Board Members

I was born in Antioch, California in 1938 (there was no hospital in Pittsburg) to parents Salvatore “Duke” Di Maggio and Stella Verga Di Maggio. I resided in Pittsburg until I was about five or six years old. I have many recollections and memories of that time. Relocated to Monterey around 1941-42 where my father was a fisherman, and my mother worked in the cannery. I attended Monterey schools up through the seventh grade. I then returned to Pittsburg around 1950-51, having left Monterey because my father was a sardine fisherman and the sardines were basically fished out around 1948.

I worked several jobs through my high school years and met Midge Bonanno, my future wife, in the last few months of high school. After our high school graduation in 1956 I joined the army reserves and went through basic training at Fort Ord in Monterey, and was later sent to the East Coast for truck driver training and became a platoon sergeant and specialist 5th class. Midge went on to Beauty School. When I was honorably discharged and Midge graduated from college, we married in 1959 and relocated from Pittsburg to Oakland, California. I spent seven years as an electrical draftsman in Oakland and Midge worked as a hairdresser. When our first child was on its way, we purchased a fourplex where we resided for five years. We also opened our own beauty shop during those years. When our second child was on its way, we purchased our first home in Piedmont, California.

Midge and I were Godparents to Danny Lineweaver, the youngest son of our good friends, Rose and John Lineweaver. Unfortunately, at the age of 23 months, Danny was severely injured in a strangulation accident when he became entangled on an extended corner post of his baby crib. The Lineweaver’s started a non-profit organization, The Danny Foundation, in order to address this senseless problem, which killed or injured thousands of babies. Midge and I were original Board members of the Danny Foundation, and served many years between 1987 until it completed its mission and closed in 2005. During that 20-year period, new safety standards for the manufacturing of baby cribs have been established or revised, and thanks to the work of The Danny Foundation, modern cribs are now safe for infants. Check out the website www.dannyfoundation.com.

In 1970 I acquired a Real Estate Brokers license and eventually formed Di Maggio Investment Company in which formed Limited Partnerships to purchase and rehabilitate apartment buildings throughout the Bay Area. In addition, I purchased and renovated many single-family homes.

I am currently a member of the Colombo Club which is the largest and oldest Italian club this side of the Mississippi River, the Sons of Italy Foundation, the East Bay Rental Association, past membership being the local Real Estate Board, and the Elks Club of Oakland. I am also listed in the Fifteenth Edition (1985-1986) of Who’s Who in California.

In 1990 Midge and I attended my Godparents renewal of their wedding vows in Isola delle Femmine, Sicily at which time I met the then Mayor Vincenzo DiMaggio and Antonino Scala. We discussed the possibility of a Sister City relations with Pittsburg. When I returned home, I contacted Frank Bruno, who was on the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce Board and we discussed the idea of forming a Pittsburg-Isola delle Femmine Sister City Committee. In 1991 the sister city was formed and we hosted a delegation from Isola to Pittsburg. The rest is history.

We currently reside in Piedmont, California and have for over fifty years. We have been married for over 60 years. Our daughter Debbi Di Maggio Betta was born in 1964, our son Michael Vincent was born in 1968, our granddaughter Bianca Rose Betta was born in 1992, our grandson, Chase Di Maggio Betta was born in 1997. Granddaughter Alexandra Grace Di Maggio born in 1999 and Cole Michael Di Maggio was born in 2002.

I was born in Pittsburg California attended Saint Peter Martyr School, Hillview Junior High and graduated from Pittsburg Senior High School, Class of “67”. After graduation I attended Diablo Valley College.

My parents James Pappas, who served in WWII, US Marine Corp, and Leonore Lombardo were born in Pittsburg as were both of their mothers. All of my great grandparents immigrated from Isola delle Femmine at the same time, at the end of the 1880’s.

My paternal grandmother Mary Aiello Pappas, born in 1903. Her parents my great grandparents Francesco Aiello, a fisherman and Rose Flores (Cardinale family name).

My grandmother Mary was an original, way ahead of her time. She married my grandfather George Pappas who was born in Zakynthos (Zante) Greece and served for the United States in WWI and was wounded in Germany. To feed her family she became an entrepreneur during the depression and excelled at business during WWII. She owned and operated 2 neighborhood grocery stores, 3 restaurants and 2 bars, and had many rental properties, all in Pittsburg and all at the same time, while all four of her sons served in the war. She did it all with only a middle school education, she graduated in 1915.

My maternal grandmother Virginia Cataldo Lombardo was born in 1904. Her parents were Angelina DiMaggio and Arasimo Cataldo, from Isola. She married Paul Lombardo who was born in Isola delle Femmine, Sicily and came to Pittsburg as infant (family name Lucido).

In 1968, I married Salvatore N. Coniglio. Sal came to Pittsburg in 1964 at age 18 and was born and raised in Isola delle Femmine. We have three sons Joseph J. (Planner, Garaventa Ent.). James S. (Environmental Biologist for Jacobs). Jim has and is currently serving as a City of Pittsburg Planning Commissioner. Our youngest son is Salvatore M Coniglio (Vice President for Recology). We raised all three boys in Pittsburg and they graduated from Pittsburg High School.

Our boys have always been very active in the community. Their success led me to become involved and I quickly become the President of the Pittsburg High School Athletic Booster and the creation of the first 24 Hour Relay to raise funds for Pittsburg High School Athletics.

In 2010 I retired from the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Vice President/CEO. During my time at the Chamber 1993-2010 I created programs and events for the City of Pittsburg to promote the Old Town/Downtown area. I kept Chamber members informed on local governmental issues that could effected their businesses and together we developed solutions and worked successfully, side by side with the City of Pittsburg, for everyone’s benefit.

I am also very proud to have been able to have produced the Pittsburg Seafood Festival and created the first Air Shows, Power Boat Races, California Zinfandel Championship Competitions, Splash Dogs competition, and Celebrity Chefs Shows with Joey Altman and Joanne Weir. I am especially proud that we were successful and we were able to donate thousands of dollars to many local non-profit organizations to continue their dedication to our community and local students.

I am a past member of Pittsburg Rotary, where my son Sal and I were the first mother and son members, at the same time. I was a member of Kiwanis, as well as a member of Soroptimist International of Pittsburg and I was an honored recipient of the Women’s Achievement Award.

Currently I am a member of the Pittsburg Historical Society, former secretary, and have served as a chef for many large dinner events to help create awareness, promoted and raise funds for the local Pittsburg Elks Lodge. My husband I are members of the Italian American Club, in Pittsburg.

In addition, I am active participant in the Pittsburg Arts & Community Foundation. I assisted in the production of the ZinDin/California Zinfandel Championship Competition event. I am also an active, working Artist and promote Art classes and exhibits for the Pittsburg Foundation. I have exhibited paintings in art shows ever since I was in junior high school and have won awards.

I became a part of the original Pittsburg Isola delle Femmine Sister City Committee in 1992. Frank B Bruno invited me to join him and Vincent S. DiMaggio at the first official Sister City Committee meeting and asked me to assist them with fundraisers and Sister City trips to visit Isola delle Femmine. Together, we have worked with other community leaders and committee members to promote, educate, and encourage Pittsburg’s citizens to visit Isola delle Femmine and the surrounding area, of Sicily and Italy. This effort has become extremely satisfying. We have opened the minds of our citizens and students. Together we have enhanced cultural differences and awareness, promoted business and exchanged cultural ideas on both sides.

I have been honored to have produce most of the official Sister City visits from Pittsburg to some of Pittsburg’s Sister Cities and to have been able to have created event for all of the official visiting dignitaries who have come to visit our city. Some of which were executed while I was the Executive VP/CEO of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce. I worked closely with City of Pittsburg staff and elected officials as well as gaining sponsorship for the many of the Sister City events for our community. These events promoted heritage that help to shape Pittsburg and helped to create the community we live in today.

I was born in 1967 at the Concord Community hospital to Daniel Pellegrini and Susan Lombardi Pellegrini. I am the oldest of two daughters. (my sister is Michelle Pellegrini-Ferguson). My maternal grandparents, Frank and Louise (Pariani) Lombardi were born and raised in Port Chicago and moved to Martinez in 1968. My paternal grandparents, Antone Pellegrini, and Petrina Frances (Lucido) Pellegrini both were born at Grangers Wharf and lived in Martinez. My great grandparents, Francesco Paolo Lucido and Providenza (Costanza) Lucido came to the United States from Sicily in the early 1900’s. Both of my paternal great grandfathers, Francesco Lucido and Luigi Pellegrini, and my paternal grandfather, Antone Pellegrini were commercial fisherman.

I grew up in Martinez and graduated from Alhambra High school in 1985. I attended Diablo Valley College and started working for Contra Costa County in August of 1988. Throughout my career with the County, I have worked for the Sheriff’s Office, Superior Court, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and for the last 18 years I’ve been with Department of Conservation and Development in the Current Planning Department.

I am a member of St. Catherine’s Church and the Martinez Bocce Federation.

Throughout the years, I have volunteered for St. Catherine’s School Auction Committee, John Muir PTA, John Muir Auction Committee, Alhambra Grad Night, Alhambra Booster Club, Girl Scouts, Martinez Youth Baseball and Softball, and the team mom for Alhambra Varsity Football.

I’m the proud mother of my children: Son, John, my daughter, Courtney, and my son in law, Ryan.

I am the proud son of Vincent J. and Martha (Rodriquez) Ferrante. I was born and raised in Pittsburg, California. I am married to my wife Nicole and we have two children, Michaela and M. C.

My maternal ancestors were pioneer ranching, farming settlers in the boarder region around Presidio, Texas since the 1700’s. My paternal ancestors that emigrated to America are all descended from Isola delle Femmine, Sicily and were part of a centuries old fishing culture that crossed the ocean from the old world to the new to continue their trade.

My great grandfather, Vincenzo Ferrante, was brought to America in 1899 by his older brother Pietro. The elder Ferrante brothers began settling in the Sicilian fishing village of New York Landing in Black Diamond (present day Pittsburg) as commercial fishermen in 1888. By 1905 Vincenzo relocated to Monterey, California let by brother Pietro along with several Sicilian Pittsburg fishermen families to work with F.E. Booth Canners to establish the Monterey sardine fishing industry on a grand scale. Monterey would be the birthplace of my nano Oratzio (who continued the fishing tradition in Monterey, Alaska, and Mexico) as well as my father Vincent. My father’s maternal ancestors settled in Martinez in the Italian fishing village around Grangers Wharf working as a commercial fisherman themselves in the Sacramento Delta and Alaska. My second great grandfather Giovanni Billeci arrived in 1898 followed by my great grandfather Vincenzo Di Maggio in 1901 and their families. My nanna Marion Di Maggio was born in Martinez.

I am currently a Field Foreman for Contra Costa Electric and have been a member of Electrical Workers Local Union #302 in Martinez for 34 years. I have served my community in various capacities including 12 years on the Pittsburg Board of Education with three terms as Board President. I’m currently the President of the Pittsburg Italian American Club; Historian for the Pittsburg Historical Society; Board member for the Future Leaders of American Latino Youth Leadership Program-East Bay Area; Historian Advisor for the Italian Heritage Society of Monterey Peninsula; Member of Sons of Italy, C. Columbo Lodge #1315; Member Italian American Studies Association, Western Region; Member of the Martinez Historical Society.

I am serving on The Friends of Isola delle Femmine, non-profit corporation in an effort to keep the history and cultural traditions of our ancestors alive; to strengthen the ties of our friends and relatives in our ancestral homeland of Isola delle Femmine, Sicily; to provide educational and cultural opportunities for our youth; and to share in common historical and cultural activities with like minded communities around us and abroad. I hope that you consider joining us in this great endeavor.

I was born to parents Andrew A. Grillo and Santina M. Bennetti (Her original family name was Benetti but the second “n” was added by a forceful teacher of one of her siblings, I was told.) My paternal grandparents were from Isola delle Femmine and Terrasini in Sicily. My maternal grandparents were from another small village in the Veneto region of Italy. Following typical Sicilian naming conventions, my first name is after my paternal grandfather but my middle name Angelo is also after my maternal grandfather. I am careful to include my middle initial in any formal correspondence since I have three cousins with the same first name. Both my parents were educated in Pittsburg and spoke English. My father also spoke Sicilian and my mother spoke Venetian. Those two Romance languages are so different from each other that they could only understand each other in English, therefore, English is what I grew up speaking. This, however, engendered in me a great desire to learn more about the country of my ancestors, including its language, in order to fully claim my family heritage.

Pittsburg, of course, even in the 1950s and 60s still included many derivatives of that Sicilian heritage through its many descendants. Growing up there gave me many opportunities to appreciate its customs. My mother, along with her close high school friend, had purchased the Pittsburg Florists during the World War II years. I worked at the store after school and on special occasions from age 12 through high school. Living and working in the Sicilian derived society of Pittsburg certainly gave me an opening view of my ancestry.

I attended St. Peter Martyr school and then Pittsburg High School. While my primary interests were Mathematics and science, I was able to include three years of Italian study at PHS. After high school graduation, I attended Stanford University graduating with Distinction and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society. While a student at Stanford, I was able to attend their campus in Firenze, Italy. This not only afforded me the opportunity to become much more fluent with the Italian language but to experience the culture of Italy for six months. While my interest and knowledge of that culture has not waned, my fluency with the language has certainly suffered from the lack of opportunity to use it. My last educational step was to complete a doctorate program at the University of California Santa Cruz with a thesis on Elementary Particle Physics.

I worked in the electronics industry of Silicon Valley for 13 years before the opportunity became available to return to UCSC and to my first interest in sub-atomic particle physics. I then spent 25 years as part of an international collaboration designing, building and operating a very large experimental facility at the CERN laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland. I am now retired but spend some time with my research group providing support for their continued research.

My wife Jean, also a Pittsburg native, and I live in Santa Cruz County. Our three children have started their own families, each having two children.

I have visited Isola delle Femmine twice so far, once while I was a student in Firenze and once just this past year while on vacation with my wife. I look forward to helping to provide better ties back to our ancestry and educating our descendants of their roots.

I am the younger of two sons (the other being Frank Jr.) of Frank “Peanut” Inzerillo and Donna (Cecchini) Inzerillo. Frank’s father Giovanni/John Inzerillo (Inzirillo) was one of nine children brought over to Pittsburg at a young age from Isola delle Femmine by Erasmo Inzerillo and his wife Maria Cattolico. My father was born and raised in Pittsburg, and he raised our family in Antioch. I never got to meet the older generation- including my paternal grandparents; I was however able to meet one of my grandfather’s brothers in the late 80s. Around 2016 I became interested in the family history and since then I’ve been asking a lot of questions and documenting what I can.

In 2017 I made a very short visit to Isola delle Femmine and I was able to easily find the old Inzerillo house at 70 Via Christofo Columbo (it had completely changed from the old picture I had with me, but one woman recognized the photo of how it looked decades ago). One evening, the friend I made (his family owned the apartment I was renting) took me around town. After we found the Inzerillo house (I didn’t go inside, it was thought to be storage for fishing gear), we went on a hunt for Inzerillos.

During our walk through the city, the power to the town went out! We used our cellphones like flashlights to continue our search- what an adventure! We found two Inzerillos. One was a fisherman, the other, I believe, was the original chief of police. That evening, I also met some gentlemen who have ties back to Pittsburg and know people on the FOI board. The strange thing is not long after my visit to Isola, I saw one of the Sicilian men I met in Isola at an event in Pittsburg when the mayor of Isola visited. He was sitting across from me!

Also in 2017, I started studying Italian. Since then I’ve been studying off and on haphazardly, but in 2020 I signed up for Italian 1 at Diablo Valley College and just completed the semester. I will be doing Italian 2 in the Fall and hopefully take it til the end with Italian 6. There are tons of resources online to learn the Sicilian language, which up until very recently did not exist- I have watched more and more resources emerge in the past few years, but at this point, for me, it would be much more practical to learn Italian.

I graduated Antioch High in 1995. From 5th to 12th grade I was a serious skateboarder- no school sports- After high school, I attended Heald College in Martinez. Straight from Heald I got a job with the Department of Veterans Affairs as an IT Specialist. In 2000 I started a band with my friends and 21 years later we are still going strong. We are a theatrical punk-metal band and we have been a headlining act since 2003. We have done seven headlining tours of the UK, played some shows in Europe, headlined a festival in the UK in 2015 to 6,000 people, but yet, we’ve only ever done one US west coast tour. Our songs have a positive message (wrapped in comedy) and countless people have told us how our music helped them get through a hard time in their life, or was the catalyst for them to make major changes to their lifestyle. At this point I’ve lost track of how many people around the world have tattoos of my band.

In 2007 I met my future wife Alise. We moved to Martinez in 2012, and got married in 2013. She also studies Italian and so far we have been to Isola, Palermo, Rome, Venice, Milan, and Riomaggiore. Covid cancelled a big trip we had planned in 2020 to see much of southern Italy and I was also going to meet a cousin I found in Perugia- not only do I have a male cousin waiting to meet me in Perugia, but he has a sister who lives in Palermo! We discovered them in late 2019 through a DNA test. They are exactly the same generation as me. Their great grandmother was the sister of my great grandfather.

I became a member of Friends of Isola delle Femmine I guess you could say because I’m looking for an Italian community. I was born so late that I virtually missed out on this with my own family. I was a child doing kid stuff when more of the extended family were around to do gatherings. As Director of the Martinez chapter, I will be working with the Board and other Martinez residents to build a bigger group presence in Martinez.