Our History

THE HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD UNICO: 1955-2014 

Our chapter was chartered on February 11, 1955. The sponsors were the Newark Chapter represented by Past National Presidents AI Miele and John Cervase. Also the Passaic Chapter represented by Judge Joseph Salerno and Michael Corradino, both Vastola winners. Initially there were 23 charter members of which there is one remaining. He is Peter Manetto. A roster of all charter members appears in the attachment affixed hereto. For many years, the fledgling chapter met at the upstairs room of Willie’s Diner and conducted its good works from that popular town location. From the outset, the chapter had a profound effect on the community. Among the many local accomplishments were and still ongoing programs supporting the Needy, the Board of Recreation, Little League, Mental Health and Scholarship programs among many others.

The scholarship program presently consists of seven annual scholarships in the amount of one thousand each. The candidates are Bloomfield High seniors and Bloomfield senior students from pariochal high schools. The following are the Memorial scholarships awarded each year:

• The Paul Attard Scholarship
• The Henry Sant’ Ambrogio Scholarship
• The Nicholas Martini Scholarship
• The Rose and Joseph Ruffalo Scholarship
• The Toni Alongi Scholarship
• The Carl Greco Scholarship
• The Phyllis Ferrara Music Scholarship

Forty four years ago, the chapter initiated The Brian Piccolo awards given to Italian American student athletes at Bloomfield High. Unico National adopted this program in honor of a courageous Italian American all star football player who lost his life to cancer when he was in the prime of his career. There are two such awards of $500 given annually. A long time member, Stan Aquilino, founded the program and chaired it for 34 consecutive years. A major factor in the growth and success of our chapter during the first forty three years was the tremendous contributions of money, time and participation by the Ladies Auxiliary •• They were chartered at the same time and throughout the years raised the bulk of the corpus of the Scholarship Account. Their hard work made it possible for the chapter to achieve its goals and objectives. One only has to remember the many different card parties, luncheons, raffles, etc, that they hosted and completed financially successful, to appreciate their importance to the chapter. In 1998 females were admitted into Unico National as regular members and as a result, the Ladies Auxiliary disbanded. Some of the ladies joined the chapter as regular members.

In 1972, Bloomfield Unico members led by Carmine Gradone, a past president, dedicated a beautiful statue of Christopher Columbus to the Town of Bloomfield. The cost was $27,000 and there were many non Unico financial supporters. It took its place on the Historic Green, where George Washington once gathered his troops. Tradition dictated that no building or statue be erected on the Green, however the Town Administration at the valued the effort and gave their permission. Ever since we have celebrated Columbus Day with an activity at the statue. For the last 21 years, the chapter has sponsored a town wide 4th grade essay contest with cash prizes of $750 and 13 plaques for thirteen winners A Pancake breakfast for the winners and their parents follows the ceremony. Columbus Day in 2013 saw 180 contestants. What is invigorating is that all the principals and teachers take time to attend the festivities.

About 19 years ago, the chapter adopted The Circle of Friends (an organization for special handicapped young adults intended for social interaction) and has focused on providing special activities such as ball games, hockey, dances. In fact each year our chapter along with the Circle of Friends support 50 special people attending the annual Unico National Night at the New Jersey Devils game and other events of that nature.

In recent years under the presidencies of Dr. Robert Ruffalo, Mike Napolitano and former Chief of Police Mike Sisco, the chapter witnessed a rejuvenation and became heavily involved in local and Unico National activities. Most notable was the chapter’s contributions to the Foley Field Foundation in money and service. Two of our members, Mike Napolitano an Alfonso Crincoli are primarily responsible for the success of that project having served as presidents of the Foley Field Foundation.

The Bloomfield Chapter of Unico was part of District II for years and then transferred to District IV sixteen years ago. Our chapter has hosted five Walk a Thons and nine Bowl a Thons for the District.

Lastly, the Bloomfield Chapter proudly had two of its members serve as Unico National Presidents. They were Joseph Napolitano and first Lady, Lorraine Napolitano in 1966. PNP Napolitano was the prime introducer of the National Mental Health program (both are deceased). Paul Alongi and first Lady, Toni Alongi served in 1975. (Toni is deceased) PNP Alongi introduced the Cooley’s Anemia program to National and also his administration sponsored tbe Fruili Eartbquake in Northern Italy.

A roster of the Past Presidents is also attached hereto

It is acknowledged that good deeds results in a caring membership and produces good leadership. The roles of the chapter swells with the following members who have emerged as public leaders.

• William Martini, United States District Court Judge (present)
• Judge Jobn Marzulli, Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County Assignment Judge*
• C. Robert Sarcone, New Jersey State Senator
• Philip Rotondo, Essex County Executive Director
• Joseph Russoman, Mayor of Bloomfield *
• Ralph Conte, Mayor of Bloomfield
• John Crecco, Mayor of Bloomfield
• Raymond McCarthy, Mayor of Bloomfield
• Michael Venezia, Mayor of Bloomfield, present
• Jack J. Soriano, Councilman, Bloomfield, Town Attorney, Belleville*
• Joseph Napolitano, Councilman, Bloomfield*
• Don Cetrulo, Councilman, Bloomfield
• Nicholas Sidoti, Councilman, Bloomfield*
• Anthony Gallo, Councilman, Bloomfield
• Janice Maly, Councilwoman, Bloomfield
• Gary Iacobacci” Councilman, Bloomfield
• Raymond Tamborini, councilman, Bloomfield
• R. Samuel La Monica, Zoning Board, Bloomfield, a long time member*
• Michael La Quaglia, Zoning Board, Bloomfield, a long time member*
• Casper “Buddy” Mollee, Zoning Board, Bloomfield, a long time member
• Henry Sant’ Ambrogio, Town Attorney, Bloomfield”
• Paul Sant’ Ambrogio, Assistant Town Attorney and Prosecutor (present)
• Paul Alongi, Commissioner of the State commission of Investigation, President of The Board of Education of Bloomfield, President of The Bloomfield Federation of Music, President of The Boys and Girls Club for 25 years, President of The Bloomfield Civic Band for last 30 years.
• Diane Horowitz, Member of the Board of Education of Bloomfield
• Michael Napolitano, Member of The Board of Education of Bloomfield
• Louis Venezia, member of the Board of Education of Bloomfield
• Domenick, Ferrara, Retired Chief Warrant officer and Bandmaster of New Jersey National Guard, President of The Bloomfield Federation of Music and Conductor-Director of The Bloomfield Civic Band last 40 years.
• Frank Carlone, Retired Colonel of The New Jersey National Guard
• Dr. Robert Ruffalo, Member of Various Committees for The Town of Bloomfield
• Jolie Ruffalo, Executive Director of the Greater Chamber of Commerce

(“symbolizes deceased)

Nationally, Bloomfield Unico has always been responsive to the call of the parent organization. We have participated for fifty eight years in tbe following programs, National Scholarship, Mental Health, High Hopes, Cooley’s Anemia, Cancer Research, Italian Studies Chairs, 21st Century Campaign, Brian Piccolo and others.

THE BLOOMFIELD CHAPTER OF UNICO RENDERS TRIBUTE TO ALL ITS PAST MEMBERS AND DECEASED MEMBERS FOR THEIR UNSELFISH AND WORTHY CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR GLORIOUS HISTORY OF FIFTY EIGHT YEARS

CHAPTER MEMBERS WHO BECAME DISTRICT GOVERNORS

• Philip Rotondo
• Stanley Aquilino
• Dan Zecca
• Oronzo Muraglia
• Dr. Prisco DeFronzo
• Dr. Emanuel Alfano

BLOOMFIELD UNlCO CHAPTER PAST PRESIDENTS 1955-2014, CHARTERED FEBRUARY 11, 1955

• 1955-1956 JOSEPH NAPOLITANO *
• 1956-1957 JOSEPH NAPOLITANO *
• 1957-1958 PAUL ATTARD *
• 1956-1957 JOSEPH NAPOLITANO *
• 1957-1958 PAUL ATTARD *
• 1958-1959 CHARLES ATTARD*
• 1960-1961 SALVATORE BENINATI*
• 1961-1962 R. SAMUEL LA MONICA *
• 1962-1963 NICHOLAS VENlZlANO *
• 1963-1964 NICHOLAS SIDOTI*
• 1964-1965 ALPHONSE QUARESIMO
• 1965-1966 PHILIP ROTONDO
• 1966-1967 CARL ALGOZZINA *
• 1967-1968 PAUL ALONGI
• 1968-1969 ALPHONSE PORCELLA
• 1969~1970 GEORGE MALANGA
• 1971-1972 VITO TREMATO*
• 1972-1973 SEBASTIAN ALONGI
• 1973-1974 STANLEY AQUILINO
• 1974-1975 SILVIO LIVOLSI*
• 1975-1976 ANTHONY GALLO
• 1976-1977 DONATO “DAN’ ZECCA
• 1977-1978 FRANK PETROZZINO
• 1978-1979 ANTHONY LOMBARDI
• 1979-1980 FRANK CARLONE
• 1980-1981 HERMAN GONNELLI
• 1981-1982 DR. FRANK GALIOTO
• 1982-1983 DR. FRANK GALIOTO*
• 1983-1984 JOHN MILONE*
• 1984-1985 JOHN MILONE*
• 1985-1986  JOHN MILONE*
• 1986-1987 STANLEY AQUILINO
• 1987-1988 ANTHONY LOMBARDI 
• 1989-1990 DR. EMANUEL ALFANO
• 1990-1991 JOHN MILONE*
• 1991-1992 STEVE ARAGONA
• 1992-1993 DR. PRISCO DI FRONZO*
• 1993-1994 DR. PRISCO DIFRONZO*
• 1995-1996 JOSEPH CHIRICO
• 1996-1997 WILLIAM CARDINALE
• 1997-1998 PHILIP ECHO JR
• 1998-1999 JACK SOR1ANO
• 1999-2000 DOMINICK FERRARA
• 2000-2001 DOMINICK FERRARA
• 2001-2002 STANLEY AQUILINO
• 2002-2003 STANLF;V AQUILINO
• 2003-2004 STANLEY AQUILINO
• 2004-2006 DR. ROBERT RUFFALO
• 2007-2012 MICHAEL NAPOLITANO

BLOOMFIELD UNICO LADIES AUXILARY

• 1956-1957 JOSEPHINE LA MONICA
• 1957-1958 JOSEPHINE LA MONICA
• 1958-1959 ALBA QUARESIMO
• 1959-1960 ALBA QUARESIMO
• 1960-1961 ANN DE ANGELIS
• 1961-1962 ANN CORE
• 1962-1963 ANN ATTARD *
• 1963-1964 ADELINE MARZULLI l
• 1964-1965 FLORENCE PICI *
• 1965-1966 ANGELA SIDOTI SPANO
• 1966-1967 DORTHEY ALGOZZINA
• 1967~1968LORRAINE NAPOLITANO
• 1968-1969 MARIE COYNE
• 1969-1970 JANET MOLLICA GRIFFING
• 1970-1971 DORIS GALLO
• 1971-1972 DORIS GALLO
• 1972-1973 ANN CORE
• 1973-1974 TONI ALONGI*
• 1974-1975 SYLVIA PETROZZINO*
• 1975-1976 SYLVIA PETROZZINO*
• 1976-1977 CEIL BASSANI
• 1977-1978 BETTY AQUILINO
• 1978-1979 BETTY AQUILINO
• 1979-1980 MARiE COYNE
• 1980-1981 MARIE COYNE

OTHER PRESIDENTS YEAR UNKNOWN

• PHYLLIS FERRARA
• MARiE ANTONIO
• ROSEMARY ZECCA
• PAULINE GRASSO*
• AURORA MANETTO*
• AND MANY MEMBERS WHO DIDN’T HOLD THAT OFFICE BUT SERVED WITH CHARITY IN THEIR HEART

BLOOMFIELD UNICO CHAPTER CHARTER MEMBERS

• EDWARD ANTINOZZI *
• PAUL ATTARD
• SALVATORE BENINATI*
• JACOB CARRARA *
• JOSEPH CARRIONE*
• DON CETRULO 
• SAM DE ANGELIS*
• ALBERT FIORE
• PAUL INCONTRERA
• R. SAMUEL LA MONICA *
• MICHAEL LA QUALGIA*
• ALBERT LOBBATO
• PETER LORDY *
• PETER MANETTO
• JUDGE JOHN MARZULU*
• JERRY MILANO*
• JOSEPH NAPOLITANO*
• JACOB PORCIELLO *
• ALPHONSE QUARESIMO *
• HENRY SANT’ AMBROGIO*
• NICHOLAS SIDOTI*
• NIVHOLAS VENEZIANO*
• FRANK VICEDOMINI 

BLOOMFIELD UNICO LADIES CHARTER MEMBERS

• ANN ATTARD*
• WANDA ATTARD *
• ANN CORE
• ANNINCONTRERA
• PHYLLIS LA MATTIA
• JOSEPHINE LA MONICA*
• CONNIE LOBATO
• AURORA MANETTO*
• ALBA QUARESIMO