venice roots. Dan and his company¨ Cascade
Solar ¶ Electric¨ consistently demonstrate exemplary business practices which is why I
would like to nominate them for the IABA BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Award.
