The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Persechino named Italian Mayor of the Day
Columbus Day celebration a city tradition
TORRINGTON — The Torrington Chapter of UNICO National and the City of Torrington will honor Umberto “Albert” Persechino as Italian Mayor of the Day on Saturday.
The Columbus Day celebration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Columbus Square with the laying of a wreath, followed by a ceremony at 9 a.m. at Coe Memorial Park’s Civic Center, South Main Street, that will include the raising of the Italian flag. Chris Cogliano will play the national anthem.
A proclamation declaring October ItalianAmerican Heritage Month from the state will be presented by state Rep. Michelle Cook, DTorrington. Citations will be presented to Persechino by the state and the city of Torrington.
As part of his duties, the Italian Mayor of the Day will present 25 and 50year UNICO pins to Joe Quartero, Tom Fettarrotti, Dominic and Edgidio Mainella for their distinguished years of service.
This year’s guest speaker is Bruce Delaini, who will speak on his father’s service in WW11, with the Office of Special Services in Italy and France. Followed by refreshments and entertainment in the Auditorium, provided Nutmeg Ballet Dancers, along with Italian accordian music by Chris Cogliano. The public is invited to attend and celebrate the special day. For information, call Peggy Hotchkiss, Torrington Chapter of UNICO at 8606018508.
Persechino was born in Sant Apollinare, Italy on Oct. 29, 1934, one of seven children born to Antonio and Angelina Persechino, who migrated to Torrington in 1948. He grew up in a closeknit family of siblings including Lelia, Fiorello, Guerina, Diamonte, Peter and Attilia.
Persechino tells a funny story about joining the U.S. Army and becoming a citizen, all in the same day. The day he was enlisting in the Army, they asked if he was a citizen. He said no, and they said, “Raise your right hand.”
Upon returning from the service, Persechino married
Concetta Viincenza in 1960. They have been married for 60 years and have three children, Rob and his wife Laurie of New Hartford; Diane Lanese and her husband Michael of Waterbury; and Janet Persechino of Brighton, Mass.
“Everyone who knows Albert knows that family is everything to him and although he loves his wife and children, his grandchildren Jamieson, Andre, Robert, Ryan and Christopher are truly his pride and joy,” UNICO members said in a statement.
Persechino worked at Union Hardware, Torin and Seitz Corporation and final
ly retired from the Torrington Company. And although he retired, he can be seen running around Jimmy’s Store on daily basis, making meatballs, cutting meat or whatever needs to be done, UNICO members said. “When he’s not running around, Albert will always lend a hand, an ear or a shoulder to anyone who may in need.”
Persechino has lived in Torrington for 71 years. “If we had to sum up Alberto’s life in Torrington, two Italian mottoes come to mind: “Sempre Famiglia,” and “La Dolce Vita,” — family always, and the sweet (good) life,” UNICO members said.