GRAND MARSHAL
Carmine Gizzo
Honoring Carmine Gizzo, a lifelong Eastchester resident whose commitment to family, community, and Italian heritage has left a lasting mark on the town he calls home.
For the past 17 years, Carmine has served as President of the Eastchester Italian American Citizens Club. Under his leadership, the Club has expanded its membership, increased scholarship opportunities for local students, strengthened its financial foundation, and improved its facilities for future generations. Most importantly, he has remained steadfast in the Club's mission of preserving and celebrating Italian heritage and ensuring that the values, traditions, and culture of the Italian American community continue to thrive in Eastchester.
Carmine's dedication to the Eastchester community extends well beyond the Club. Through his contracting business and his current role as the Town's Compliance and Safety Officer, he has built lasting relationships with neighbors, families, and friends throughout the community. A lifelong resident, Carmine continues to serve the town he has proudly called home, giving back to the community that has been such an important part of his life.
Among the roles Carmine cherishes most are those of husband, father, and grandfather. He and his wife, Laraine, have been married for nearly 40 years and have built a wonderful family together, including their two married sons and two beautiful grandchildren. Many Eastchester families also know Carmine from the baseball fields, basketball courts, and hockey rinks throughout town. As a coach, he spent years supporting and encouraging his sons, as well as countless young athletes, helping create memories and friendships that extended far beyond the games themselves.
Whether leading the Italian Club, serving the Town of Eastchester, coaching local youth sports, or spending time with family and friends, Carmine has always remained deeply connected to the community. His leadership, generosity, and pride in Eastchester have helped strengthen the organizations and people around him, making him a truly deserving honoree.
Monsignor Anthony Maltese Humanitarian Award
Deanna Ricciardi
I was blessed to be born into a big, incredible, loving family, and later blessed again to marry my high school sweetheart and become part of another equally loving family. Together, we share four wonderful children, the loves of their lives, and five beautiful, joyful grandchildren, five little blessings who bring so much love into our lives.
I have been a hairstylist since the ninth grade, a profession that has given me the beautiful privilege of meeting and caring for so many people throughout the years.
At 30, my life changed when the God I had always known revealed His love to me in a deeper way through His Son, Jesus. That moment became a turning point in my life and opened my heart to a desire to share His love with others.
At that pivotal time, I also began writing. By God’s grace, I have since self-published three books, two of which have received Mom’s Choice Awards. Writing has become another way for me to share a message of faith, hope, and love.
For more than 20 years, I have been privileged to share the love of God with children through the IHM Religious Education program, serving students from first through eighth grade at different times. It has been a gift to walk alongside young people and their families.
In 2018, our community experienced tremendous heartbreak as too many families were saying goodbye to their children because of overdose and suicide. Alongside a group of dear friends, we came together simply because there was a need and because we could not stand by without trying to help. What began with a desire to offer friendship, support, compassion, and love has continued for nearly ten years. I am deeply grateful for every person who has been part of that journey.
Today, I feel equally blessed to have another opportunity to share God’s incredible love through storytelling and film. I am preparing to bring my feature-length screenplays to a pitch festival, and I place that opportunity in God’s hands, praying that whatever comes from it will touch hearts and bring hope to others.
I am humbled beyond words by this recognition. Any good that has come from my life has been made possible through the love and grace of God and through the countless family members, friends, teachers, students, and members of my community who have walked beside me.
I am simply grateful to be part of such an extraordinary family and community, and grateful for every opportunity to love, serve, encourage, and perhaps make someone’s journey a little easier as we walk side-by-side.
PATRICIA FORGIONE - Patricia Forgione Realty Network
Pat Forgione has been a proud Eastchester resident with her husband, Joe, for the past 57 years. Together, they have raised three children, and Pat is now a proud grandmother of five, all of whom live locally.
In 1995, Pat founded Patricia Forgione’s Realty Network, Inc. What began with just three agents has grown into a successful, respected firm of more than 20 professionals. Throughout her career, Pat has built an exceptional referral-based business by consistently going above and beyond for her clients. Her commitment to personalized service, integrity, and professionalism has earned her a reputation for unsurpassed experience, market knowledge, and discreet professionalism.
A well-respected member of the Eastchester community, Pat has generously dedicated her time and talents to numerous local organizations and causes. Over the years, she has offered her time and support to Eastchester Seniors, the Eastchester Historical Society, the Town of Eastchester’s 250th Anniversary Committee, and the Immaculate Conception Parish. She has also proudly supported the Eastchester 5K, St. Patrick’s Day, and Columbus Day celebrations.
Outside of real estate and community involvement, Pat enjoys cooking, gardening, and, most of all, spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her deep roots in Eastchester and genuine love for the community continue to be an important part of both her personal and professional life.
Pat is deeply honored to be recognized as the recipient of the Eastchester Columbus Day Michael Provenzale Community Service Award!
David R. DiRubba Community Service Award
Angelo lotto
Angelo Lotto moved to Eastchester from Mount Vernon in 1978 and has been part of the community ever since. Guided by the values of hard work and service passed down from his parents, Romeo and Lidia, Angelo built a life centered on family, athletics, education, and helping others. He and his wife, Adele, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of Sophia and Romeo, both Eastchester High School graduates and student-athletes.
A proud graduate of Eastchester High School's Class of 1991, Angelo went on to play soccer at Iona College on scholarship before earning his bachelor's degree from Manhattan College. He began his career as a physical education teacher in the Bronx, proving early on that he had the patience, energy and whistle-blowing skills needed to guide young people.
For 28 years, Angelo has served Eastchester's Boys Varsity Soccer Program with enthusiasm and heart. His dedication to student-athletes reflects the same qualities he brings to everything he does; loyalty, discipline, generosity and just enough sideline volume to make sure everyone knows where to be.
Since 1999, Angelo has also brought people together through his well-known Sophia's Pizza & Pasta establishment on McLean Avenue in Yonkers. His generosity is as familiar as his pizza; from donating meals to local seniors and community groups to supporting Eastchester Athletes and school celebrations. Angelo is always ready to help - and usually with enough food to feed twice the crowd.
A lifelong sports fan, community supporter and proud Italian-American, Angelo has remained deeply connected to the town he calls home. Friends know him as the 'guy who knows a guy' - and if that guy cannot help, Angelo probably knows his cousin.
Angelo Lotto is honored to be recognized during the 2026 Eastchester Columbus Day Parade, celebration of heritage, service and community pride. With his devotion to family, his decades of coaching, his generosity, and his lasting love for Eastchester, Angelo is a most deserving honoree - and proof that a good community, like a good pizza, is built by bringing people together.
