Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco holds 26th annual dinner dance
Dr. Michael Cirigliano, businessman Raymond DelFera honored
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » The Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco honored Chester native Dr. Michael D. Cirigliano and Brookhaven resident Raymond J. DelFera as Persons of the Year at its 26th annual dinner-dance Oct. 29 at Heritage Ballrooms at a festive gathering where guests celebrated the rich history and heritage of the Abruzzo region of Italy.
Also honored with the Anna Rapagnani Memorial Award for Achievements in Italian Studies were Donnah Lisa Campbell, 14, of New Gretna, N.J., and Dante Frezza of Bel Air, MD, a junior at Widener University. Humanitarian Award recipients were Anthony Bellapigna and Louis Testa.
Cirigliano, who grew up in Brookhaven, is associate professor of medicine and a practicing internist at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. During his 25 years of clinical practice in internal medicine, he authored more than 60 medical publications and has been published in journals including the Journal of the American Medical Association, Hospital Practice and the Journal of Women’s Health. Cirigliano serves as the medical correspondent and on-air personality for FOX 29 News. He has a special interest in prevention and healthy living.
DelFera, an Army veteran who was stationed in South Korea, graduated from Collingdale High School. He founded DelFera Heating & Cooling in 1996. The company was recently named 2017 Small Business of the Year by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. His son, Raymond, works with his father in the family business. DelFera gives back to his community by supporting several nonprofit organizations, such as CASA Youth Advocates Inc., Operation First Response, Providence Animal Center and many youth programs. He also donates his time delivering meals to the elderly for Meals on Wheels of Aston.
Bellapigna and Testa were recognized for their contributions to the annual Italian Festival at Rose Tree Park. Bellapigna was also recognized for his work with CIAO Delco Charities, and Testa for his fundraising efforts on behalf of Don Guanella Village.
Campbell wowed the guests at the dinner dance with her singing. She is studying both English and Italian dialect with her nationally known vocal coach Sal Dupree of Dupree Performing Arts. Frezza is studying finance at Widener and minoring in Italian.
Their awards were presented in memory of Anna Rapagnani, who died last December. She taught Italian language classes at Don Guanella Village, St. Mary Magdalen Elementary School, Holy Child Academy and Neumann University.
“This gathering of our friends and paesani at this event again gives us the opportunity to celebrate the rich history and heritage that Abruzzo has provided to all of us,” Nicholas Rapagnani, president of the organization, said in his message to the guests. “We, as an organization, strive, as in the past, to organize, promote and conduct social, cultural, sports and recreational activities as we maintain and strengthen our Italian heritage.”