UNICO NATIONAL NEW JERSEY DISTRICT IX RON TARGOVE District Governor Wednesday May 3, 2017 The Estate At Florentine Gardens River Vale, New Jersey BRIAN PICCOLO AWARD 2017 Honorees from: UNICO CHAPTERS Cresskill, Greater Ramsey, Paramus, St Joe's Montvale, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake UNICO chapters around the country are proud to perpetuate the name of Brian Piccolo. His courage, in the face of serious illness, has been a continuing inspiration for millions of people. Born in Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Piccolo began his football career at the age of eight. Football later took him to the gridiron of South Catholic High in Fort Lauderdale, to great accomplishments at Wake Forest and into four active seasons with the Chicago Bears. This young likeable athlete was destined to excel but his career was cut short by five types of cancer. After several operations, constant radiation treatments and much pain, Brian Piccolo died on June 16, 1970 at the age of 26, leaving his wife and three young daughters. The measure of the man is perhaps best understood in this paraphrase of one of his quotes, The first thing a guy s got to have is determination because a man s career is such a long road. There were so many ups and downs along my road. You ve got to believe in yourself, not to show anybody else, but just to prove it to yourself. His personal battle has been an inspiration to countless persons determined to achieve their own goals. This award is presented on the chapter and district levels annually to high school athletes demonstrating those attributes associated with the life of Brian Piccolo. The recipients must be of Italian American ancestry, have shown outstanding improvement in athletics, are graduating from a secondary school and reside within an area of a sponsoring chapter or district.. They must have strong academic record. Involvement in the community is preferred. The Athletic Director or Coach should prepare and submit a resume of the nominee s athletic achievements.
UNICO District IX Will always remember Marge Spataro. She was a true UNICAN in every sense of the word. From her mentoring of others, and guidance as our District Governor, her selflessness always shined through. We miss you and will keep your memory strong through our continuing efforts for others. Service Above Self
A Message from the District Governor Dear Fellow UNICANS, Award Recipients, and their Families, CAMELLA REALTY, LLC Investment - Development - Consulting Paul J. Camella Managing Member Phone: 201-819-4840 4 Princeton Drive Fax: 201-476-1750 Woodcliff Lake, NJ 06777 Email: PJC1951@aol.com On behalf of the membership of New Jersey District IX, I extend a warm welcome to the Brian Piccolo Awards Dinner. Congratulations to the recipients of this prestigious award. These outstanding student-athletes exemplify the drive and determination of our awards namesake, Brian Piccolo. His life story is an inspiration to all of us. New Jersey District IX is comprised of six UNICO Chapters as follows: Cresskill, Paramus, Greater Ramsey, St. Joe s of Montvale, Westwood and Woodcliff Lake. Working jointly on national projects and separately on community activities, UNICO raises a substantial amount of funds that are donated to worthy causes such as granting scholarship awards, Mental Health grants, Cancer and Cooley s anemia grants, as well as performing community and civic activities and promoting good fellowship among our members. A special thanks to the six Brian Piccolo chairpersons from the Chapters. To all of the Board Members of District IX, thank you for making this year a smooth transition for me. It is never an easy task stepping in the footprints of a beloved legend from our district. We miss you Marge!! I am so proud of each and every chapter and the events they have organized. I look forward to an even better 2017-18, with more comradery, communication and collaboration between chapters. Thank you to all of the sponsors of our ad journal; your support is paramount to our success. To all of you who are attending, thank you for your support. If you would like to join our organization, please feel free to ask any member of UNICO about membership. Ron Targove District Governor NJ District IX
PROGRAM Master of Ceremonies Gerard P. Heytink Chairman UNICO Prayer Flag Salute District Governor s Message Ron Targove National President s Message Dominick Nicastro Second Vice President Dr. Frank DeFrank Past Westwood Mayor Skip Kelley Guest Speaker Bruce Harper Presentation of Awards Cresskill Al DiDonato Paramus....Loriann Romaglia Greater Ramsey...Bob Patti St. Joe s Montvale....Frank Masella Westwood....Frank LoPiccolo Woodcliff Lake Pete Alianello Congratulations to WOODCLIFF LAKE UNICO s RECIPIENTS Mia Gheduzzi Dominick Campana Salvatore Campana and to all the other 2017 Brian Piccolo Winners UNICO National s Past President & Former First Lady Andre & Jenny DiMino
Congratulations to Brian Piccolo RECIPIENTS Mia Gheduzzi Dominick Campana Salvatore Campana and to all the other 2017 Brian Piccolo Winners From WOODCLIFF LAKE UNICO NEW JERSEY DISTRICT IX Officers District Governor.. Ron Targove Treasurer... Steve Wekar Secretary Steve Bifulco
UNICO PRAYER Bless us, Oh Lord, our Heavenly Father. Bless this food which we are about to partake through thy grace! Bless this meeting and the work in which we are engaged! Bless UNICO and all those who contribute to its cause! Make us, Oh Lord, Strong in our Unity, Constant in our love for our Neighbor, Honest in our Integrity, Unselfish in our Charity, and Grateful for the Opportunity to serve, We ask it in Thy Name - Amen. BENDICTION We give Thee thanks, Oh Lord, for these Thy gifts and this Spirit of Unity that has made this gathering pleasing to Thine eyes and all our associates. We ask that this Spirit of Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity and Opportunity, as practiced by UNICO, be preserved and may we in our endeavors always be mindful of our duties toward Thee and all our fellowmen - and keep uppermost in our hearts and minds that we are here and in our service that we be blessed with all.
BRUCE HARPER Congratulations to Danielle Laino and Mario Ferraro 2017 Brian Piccolo Award Winners From Ramsey High School Bruce Harper (born June 20, 1955) was an American football running back and kick returner for the New York Jets of the NFL. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Kutztown by the Jets in 1977. Bruce Harper is the all-time kick returner in New York Jets history with 5407 yards in kickoff returns. He also served as the Jets punt returner from 1977 to 1982, totaling 1748 PR yards and 1 touchdown. Harper also played running back. His total yards are 11429: 1829 rushing yards, 2409 receiving yards, 1784 PR yards and 5407 KR yards. Harper played high school football at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood. He moved on to play at Kutztown State College, where he became the school's first 1,000 yard rusher. Harper's 42 jersey is the jersey worn by diehard Jets fan Fireman Ed. Harper was a longtime resident of Norwood, New Jersey, but now resides in Closter, New Jersey. Harper is founder and director of the not-for-profit organization Heroes & Cool Kids. Based in school systems throughout New Jersey, the mentoring program reaches out to elementary and middle-school kids by high school athletes and students of the same district. The high school students are trained through the Heroes and Cool Kids' curriculum and by former professional athletes, such as former NFL player, Keith Elias, former LA Lakers player, John Celestand, and former NJ Nets player, Tim Bassett.
Paramus Chapter Of UNICO NATIONAL Extends Best Wishes To Dominique Petruzzella And Brian Bonino Our 2017 Brian Piccolo Recipients And The Other NJ District IX Brian Piccolo Winners Westwood UNICO Extends Best Wishes & Congratulations To Matt Urrea From Pascack Valley High School Skylar R. Regan From Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan Our 2017 Brian Piccolo Recipients Service Above Self
Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, and Opportunity Congratulations to All The Brian Piccolo Winners From STEVE AND LAURIE WEKAR Westwood Chapter of UNICO District IX thanks all of our generous sponsors and encourages everyone to support each other! Congratulations to Matt Urrea & Skylar R. Regan The Bifulco Family Westwood Chapter of UNICO
Cresskill Chapter Of UNICO NATIONAL CONGRATULATES Erin McQuillen & Martin Lucibello Congratulations and best of luck in your future endeavors 2017 Brian Piccolo Recipients Best of luck to all of the Brian Piccolo Award Winners Congratulations to Skylar Regan and Matt Urrea From The Snyder Family Westwood Chapter of UNICO
Congratulations Dom and Sal Campana We couldn t be more proud of all both of you, and of the amazing and loving young men you have become. Each of you has so much to offer and have the kindest hearts of anyone we have ever met. Remain close to each other and always take care of one another. We love you more than you will ever know, Mom, Dad, Christina, Allie and Leo
Congratulations Erin and Marty Reach for the stars! With Love, Marty, Maria & Nina Lucibello
Mario, Congratulations on an exceptional career and on receiving the Brian Piccolo award. ConQuest Construction Inc. 32 Woodland Ave Tel: 201-666-2244 Westwood, NJ 07675 Fax: 201-666-2854 General Contracting & Engineers Congratulates All Your family is very proud of you. You are an inspiration to us all. Love Always, Your #1 Fans Mom, Dad, Danielle, Chase, Frankie, Mom-Mom, Pop-Pop & Family 2017 Brian Piccolo Award Recipients
To our ALL-STAR Marty, Wouldn t trade you for anything CONGRATULATIONS! Love, Gram-Pop, Genna & David
CONGRATULATIONS!! Mario Ferraro and Danielle Laino RAMSEY HIGH SCHOOL RECIPIENTS OF THE 2017 UNICO BRIAN PICCOLO AWARD The Ramsey Administration and Coaches are very proud of you and your accomplishments Way to go Mario and Danielle!!! Dr. Matthew Murphy, Superintendent of Ramsey Schools Dr. Michael Thumm, Principal Ramsey High School Jim Grasso, Athletic Director Ramsey High School The Ramsey High School Coaching Staff Congratulations on receiving this Brian Piccolo Memorial Award and for being the outstanding female athlete that you are! You continue to make us proud and amaze us in all your hard work and dedication. Don t stop following your dreams, we re behind you every step of the way. We Love You with all our heart!! Love, Mom, Dad, Victoria and Corey XO