THE BIRTH OF FARMINGTON UNICO
Unico Clubs were gradually being created and motivated by Unico-National
were developing significant support. In the sixties Frank Gencarelli
through perseverance and effort attracted the support and commitment of 25
young men as now required by Unico National by-laws for consideration. They
met on xxxxxx and voted to establish the Farmington Chapter of
Unico-National with its approval. Dominic Papa was elected Chairman,
Frank Gencarelli, President and Joe Filomeno, Treasurer. Charter night was
held at the Hotel America with John Caruso, Chairman for the historic evening. Joe
Algiere, Anthony DiBiasio and Sal DiMauro were among the Charter Members.
Frank was raised in a family of nine children moving from Calabria to Westerly,
Rhode Island. Frank and Dom Papa developed a strong sense of mission
for UNICO. Following his presidency 1970-1972, Frank went on
to become expansion director for UNICO. In this capacity, he became
a prime mover in the formation of the Newington and Bristol chapters of UNICO.
Still Frank found time to be a Director of Farmington Valley Savings and
an active member of the Knights of Columbus and Rotary. Frank was President
of Bess Eaton Donuts, a 42 store organization and headed his own Mr. Donut
chain.
John Caruso, a charter member and UNICO President 1972-1973, was Chairman
of the Gala Evening that celebrated the formation of UNICO-Farmington and
also was an outstanding member of a large family of ten children. The
Carusoes were from Naples. John is both a lawyer and a CPA and served
three years in the Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. As UNICO’S
second President, we have been the constant beneficiary of his legal guidance. Mr.
Caruso has been President of the Exchange Club and Chairman of the
Farmington Board of Education.
UNICO-Farmington has enjoyed enviable financial soundness and growth with
the guidance of our third President 1973-1974, Mr Joseph Filomeno. owner
of his own Accounting firm in West Hartford. Joe has been a director
of New Britain Bank and Trust Co and is one of our Charter Members.
Neal Currie was also one of our founding fathers. With degrees in
finance, Neal became a Vice President of Hartford National Bank managing
investment portfolios for pension and profit sharing programs. Neal,
UNICO President 1974-1975, was on the Board of The Connecticut Health and
Educational Facilities Authority and a member of The Knights of Columbus.
A strong source of leadership and energy was provided by Charter Member
Enzo DeDominicis. Born in Abruzzi, Italy and graduated from Rome University. His
radio career began as an announcer and Director of Italian programs. Advancing
through the ranks he became Executive Vice President of WRCQ/WRCH. He
is a member of gthe Connecticut Broadcasters Association, a Trustee for the
Martin Luther King Fund and Past President of the Advertising Club of Greater
Hartford. Enzo was UNICO President 1976-1977.
From Avellino (near Naples) came Charter Member Ray DeMeo. He came
to America at the age of twelve, returned to Italy for his bride ten years
later. Ray served in the Air Force as a radio gunner. He was
well known for his excellent teaching at several area schools and excellent
summer camp work. His six children keep he and his spouse quite busy. Ray
served as UNICO President from 1978 to 1979.
As a member of an impressive Italian family from Lenola, Province of Lagtina,
Armando Rosati was educated here at Farmington High School. Armando
career was in the food industry becoming a senior manager for the First National
Stores in 1950. He subsequently bought a Pepperidge Farms franchise
and semi-retired. Charter Member Rosati was President of UNICO from
1980 to 1981. As a good role model, Armando was active in St. Pagtrick’s
Mens Club, Knights of Columbus, Amvets, American Legion and Lenolese
Society. And if that weren’t enough, he served Farmington as a volunteer
fireman for twenty years.
(photo, announcements, text, etc to be provided by Ray and Joe)
In addition to the DeDominicis Fellowship and a Chair in Italian Studies
at the University of Connecticut, the UNICO-Farmington has been at the cutting
edge of two additional programs that now have achieved national attention
and recognigtion – funding of major research in Cooley’s Anemia
and Mental Health along with the nationally supported Jimmy Valvano
Foundation for cancer research as initiated by Mark Sinatro. Additionally,
Chapter support was instrumental in establishing the nationally available
Ella T. Grasso Literary Award.
The award is named in honor of Ella Tambusi Grasso, former Governor of the
State of Connecticut (1974), born of Italian immigrants and educated at Mount
Holyoke College, Phi Beta Kappa. Mrs. Grasso was influential in the
passage of the National Cooley’s Anemia Control Act of 1972. Stricken
with cancer, the UNICO National established the Literary Award in her memory.
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