Annually, Lodge 1191 of the Sons of Italy awards a person for outstanding achievement within the society.
The Recipient of the 2011 Daniel Vaccariello Sons of Italy "Man of the Year" Award is...Christopher Como.
1191 Award Recipients at the 2011 Grand Lodge of Ohio Convention
The highest award given by the Order Sons of Italy is the Purple Aster Award. This year’s recipient was the President of Cincinnatus Lodge #1191, Judge Ronald A. Panioto, who, after 35 years on the bench, retired in December 2010, and was honored by his colleagues, friends, and associates with a $22,000 scholarship in his name to his alma mater, Salmon P. Chase College of Law. Judge Panioto has spearheaded most of the major events of Cincinnatus Lodge #1191 and has been instrumental in fundraising events to award generous scholarships to outstanding students of Italian descent. He is profoundly respected in the entire community for his many contributions, not only as an American, but as an Italian.
View Judge Panioto's OSIA Purple Aster Award Acceptance Speech HERE.
Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Demasi received the 2011 Italian-American Law Officer of the Year Award. Vince was recently one of four in contention for Police Chief of Cincinnati, Ohio, and has been instrumental in improving the Witness Protection Program and has participated in a two year investigation with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office which resulted in the arrest and prosecution of violent gang members. He is the first Italian-American to become Assistant Police Chief in Cincinnati. He is Financial Secretary of Cincinnatus Lodge #1191 and is Chairman of our Scholarship Committee.
View Vince Demasi's OSIA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Acceptance Speech.
Joe Pitocco was awarded the 2011 Thomas F. Folino Award. This award was given to Joe because he epitomizes the qualities of Thomas Folino, a prominent attorney who gave selflessly and fought for many years to uplift the standing of Italians in America. Joe participates in all lodge activities, is an extremely successful attorney, and gives 110% of his time and efforts to make every event an outstanding success.
View Joe Pitocco's Thomas Folino Award Acceptance Speech.
The Recipient of the 2010 Daniel Vaccariello Sons of Italy "Man of the Year" Award is Michael Camacci.
The Recipient of the 2009 Daniel Vaccariello Sons of Italy "Man of the Year" Award is Joe Seta.
View more photos and videos from the event.
The Recipient of the 2008 Daniel Vaccariello Sons of Italy "Man of the Year" Award is Bill "Sarge" Vogel.
"I have known Sarge while he was still working as a Cincinnati Police Officer. Bill and I worked numerous details together while I was a Cincinnati Private Policeman, as well as knowing him through the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. Sarge deserves this award for helping our Order and Sacred Heart Church. We couldn't make it without his help!" - Lenny