Word comes that T. J. Della Pietra , will assume a newly created role as Chief Operating Officer for Citibank Japan Ltd. T. J. currently serves as Citi’s general counsel for Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong, and previously held various senior roles in Citi Japan from 2004 through 2009. T.J., his wife Sayaka and their sons, Nico and Teo will return to live in Tokyo because of this new position. In his new role, T. J. will oversee the global functions and provide key leadership on governance and controls in Japan. We congratulate T.J. and wish him the best in this new position.
Among the many family and friends who gathered to wish Carmella DellaPietra a happy 98th birthday were members of the DellaPietra family. Here are pictured her nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. Carmella was the recipient of many birthday calls, cards and visits by family and friends acknowledging her zest for life and warm personality. Carmella is the widow of Joseph DellaPietra. We wish her well and will be with her when she celebrates 100 years! "a cent anni"!
Happy news comes from Chicago where Kristine Schmehil tells us of the birth of her son, Vincenzo Amidio Simione on the afternoon of September 17, 2011. Kristine's grandparents are Betty LaPietra (dec.) and Robert Schmehil(dec.) and her great-grandparents are Albina (Croce) and Joseph LaPietra, both also deceased, of the LaPietra Family of Fairport, New York. Kristine has sent pictures of herself with Vinny as well as a picture of her father, Robert Schmehil, Jr. holding his grandson. Congratulations to the entire family on the new addition to the family.
It was a cousins' visit this October when Mark Bodogh, son of Al and Grace Farro Bodogh, traveled from Niagara Falls, Ontario, with his son, Joseph, to East Rochester. It was an opportunity to connect with family as well as tour a small part of the City of Rochester.
Young Joseph had an enjoyable time at the Strong National Museum of Play where he is pictured here with his father in front of the house at Sesame Street.
Congratulations go out to Heather Sudano, daughter of Susan Petti Sudano of Reno, Nevada and granddaughter of Elizabeth LaPietra Petti of East Rochester. Heather stopped to see her grandmother, pictured here, on her way to London where she is studying at the Hult International Business School. The school has 5 locations around the world: San Francisco, Boston, London, Shanghai and Dubai. Heather is among more than 150 students from more than 50 countries in this very diverse student body. She is in a 1 year Masters program in International Business and will complete her studies in late 2012. We hope that Heather enjoys all the sights of London and its surroundings.
In Memoriam
It is with sad hearts that we learned of the death of Anthony (Tony) LaPietra on September 20, 2011 at the age of 78. "Lap", as he was known, was the son of Nicola and Victoria LaPietra of East Rochester. He is survived by his wife, Jan, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and sisters. Our condolences to all who loved him.
click here to view a story on Tony's life, including the touching eulogy written by his son Todd
Cousins Linda Beauchamp Brongo (left) of Macedon, New York, daughter of Christine DellaPietra and Gerard Beauchamp and Carolyn DellaPietra Frost of Waltham, MA, daughter of Josephine and Paul DellaPietra had a happy reunion when they attended their joint Nazareth College reunion in June.
On Aug 5, 2011, Krishna Pacifici received his PhD in Wildlife Biology from the University of Georgia. Krishna, his wife Lara (Brongo) Pacifici, and son Sammy, have since moved to Raleigh NC, where Krishna and Lara are now both on the faculty of NC State University.
Condolences to the family of George Ciarelli who passed away on July 2, 2011 at age 85. George was a member of the LaPietra Family Tree, his mother being Anna LaPietra Ciarelli, sister of Francesco Paolo LaPietra of Fairport. In his lifetime, George was called on to be the photographer for many family events for both the LaPietra and DellaPietra families. Some of his photos are featured in the gallery section of this website. May he rest in peace.
On June 20, 2011, Katie Shanley, daughter of Patrick and Jeanne (Beauchamp) Shanley, and granddaughter of Gerard and the late Christine (Della Pietra) Beauchamp, married Justin Byrd. Katie's father Pat, is a deacon, so on Father's Day, he walked his daughter down the aisle, then went up to the altar, put on his vestments, and married Katie and Justin!
Their reception was held at the Della Pietra/Beauchamp homestead at 960 W. Linden Ave, East Rochester.
Florida residents, Tony and Margo DellaPietra, traveled to Hong Kong in April to visit Tony's son, TJ and family. Their time spent with TJ, Sayaka and grandsons, Nico and Teo, was most enjoyable. They reported that the boys are growing quickly and that the city of Hong Kong is spell-binding. A return visit is in the future.
There was a mini reunion of cousins recently when Tom Meleo, son of Rosemarie (DellaPietra) and Ralph Meleo and Steve DellaPietra, son of Pat and Dan DellaPietra, both of the New York City area attended a concert by the band, The Waiting Room. Rich DellaPietra, son of Monica and Gene DellaPietra and a resident of Fairport, NY, is a member of the band. Rich plays the keyboard and sings with this group that features the music of Genesis and Peter Gabriel. The Waiting Room's gig in New York City brought the three second cousins together after the performance.
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A link to the group, The Waiting Room, can be found by clicking the "Links" tab to the left.)
On Friday May 13, 2011, Samson "Sammy" Brongo Pacifici was born. He is the son of Krishna and Lara (Brongo) Pacifici, grandson of Ralph and Linda (Beauchamp) Brongo, and great grandson of Gerard and the late Christine (Della Pietra) Beauchamp. Yes, he was born on Friday the 13th, just like his Grandpa Brongo!
Condolences to the family of Joseph Petti of East Rochester who passed away on April 7, 2011. Joseph was the husband of Liz (LaPietra) and the father to Gary of Florida, Susan of Nevada, Wayne of East Rochester and Jack of Penfield. He leaves behind grand children and great grand children and a family that will deeply miss him.
Frances Chiappetta-Maassen, daughter of Florence (Farro) and Joseph Chiappetta of Toronto and a member of the Sacco family tree is busy with the show Sister Act which opened in Hamburg, Germany in December, 2010. Frances began dancing as a young girl in Toronto and has followed this career since finishing dance school. Currently, she is the dance captain and swing in this production. The musical version of the movie, Sister Act, opened in London last year and opened on Broadway in New York City in April 2011. Two new productions of Sister Act will be opening this summer for 8 weeks in Vienna and 8 weeks in Milan and Frances will be dancing her way to these cities. Good luck, Frances, with these shows.
Nicole Petti Lewis traveled from Florida with her daughters Avery and Emma to visit with Grandparents Liz (LaPietra) and Joe Petti in East Rochester. The occasion was her grandfather's 88th birthday in March. Nicole is the daughter of Millie and Gary Petti. Also visiting at this time was Michelle Sudano.
Back: Jessica Petti, Nicole Lewis, Michelle Sudano, Jeanette Petti
Michelle Sudano, daughter of Susan Petti Sudano, completes her first year of law school at William and Mary in April. She will then participate in a 10 week internship in Cordoba, Argentina. While there, Michelle will be working for an environmental NGO called CEDHA that looks at environmental issues from a human rights perspective. (how does pollution from mining affect the water supply and agricultural land) Michelle expects to be researching international legislation and while working with other staff she will be using her Spanish skills. She is the granddaughter of Liz (LaPietra) Petti and Joseph Petti. We wish her loads of luck in this endeavor.
Front: Avery Lewis, Liz (LaPietra) Petti, Joe Petti and Emma Lewis
Many family members have been on the road since the year began.
Todd LaPietra, son of Jan and Tony (Lap) LaPietra and a resident of San Francisco, met his second cousin T.J. DellaPietra (son of Tony DellaPietra) while in Hong Kong on business for Apple Computers.
Patricia LaPietra Bowmer ( daughter of Victoria and Nick LaPietra) and her daughters made a quick trip from Tennessee to Rochester to visit with her brother and their uncle, Tony (Lap) LaPietra and sister and aunt, Joanne Bazinet.
Wintering in Florida allows cousins to meet and visit as is the case with Florence (daughter of Mary and Nucce Farro) and Joe Chiappetta of Toronto having dinner with Margo and Tony DellaPietra and Monica and Gene DellaPietra, the sons of Josephine and Paul DellaPietra.
A winter visit from sunny Florida found Millie and Gary Petti, and their son, Neil, returning to the home in East Rochester of Gary’s parents, Elizabeth LaPietra and Joseph Petti.
Here are Matteo ("Teo") DellaPietra and Nicola ("Nico") DellaPietra smiling for the camera. They are sons of T.J. DellaPietra and Sayaka Fujimoto, who reside in Hong Kong, China.
Bernie Beauchamp, son of Christina Della Pietra Beauchamp and Gerard Beauchamp is currently planning another cross country roadtrip performing with his marionette puppets. Just like his journey two years ago (see 2009 news below), he is booking shows across I-80 and I-90 between Reno, NV and Rochester NY before continuing south to the National Puppetry Festival in Atlanta, GA.
Having never before performed in Florida, Bernie would welcome the opportunity to reconnect with family members there either before or
after the Atlanta Festival July 12-17, 2011.
If you would like to learn more about Bernie's puppetry offerings check out his website: www.beaupromo.com.
Bernie is also an active participant on Facebook should you care to contact him there.