On Oct 9th 2022, Joe Ragucci was honored with “Italian American Man of the Year” at a ceremony at Woodbridge Town Hall sponsored by State Senator Joe Vitale and Colonia Knights of Columbus at their annual Columbus Day celebration.

My Italian American Story:

Being an Italian American has been an important part of my entire life.  Both of my grandparents immigrated to America from Italy, my maternal grandparents from the mountains north of Naples settling in Carteret, and my paternal grandparents from Monte Sant Angelo in the Gargano mountains along the Adriatic Sea settling in Port Reading. Growing up in Port Reading most of the people around me were of Italian descent.  I was blessed to meet and marry the love of my life, Rose whose family was also Italian Americans.

From my family, my wife’s family, and the people around me I learned what it meant to be Italian, from the food, the customs and the connection to the Catholic Church.  That Italian culture has been the driving force throughout my life.  It’s focus has been on service which led me to become a deacon. My wife and I have taken many tours of Italy from Sicily to Naples, Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice and the area around Lake Como.  Our first tour was as chaperones for a St. John Vianney Youth Group tour of Italy. Our most memorable tour was a St. Padre Pio pilgrimage with my father, uncle and aunt that visited Monte Sant Angelo, where my grandparents were born.  I had the honor of assisting at Mass in the cave church where St. Michael appeared and where my grandmother ran around in as a child.  That was an experience that made my Italian heritage come alive in a profound way and we even got to meet a relative who still lived there