The Glen Cove City Council honored two Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Loggia Glen Cove 1016 members at its last meeting.
Mayor Pam Panzenbeck presented citations to Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Deriggi-Whitton and former Loggia president Joseph Gallo.
“These two people are very, very special to us,” said Loggia Glen Cove president Marissa Gambino. Gambino chose two honorees from Loggia’s 300 members, she said.
DeRiggi-Whitton is a “long time member of the Loggia,” Gambino said.
Gambino said she is a dedicated member of the group.
“She’s always there, and we appreciate her very much,” Gambino said.
“You’re known for your contributions to the Italian-American community,” Panzenbeck said.
DeRiggi-Whitton attended the city council meeting with her parents.
“I’m joined this weekend with my parents and I’m very blessed to have them,” DeRiggi Whitton said.
“Both my parents come from Italian heritage,” she said.
DeRiggi-Whitton’s father, Donald DeRiggi, is a former Glen Cove mayor. DeRiggi-Whitton asked him to speak.
“What could be better than having your daughter honored by her community?” he said.
“Throughout my life, the Sons of Italy have been such a special part of my entire family’s life, and I cherish my Italian American heritage and the tremendously close-knit community that continues to thrive here in Glen Cove,” DeRiggi-Whitton said in a press release.
“It was tremendously special to be recognized at City Hall and share this with honor with the Gallo family and the Sons of Italy,” she said.
Panzenbeck presented Joseph Gallo with a citation from the city as well.
“Although he doesn’t live here full time, every time he is here, he’s always at our meetings and he’s always very supportive in everything that we do,” Gambino said.
“He’s always done work in the community,” said his son, Joseph Gallo Jr. He said his father has lived in the area since the 1950s.
“Thank you for honoring my father,” he said.
“We look upon you with the utmost respect and profound gratitude for all you do and all you have done for the Italian American Loggia,” Panzenbeck said. “We commend you, and we wish you many more years of success.”
