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.