ITALIAN HERITAGE AWARD

Dave Passanise is honored

by the Italian Club of St. Louis

with The Italian Heritage Award

On October 19, Dave Passanise, owner of Maestro Screen Printing, accepted the Italian Heritage Award in a gracious speech to family, friends and club members at Favazza's Banquet Center. His inspirational words gave everyone insight into Dave's philosophy on life, and the principles that guide him. In Dave's words:

"Now, why am I here? (I stole that from Msgr. Pollizzi’s acceptance speech for the Mother Cabrini award at the Columbus dinner.

My speech won’t be quite as meaningful as his, or as long. I’m not much of a talker. I am a man of few words. In fact most of my text responses are only one word. Yes, No, OK, an occassional emoji heart, just for my wife Julie.

No, I really am glad to be here tonight to recieve this honor from the Italian Club. It feels good to be recognized for just doing what you love to do. I want to thank the Italian Club, it’s members, board members and president Chris Stephens for recognizing me for this award. It‘s clubs like this that I have been fortunate enough to work with. Working with so many community leaders that put in so much of their time. All these community leaders here, men and women, and many more not present, do so much all year long to promote and celebrate our Italian heritage. I’m proud to be a part of the Italian community. Over the past 35 years, I’ve gotten to know a lot of these leaders by working with them for some of their promotional needs for the many events going on over the years.

I’m really happy and fortunate to have most of my immediate family here tonight. My wife Julie, my sons Dave, Nick, Jon and Gabe. Gabe’s girlfriend Meredith, My brother Gary and his friend Francesca, Francesca’s daughters, Poppy and Hannah. My brother Dan and wis wife Marcia, my sister Teresa and her husband Terri, my grandsons Mateo and Sam Passanise. Our friends and neighbors, Kevin and Joanna Lowery.

This award really honors all our parents, grandparents and great grandparents who sacriced so much to make a bettter life for their families. The closeness and fun of both of my parents families inspired me to want to start my own family. Growing up I think the one lesson we learned in the the first or second grade religion class that really stuck with me throughout my life is the story of the good samaritan. The good samaritan would help anyone, even people that did not like him. I always thought I wanted to live like this. Luke 10:27 teaches, 'Love the Lord your God with all your hearts, and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, love your neighbor as yourself'.

I grew up on the Hill just over on Reber Place just behind Boccardi’s restaurant, going to St. Aloysius through the 8th grade. I made a lot of friends from St. Ambrose while playing CYC soccer as a kid. Some of these guys are still playing soccer today and are active in our community.

My Grandfather lived on Bischoff so we visited often and had a lot of family gatherings there. My paternal grandparents came through Ellis Island in 1912. My grandmother was pregnant during her journey. They had 12 children between the years of 1912 and 1930. All of their sons and 2 sons-in-law served during World War II. The girls who were of working age worked at supply factories. My maternal great grandparents immigrated back in the 1890’s. They all came from Augusta, Sicily. My mother’s mother Theresa Artale would tell us stories about when she was a little girl growing up downtown on Wharf Street. My uncle, Victor Passanise, would tell us stories about growing up during the depression. They were always good memories he had. Even though they didn’t have much they were truly happy. One of my favorite things he talked about was the vegetable guy who came around selling gaguzza’s. Long zucchini. He would do his arm like this.

As I grew up meeting more people on the Hill I would always hear about my dad, Santo, how he was such a great guy and always helping people out with his skills. He was a union tile and marble setter who was always helping someone with a remodel or new project around our home. He could make and repair almost anything. Sadly he passed away at the age of 57, 30 years ago, after a 2 year battle with lung cancer, attributed to his occupation.

The generosity of family members like my father, his brothers and my mother’s family inspired me to try to be like them and make them proud. They would be so happy to see what this community has become.

I’d like to thank everyone for coming here tonight. I’m thankful for the support of my family and friends. Thanks to the staff here at Favazza’s. I love having dinner here with a large group when it’s not for a funeral luncheon. Thanks again to the Italian Club for keeping our traditions alive. Buona notte!"