UNICO

ComUNICO
News
Scranton, PA
In Memoriam
Joseph Serafini
The Scranton Chapter welcomed new
members at the June Meeting.
Mary Marrara, Chapter President
2014-2015 presented the Al Dante
Distinguished Service Award to Pat
Yanni. Pat Yanni joined UNICO in
1978. Among his many accomplishments
and service in UNICO, he
served as Chapter President and on the
Board of Directors for many years. He
was a UNICAN of the Year and District
Governor, at which time he received
the Distinguished District Governor
Award. He spent countless hours
cooking and preparing the Porketta, as
well as readying our famous Porketta
tent for La Festa Italiana. As a skilled
carpenter, during the Quincentenary
celebration of the Columbus discovery,
he was asked to join the efforts
in planning a celebration parade. He
spent months of his time constructing
nearly life-size replicas of the
Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria ships.
He has held leadership positions in
the Knights of Columbus and in other
committees, as well. Pat owned and
operated a construction business until
his retirement. Pat and Palma have
been married for 64 years and are
the proud parents of four children,
twelve grandchildren and two great
granddaughters.
Past National President Chris DiMattio
recently installed Mike Rescigno as
Chapter President at the 57th Past
President’s and Installation Dinner.
From left: Mary Marrara, Past Chapter
President; Mike and Ginny Rescigno and
Chris DiMattio.
Past National President Chris DiMattio
presents Mary Marrara with the Past
President’s Award at the 57th Annual
Past President’s and Installation Dinner.
The award is in memory of Dr. D.J.
Maldonato, who was the first Chapter
President of the Scranton Chapter. From
left: Mary Marrara and Chris DiMattio.
Joseph J. Serafini, 83, of Cedar
Grove, N.J., passed away surrounded by
family on Tuesday, August 18, 2015.
Born in Newark to Luigi and Adele
Serafini, he lived in Bloomfield before
settling in Cedar Grove the past 13 years.
Joseph was the owner of Beppy’’s Restaurant
in Newark for 32 years before
retiring 27 years ago. He proudly served
in the National Guard during peace time
and as a member of the Cedar Grove
Chapter of UNICO National. In addition,
he was a professional boxer, golden
gloves champion and boxing trainer.
He is survived by his wife, Connie
Serafini; children Louis Serafini and
his wife Diana; Joseph Serafini and his
wife Linda and Deborah Maggio and her
husband Arthur; grandchildren Joseph,
Jennifer, Maria, Daniel, Nicholas, Julia,
Stephanie and Gabrielle and sister, Irene
Duvalle.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St.
Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501
St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
would be appreciated. Memories and
condolences may be shared at shookscedargrove.com.
Paramus, NJ
From left: Mary Marrara, Scranton
Chapter President; Lisa, Dante, Dave and
Nicole Bieri and Pat and Palma Yanni.
UNICO National Scranton Chapter Ladies
Auxiliary recently installed the 2015-
2016 officers. Palma Yanni installed the
officers. From left: Palma Yanni; Diane
Alberigi, Treasurer; Ashley DeFlice, Vice
President; Gayle DeAntona, President;
Joanne Quattrone, Recording Secretary;
Lori Nozzi, Financial Secretary and
Danelle Hogan, Corresponding Secretary.
Past National President Richard D’Arminio
swears in four new members. From left:
Chapter President Lois Iula, Rita and
Peter O’Hare, Richard D’Arminio, Roe and
Anthony Bucco and May D’Arminio.
UNICO National September 2015 31