Italian Fest announces Man and Woman of the Year

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SINISTRO

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DeCHELLIS

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest 2016 will introduce the winners of its Man and Woman of the Year awards at the Fest ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday inside the Roma tent on the west side of the event in downtown Youngstown.

Man of the Year is Ralph Sinistro. He was born Jan. 2, 1932, in Youngstown and is the only son of Michael and Genevieve Pilla Sinistro. He has three sisters, Philomena, Dolores and JoAnne. His mother passed away at a young age, and he worked to help provide for the family.

Sinistro served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War and flew more than 37 missions. When he returned from the war, he worked as a bricklayer with his father and married Pearl Berezo in 1954. After the birth of his son Ralph Jr., Sinistro decided to pursue a career in the beauty business and became a hairstylist in 1956.

In 1958 he opened Ralph’s Beauty Salon on Southern Boulevard, Boardman. He became a platform artist for Revlon while raising his son and four daughters, Candice, Celeste, Melina and Melissa. Sinistro also is an oil painter. He has seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Woman of the Year, Arlene DeChellis, was born on Aug. 22, 1939, in Youngstown. She is the only daughter of Paul and Eda Leopardi Pasquale. DeChellis graduated from Struthers High School as valedictorian of her class and married Attilio DeChellis on Sept. 6, 1958.

DeChellis worked for Municipal Court Judge Joseph Donofrio, and was an administrative assistant and secretary to Judge Leo P. Morley for 31 years.

She was involved in several successful political campaigns and led many fundraisers.

DeChellis served as president and other offices in the Pacentrano Women’s Auxiliary for more than 50 years and also was president of St. Anthony Women’s Auxiliary. Other positions during her lifetime include vice president of Public Employees Retirement Inc., secretary of Sulmona Valley Club, trustee of Walnut Grove Condo Association, committee member of the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest and trustee of the Italian Heritage Foundation of Youngstown, Inc. DeChellis also is a member of a Bunco Club and the Struthers High School Class of 1957 Lunch Bunch.

The Fest takes place annually in downtown Youngstown and is hosted by the Italian Heritage Foundation of Youngstown, Inc.

Raffles will include a grand prize of $1,000; a $300 Rulli Bros. gift card for second prize; and a $200 Get-Go Giant Eagle gift card for third prize. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5. Hours of the Fest are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.