You know you go through life and you wonder just what the impact of your life could be on someone or a company or an organization like UNICO National.  If you really analyze the “Service above Self” motto, what does ask us to do?  Give back to the community?  Help a family member?  Get out of the house and be part of an organization or club? Or does it ask us to put others first and see what happens to us as individuals.

 

The Cedar Grove, NJ Chapter was blessed and honored to have as its leader for 23-1/2 years, Anthony Ricciardi.   He wasn’t the President of the Chapter all of those years, but every Chapter President relied on his guidance to make the Chapter the great one it has  become.  Tony was a man who embodied the motto, who lived it everyday and wished good things on everyone he met. I remember my first Chapter meeting almost 5 years ago, not knowing anybody.  My wife suggested that I get out and meet people.  While waiting outside the dining room with two other prospective new UNICANS, I started talking to them and a bond started to form, they were Cinzia Faieta and her sister-in-law Francene.  As it turned out Francene was Anthony’s daughter, so she was shoo in and Cinzia was related to her, so she was a shoo-in as well, me on the other hand, well 50/50 at best.  Not according to Tony-with his huge smile and warm heart we were all embraced as new members of the Cedar Grove, NJ Chapter and so the fun began.

 

Tony lived UNICO, he breathed it, it emanated from his pores.  He got people involved---he always said get new members involved early, get them on a committee, make them feel they are a part of something, make them feel what its like to be part of the best civic organization in the country, make them feel what its like to give back.  And so he did, he got Francene to start an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids and families in town.  It is now the highlight activity for our town in the spring.  Cinzia was right there beside her all the way.  He started bringing me to me District meetings, he saw something in me, just like he saw something special in everyone he met.  He really didn’t ask but suggested and with a smile like he had, who could refuse.  Meanwhile Tony ran the bus trips to A.C., always bringing Dottie, his wife along, always making suggestions and always smiling.

 

As our time progressed together, I started to see Tony’s influence throughout the Chapter, District and National levels.  John, he said, I think you should come to one of our Chapters Executive Committee meetings, so I did.  John, he said, I think you’d be a good person to head up our Scholarship Committee, so I did.  Keep in mind he wasn’t the Chapter President but he suggested.  I really didn’t know what this was all about but I knew if Tony suggested it he would be there by my side every step of the way.  He was like that. Whether it was for Anthony Latella, the NJ District IV DG or the Chapter Presidents or a new member, Tony was always right there for us. 

   

Tony wanted to see us succeed, he wanted UNICO National to succeed and he didn’t want anything in return. 

 

So now 2 years had passed and Tony came back from the convention and you could see he was beaming, he was elected to be Eastern Region District Governor.  “We’re the largest region in the country”, he used to say.  “This is a big job!”  “John-I want you to be my secretary for the meetings.”  “OK Tony” was my answer.  Again, how could I say no.  What a great job he did as ERDG.  His meetings were great, organized and well attended.  Of course, he would bring his lovely wife and always start the meeting off with a joke. 

 

So as this experience progressed Tony started inviting me over to his home, to give some counseling so to speak.  As it turned out Tony was counseling others as well.  DG Latella was over Tony’s 3 – 4 times a week.  We’d sit in the kitchen and Tony would feed us, Anthony with the Egg Salad and me with grilled Turkey and Cheese sandwiches, not just one but two.  He took pride in that.  He also fed us wisdom, he made suggestions and he guided us.  He always looked out for our Chapter and for UNICO as a whole.

 

Then it was time for Andre’s convention and Tony was elated to be asked to head the ad book.  What a daunting task, asking for money.  Paul you got the right guy!!  Who could  say no?  Who would not take no for an answer better than Tony-all the while making you feel special.

 

In the winter of 2008/2009 Tony started to not feel right.  He went to doctors and was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  Like everything he did, Tony faced this challenge with determination and a smile.  “We’re going to beat this thing”, he would tell us, and we all believed him.  At this past convention, I announced that he was cancer free.  We all thought he did beat this thing.  Boy were we all smiling!!

 

Of course, he wasn’t cancer free.  In the fall of 2009, it came back, this time with a vengeance.  Did that deter Tony?   Nah!  “So we’ve had a little setback, we’re still going to beat this”, he would say.  Well while he was in treatment, Tony had met a young man, named Chris Crum.  Chris was 34 and was diagnosed with the same thing as Tony.  As it turned out there treatment schedules were parallel to each other.  Chris has children and Tony wanted to do something special for his family for the Christmas holidays.  That’s what Tony did, remember like I said, he put others first and waited to see what happens. 

 

As Tony’s illness progressed, he made sure this took place.  At our first District meeting, Tony was there asking for the District to help this family.  Well he suggested and well, how could you say no.  Our district voted to give $750.00 in gift cards to the Crum family so the children could have a great Christmas.  On December 12, Tony handed the $750.00 to the Crums---9 days before died.  If that’s not a UNICAN, I don’t know what one is.  Service Above Self!!

   

Tony, died on December 21-and on a scale of 1 to 10-he was a 10+.   He left his wife of 49 years, Dorothy, four beautiful daughters and sons-in-law and five grandchildren.  He also left his UNICO family, physically, as for the rest of it, “We’ll take it under advisement.”  God Blessed us Tony—with you.

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