2019 Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro Award Honorees: John A. Saladino and Joanne L. Strollo

dr. vIncenzO SellarO award - 2019 hOnOreeS

John A. Saladino

John A. Saladino joined the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America in 1964, becoming a member of the Medford Lodge #1359 in Massachusetts. He quickly rose in the ranks, being elected Lodge President in 1966 and serving two terms. In the early 1970s, Mr. Saladino transferred to the Winchester Lodge #1580 in Massachusetts and served as Lodge President for three terms. Mr. Saladino has served as National Delegate for Massachusetts for exactly half a century, having been appointed to the position back in 1969. He has since held many positions on the national level, including two terms as National Recording Secretary. Mr. Saladino also has the distinction of being the Order’s first Executive Director, working in the position from 1981 to 1982. He also served as National Deputy to the Grand Lodge of Maryland for 15 years. Today, he serves as National Trustee, a position he has held since 2015. Mr. Saladino has received several honors during his time with the Order. In 1969, his local lodge named him “Man of the Year.” In 2004, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts honored him with the Golden Lion Award. In addition to his membership with the Order, Mr. Saladino has been a member of other esteemed organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and the Loyal Order of Moose. In 1995, Mr. Saladino retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having worked as a Tax Supervisor with the Department of Revenue. He enjoys spending time with his two sons (John R. Saladino and US Army Colonel Gary M. Saladino), three grandchildren, and, of course, his significant other, Elizabeth “Betty” Sandquist.

Joanne L. Strollo

Joanne L. Strollo, daughter of Ernest and Nicoletta Strollo, has the distinction of being the first woman to serve as National President of the Order Sons of Italy in America. During her term, which lasted from 1993 to 1995, the Grand Lodge of Colorado was organized and installed (the first Grand Lodge installation since the 1970s), Alzheimer’s Association was approved as a national charity, and the national by-laws were changed from being gender specific. She is a member of the Ernest M. Strollo Lodge #683 named after the lodge founder, her father. She held many positions in the lodge. In 1971, she was elected President of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania’s Woman’s Division and served for five terms. In 1981, Joanne became the first woman to be elected as National Financial Secretary of the Supreme Council. She served two terms before being elected as National 4th Vice President, National 3rd Vice President, National 2nd Vice President and National 1st Vice President. Joanne Strollo was then unanimously elected the Order’s first Woman National President. Along with her Sons of Italy activities, she was the Office Manager of John Hancock Insurance Company retiring in 1995. Sister Strollo has been honored by the Chaplain of Four Chaplains, Tri-State Italian-American Congress, various Grand Lodges, and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania as Woman of the Year. In 2006, she was listed in Who’s Who American Woman. Following her term as National President, Sister Strollo has continued to serve in various positions including presently as Sons of Italy Foundation Trustee and co-chair of the Marconi Award Committee.