Brief History of the Italian-American Forum of Lodi
The Italian-American Forum of Lodi (IAF) was organized in 1977 by charter members Rosario Bivona, Marco Cangialosi, Willie Cangialosi, Al Fanale and Joseph LoGrasso. Proud of their heritage and equally proud of the many Italian-Americans who made their mark in America, these co-founders saw the need for such an organization to recognize these citizens and their deeds
The first monumental project in which the organization participated was as a rust of the earthquake of 1981, which devastated the Italian community of "Conza della Campania". Together, with the combined efforts of many local service groups, the IAF was instrumental in funding a pre-fabricated building to house the kindergarten students of this community.
The IAF also undertook the acquisition of a parcel of land from the Boro of Lodi , located on Memorial Drive, which is now known as Columbus Park. Charter member Marco Cangialosi and club members worked tirelessly raising funds to purchase funds used to purchase the statue of Christopher Columbus which is currently located there. The IAF currently assists the Boro in maintaining the park which is the site of the clubs annual Columbus Day ceremonies and hosts the kick-off of the annual Columbus Day Parade.
The IAF is responsible for awarding annual scholarship awards given to high schools students throughout the Bergen County area. Also, disbursing Thanksgiving food baskets for the needy and assistance with the catastrophic medical expenses of unfortunate local residents are IAF services. In addition, the IAF can be counted upon to provide assistance in deserving groups and individuals.
The IAF is the host of an annual golf outing, which has become the club's main fund raiser. Past recipients of the outing's proceeds have been Tomorrow's Children's Fund, the Leukemia Society of America, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, the ARC of Bergen & Passaic Counties, Cerebral Palsy-Bergen County, the Coalition for Brain Injury Research and the Earthquake Relief Fund.
The IAF meets at 7:00pm on the second Tuesday of the month (except July & August). At present, the membership is approximately 40 members strong. Membership is open to all proud Italian-Americans with desire to serve our community and our country.
Past Presidents
Alberto Fanale ..........................1977 - 78
Maurizio Bibona.........................1979
Marco Cangialosi.......................1980
Jack DiPiazza ...........................1981
Paolo Ribaudo...........................1982
David Giacomaro.......................1983
Joseph Natoli.............................1984
Guglielmo Mineo........................1985
Michael Sutera...........................1986
Stephen Lo Iacono, Jr................1987
Salvatore Fiorenzi......................1988
Anthony Tarabocchia.................1989
Thomas S. Bellavia....................1990
Salvatore A. Ingraffia..................1991
Giovanni Scolaro, Jr...................1992 - 93
Anthony Scolpino.......................1994 - 95
Joel Brizi.....................................1996 - 97
Guglielmo Mineo.........................1998 - 99
Andrew Cimiluca.........................2000 - 01
Ross Vilardi.................................2002 - 03
Gaetano LoBue...........................2004 - 05
Angelo Picciocchi........................2006 - 07
Anthony Mancini..........................2008 - 09
Joseph D'Amico..........................2010 - 11
John Maccarone.........................2012 - 14
Gary LoPinto...............................2015 - 16
Maurizio Bibona.........................1979
Marco Cangialosi.......................1980
Jack DiPiazza ...........................1981
Paolo Ribaudo...........................1982
David Giacomaro.......................1983
Joseph Natoli.............................1984
Guglielmo Mineo........................1985
Michael Sutera...........................1986
Stephen Lo Iacono, Jr................1987
Salvatore Fiorenzi......................1988
Anthony Tarabocchia.................1989
Thomas S. Bellavia....................1990
Salvatore A. Ingraffia..................1991
Giovanni Scolaro, Jr...................1992 - 93
Anthony Scolpino.......................1994 - 95
Joel Brizi.....................................1996 - 97
Guglielmo Mineo.........................1998 - 99
Andrew Cimiluca.........................2000 - 01
Ross Vilardi.................................2002 - 03
Gaetano LoBue...........................2004 - 05
Angelo Picciocchi........................2006 - 07
Anthony Mancini..........................2008 - 09
Joseph D'Amico..........................2010 - 11
John Maccarone.........................2012 - 14
Gary LoPinto...............................2015 - 16
Salvatore LoBue.........................2017 - present
