The Italian community afflicted by the loss of a dear friend

Often the loss of a close friend causes pain, anguish and distress to all the people that in life loved him/her. When the person that died, was a special human being under many respects, a person that deeply loved his relatives and friends, the separation is always more painful and strenuous. This is the case of Steve Inglese, a man that everybody loved and respected because of his pleasantness and sincerity, because he sincerely cared for the people that surrounded him and the people that occasionally got acquainted with him. Probably because when he grew up Steve had a hard life, he was more aware of other people’ problems, and everybody whose life was touched by Steve one way or another, couldn’t help feeling very sad and upset when they heard that Steve had passed away.

He was certainly a very sincere friend to many, a devoted husband and father and a true pillar of the community. He was also a very talented man that could build practically anything in his garage. A few years ago, I remember him telling me that in a few days he would be leaving for Chile to attend an international conference in Santiago.

When he explained that the Region Abruzzo in Italy periodically delegated him to foreign countries to participate to conventions where he would meet Abruzzesi delegates from all over the world, I became interested in learning more about the subjects discussed in such conferences, and jokingly told him that I was ready to join him and travel to Santiago. He explained to me that he would be traveling with his wife Mercede and that I would be welcome to join them should I decide to travel to Chile. I remember asking him if I was willing to extend the trip to Argentina and Brazil to make the trip more interesting. Steve discussed the matter with Mercede and reported to me that they would be delighted if I joined them.

Therefore one day we went to a travel agency in Pasadena, an agency specialized in trips to South America and with the assistance of the manager, a lady born in Argentina, planned an interesting package that included Yguazu, the place famous for the largest waterfalls in the world, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, etc..

The trip was a great success; one of the highlights of it was meeting, at the Sheraton Hotel in Santiago, several executives from various countries including Australia, China, Italy, England, Spain etc. At the hotel I was truly impressed when most of the delegates recognized Steve for having met him at previous conferences in Shanghais, Tokyo, London, or other capital cities where the conventions were held. And I was surprised when some of the delegates mentioned that Steve, at every convention spoke at the assembly meetings impressing the audience with his well defined plans and valid recommendations.

After all, I surmised, the purpose of the conferences was not only to strengthen the bonds among the various Abruzzesi in the world, but to provide financial assistance to the Abruzzesi living in under-developed countries. In fact during the last decade several schools have been built in foreign nations to provide the proper education to children of Italian emigrants through funds obtained mostly by the Abruzzo Region or by Abruzzesi clubs everywhere in the world.

Steve (Giulio) Inglese was born in Sulmona, Italy on December 25, 1933. Attended local schools where he completed two years of high schools. In 1949, at age 16, he emigrated to Caracas, Venezuela, to join his father who was working there, and soon after Steve secured a job in a machine shop in Caracas.
In 1953 Steve was shop supervisor, and working in tandem with his boss, was able to obtain a very important contract from the government agency responsible for modernizing the railroad system in Venezuela; his task was to build a special equipment that would manufacture the rail-road ties needed for the new reailroad system. Working closely with government officials, Steve was able to open an agency to help many Italian immigrants get a job.

From Venezuela, in 1955, Steve emigrated to the United States and in Los Angeles he was reunited with his two brothers Ennio and Bart.
Having a strong desire to improve his formal education, in February 1956 Steve enrolled in L.A. V alley College, but after only one year in college, he was drafted into the US Army (April 1957). Two years later he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant and was happy to return to L.A. V alley College. Here he graduated with an Associate in Arts degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business Data Processing.

In late 1959 he joined the I.C.F. Branch 67. When Fr. Luigi Donanzan became Pastor of St. Peter’s Church, Steve was President of the I.C.F. Branch 67. He was part of the Committee put together by Fr. Donanzan to raise funds for the construction of the CASA ITALIANA, next to St. Peter’s Church and a few years later of the VILLA SCALABRINI, the retirement home for Italian elderly. All together Steve has been president of the I.C.F. Branch #67 for 9 years and vice-president for 12 years.

In various capacities he has belonged to several organizations as Federated’ assistant vice president in charge of the Columbus Day celebration in 2002, Unico’ LA and San Gabriel chapters, Santa Lucia Society, as trustee, Club Italia, Abruzzesi & Molisani di California as trustee, co-founder and chairman of the Sister City Committee and US delegate to the Regional Council of Abruzzesi in the World.

In 1971 Steve was employed by the L.A. Department of Water & Power; the last 18 years in the position of Supervisor. In 1994, he was recognized by Water & Power Board for leading the Pioneers Quality Circles, a project designed to improve relations between management and employees. He retired from Water & Power in 1998.
In late 2000 Steve was elected US delegate to the Regional Council of Emigration and Immigration in Abruzzo, Italy, and in 2005 he was elected US delegate to the Regional Council of Abruzzesi in the World. In such a capacity, on behalf of the Region, he traveled to attend conferences in several nations in the world to improve the bonds with the Region and to provide financial help and health insurance to Italians in impoverished countries.

In 1999, on behalf of the Abruzzesi & Molisani di California, Steve was instrumental in establishing communications between the Mayor of San Juan Capistrano, CA and the Mayor of Capestrano, Abruzzo, to promote a Sister City bond between the two cities which became a reality and was officially celebrated in the Mission of San Juan Capistrano on October 23th, 2000 with the participation of the Italian Consul General of Los Angeles Massimo Roscigno and the deputy director of the I.I.C. (Istituto Italiano di Cultura) Rubens Piovano.

In October 2003, Steve was honored by the City of Capestrano, Abruzzo in recognition of his dedication to promote the Sister City project and was honored by the FAA-USA (Federation of Abruzzi Associations, USA) with the Golden Pin Award (Distintivo d’Oro) in recognition of the work done promoting the programs of the Abruzzesi & Molisani di California and for representing the Abruzzesi Associations in the USA in the Regional Council of Abruzzesi in the World.

The Community of California wish to extend to Mercede Inglese, to sons Robert and David and respective families sincere condolences and sympathy for the loss of our wonderful Steve. Also to Bart, Steve’s younger brother, and his family, our wishes and prayers.
May His Soul rest in peace.

Tony Ghezzo
contributor