City Hall was packed Monday evening with friends and family of the seven Peekskill residents honored as part of October’s Italian American Heritage month. It was the first time the city honored its residents of Italian descent.
Italian American Heritage month was first celebrated in 1989 by a special proclamation of both Congress and President Geroge H.W. Bush. It is celebrated every year to honor and recognize the centuries of achievements, successes, and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans.
“So many of Peekskill residents came here from Italy for a better life,” said Deputy Mayor Patricia Salvate Riley “and they brought the fabric of the Italian heritage to Peekskill.” Riley talked of her parents who emigrated from Italy and how she grew up speaking Italian and English at home.
Honorees included Joann Boniello, David Carbone, Doug Ferony, Sophia Ferony, John Isabella Jr., Rocco Picciano Jr. and Carlo Vidrini. Each honoree came forward and Mayor Vivian McKenzie read a proclamation about them.
Joann Boniello is a lifelong resident of Peekskill. She is a devoted wife and mother. She and her husband are the proud parents of four sons. She currently works as a registered nurse at NY Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital. She executes this role with professionalism, compassion and a commitment to patient care. 
Joann has served the community in various capacities. She served as Vice President and President of the Hillcrest Home School Association, a board member of the Lapolla Little League and is the founder of the Peekskill Community Garden. She has spent countless hours planning the beds, fencing in the area and coordinating assignment of the plots. She is also one of the original volunteers for Retake and Remake, a creative arts reuse store in the Hat Factory.
David Carbone has been a musician since the age of four, is a lifelong resident of Peekskill and an outstanding photographer. He oversees thousands of pictures annually for Peekskill and surrounding cities.
He can always be seen with his camera capturing events and fighting for special causes such as a clean Majestic Hudson River. He supports Peekskill community events and provides photographs, videos and newscasts from his Facebook group “Peekskill Today”. He uses photography as an inspiration for many.
Doug Ferony is a lifelong resident of Peekskill. He grew up working in the family business, Ferony’s Delicatessen, which was located on Welcher Avenue. Doug is the proud father of Sophia and Darren whom he raised in Peekskill with his late wife Joan. Doug also enjoyed an acting and singing career.
He appeared in many major films such as the Good Fellas, Back to School and The Irishmen. He was also featured in the TV shows, Law and Order SVU, and the Sopranos. He started the Doug Ferony Show Band in the 1990’s. His band has performed at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theatre, in numerous Peekskill parades and the Christmas Tree Lighting. Doug believes in sharing his gift. His band has played for assisted living facilities, hospitals, church groups and fundraisers.
Sophia Ferony is a long-time resident of Peekskill and proud business owner of Fuhgeddaboutit Deli Bagel Grill since 2017. She counts it an honor and a privilege to keep the Italian culture prosperous in Peekskill. Sophia’s Italian heritage stems from her father, Doug Ferony, who with her late mother, Joan, raised Sophia to embody a spirit of love of life, family and to count your blessings.
She tries to capture these same values in the interactions with her patrons, vendors and staff. She along with her staff proudly wear red every Friday in support of the Remember Everyone Deployed Initiative. Sophia uses her store to give back through sponsoring events, charities and fundraisers, spreading awareness of events and hosting Pop Up shops outside of the store.
John Isabella Jr. was born and raised in Peekskill. He is a Peekskill High School graduate of the Class of 1974. John has worked for the City of Peekskill in the Parks and Recreation Department as a camp counselor, life guard and ice-skating supervisor. He also served as a Student Teacher for the Peekskill City School District while pursuing a Master of Science Degree.
John is the devoted husband of Debbie Isabella and proud father of John and Jenna. They have one granddaughter, Sabrina. John has served the City of Peekskill in various capacities. At the age of 20, John was the youngest Democratic District Leader and later became the Treasurer. He has been a member of the Peekskill Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years and is the Co-Founder and President of the Assumption School Alumni Organization.
Rocco Picciano Jr. is one of seven children, who was born and raised in Peekskill. As a young boy, he worked in the family business, Roccio Picciano Fuel, which was located on Brown Street in Peekskill. Later, it moved to Washington Street and became Peekskill Ice and Eastern Oil Company. It is one of the longest active companies in Peekskill. Peekskill Ice and Eastern Oil Company will soon celebrate 82 years of service.
To this day, Rocco Jr. along with his youngest brother Philip, continue to work hard in the business, which employs members of the family as well as local individuals. Rocco Jr. has been a volunteer for the Peekskill Fire Patrol since 1962. He donates his time, finances and resources to many local events, school sports teams and churches. Rocco Jr. is surrounded by the love of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Spending time with his family means everything to him.
Carlo Vidrini, who was born and raised in Italy, has worked for the Peekskill City School District for 10 years. Throughout his tenure, Carlo touched the lives of many young students and made a creative impact on them along their academic journeys. Carlo has been instrumental as a Robotics Teacher.
He turned the Peekskill High School Robotics Program into a powerhouse. He prepares the students for Regional and State Competitions. In 2018, Carlo and the PHS Iron and Mechanical Devils Robotics Team, won the PTC Design Award and qualified for the state finals. In the early stages of the Russian-Ukrainian War, Carlo and the robotics program made and packed 28 solar panel kits for the people of Ukraine.
