North End Columbus Day Committee Honors Friends of Christopher Columbus Park [Photos]
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The North End Columbus Day Celebration Committee hosted an evening of celebration and commemoration on Friday, October 9 at The Living Room on Atlantic Avenue. The reception featured music, prizes, refreshments and cocktails. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the bi-annual North End Columbus Day Parade being held on Sunday, October 11th (Parade Information).
This year, the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park were honored with the 2015 Michael A. Nazzaro Community Service Award. “The Friends have been excellent caretakers of our beloved Christopher Columbus Park” said Committee Chairman Louis Strazzullo, “Their partnership with the city and their stewardship has made Columbus Park a waterfront oasis for our neighborhood and another jewel in the City’s park system. We are happy to honor The Friends with Mike’s Award to say thank you for their years of commitment!”
Mike Nazzaro was born and raised in the North End, was a small business owner and served as our State Representative. During his tenure, Mike protected the neighborhood from the era’s urban development push and helped make the neighborhood the vibrant community it is. The Committee is recognizing The Friends for that same commitment and dedication to our community and our great city.
A surprise commendation by City and State officials was made for longtime committee friend and supporter, Francine Gannon. In addition to City Hall and State House citations, the Mayor’s Office declared October 9th as “Francine Gannon Day” in the City of Boston.
Friends of Christopher Columbus Park accepting Michael A. Nazzaro, Jr. Community Leadership Award (L-R) Parade Chair Louis Strazzullo, State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Carla D’Orio (daughter of Michael Nazzaro), FOCCP President Joanne Hayes-Rines and Laurie Strazzullo (granddaughter of Michael Nazzaro)Francine Gannon (center) accepts City and State commendations (L-R) Michael Flaherty, Michelle Wu, Stephen Murphy, Aaron Michlewitz, Anthony Petruccelli and Sal LaMattinaColumbus Day Celebration Committee (L-R) Maria Puopolo, Carla D’Orio, Aaron Michlewitz, Laurie Strazzullo, Sal Diecidue, Louis Strazzullo, Anthony Petruccelli, Therese Diecidue and Maria LanzaCrowded room at the Columbus Day Parade FundraiserState Rep. Aaron Michlewitz presents the Nazzaro Award to FOCCP President Joanne Hayes-RinesFrancine Gannon speaks after receiving city and state commendationsFOCCP Executives accepting the Michael A. Nazzaro, Jr. Community Leadership Award (L-R) Meredith Piscitelli, Meghan Denenburg, Joan Murphy, Joanne Hayes-Rines, Ann Babbit, Audrey Tortolani and Patricia ThibotoutCelebrating Francine Gannon Day, (L-R) Sal LaMattina, Aaron Michlewitz and Anthony Petruccelli(L-R) Maria Lanza, Stephen Passacantilli, Karen D’Amico and John Romano(L-R) Michael Magner, Sal LaMattina, Aaron Michlewitz and Anthony PetruccelliMichelle Wu speaks at the Columbus Day parade celebrationLorraine and Daniel PassacantilliCity Councilor Stephen Murphy speaks at the Columbus Day Parade celelbrationCity Councilor Michelle Wu and Francine GannonRepresenting the North End, (L-R), City Councilor Sal LaMattina, State Representative Aaron Michlewitz and State Senator Anthony PetruccelliCity Councilor Michael Flaherty speaking at the eventThe Gannon Family celebrating Francine Gannon DayHost and State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Columbus Day Commitee Chair Louis Strazzullo
The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP), the all-volunteer, donor-funded booster organization for the park, will host a ceremony to plant two new dwarf crabapple trees in the park on Monday, May 6 at 10AM. The trees will be planted at the southwest entrance of the park, close to Quincy Market, replacing trees lost during Read More…
For the second time in history, the Italian flag was raised at Boston City Hall next to the American flag. The October 9th ceremony kicked off the Italian Heritage events for Columbus Day weekend. Highlighting this year’s event was the Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona from the Abruzzo region of Italy. The group brought their medieval Gostra (Joust) Read More…
Former House Speaker Sal DiMasi and District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina were honored with the Michael A. Nazzaro, Jr. Public Service Award at this year’s Columbus Day Celebration Reception. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh took part in the presentations as did State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, State Sen. Joe Boncore and City Councilors who attended including President Read More…
