Note from the editor: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly compilation of tales of Staten Islanders creating impact, gaining recognition, giving back to the community, and generally making our borough a unique place to call home. Do you have an Inside Out story? Carol Ann Benanti may be reached by email at [email protected].
Friends and performers Rita and Gerard Pirrone, third and fourth from left, Joe Rinaldo, center, sporting Frank Sinatara’s orange baseball jacket, Stefano Sena, Russ Martone, and Sal LoCascio are all celebrating Frank Sinatra’s 109th birthday. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
New York’s Staten Island. Among other charming nicknames and adorable nicknames, he was referred to as the Chairman of the Board, the Sultan of Swoon, and eventually Ol Blue Eyes.
An famous figure in the entertainment industry, Frank Sinatra was known for his unquestionable charm and vocal skill.
As the teen idol from Hoboken, New Jersey, he was frequently the cause of tremendous hysteria among yelling, devoted followers who followed him everywhere.
And when he performed with well-known large bands like the Tommy Dorsey and Harry James Orchestras, among others, couples loved swaying to his romantic songs.
One of the most significant artists of the 20th century, he was honored by the Kennedy Center, won the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and gained accolades for his wildly successful film and television careers.
SPECIAL IMPACT OF THE STATED ISLANDERS ON THE LEGENDARY CROONER
To demonstrate the veracity of the aforementioned, a group of males who are members of the Frank Sinatra Club and who adore the King of Crooners get together at Bocelli Ristorante on the first Thursday of each month to talk about their lives, their loves, and yes, Frank Sinatra.
They enjoy listening to his music so much that they even surround themselves with souvenirs of Frank Sinatra.
Ronnie Cutrone, Laurie, and Joe Rinaldo are clutching one of Frank Sinatra’s early recordings. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
The evening’s menu is planned by Stefano Sena, executive chef at the Grasmere restaurant, and Joe Rinaldo, who leads the entourage.
According to Rinaldo, his family only ever listened to Sinatra songs over the years. So, he added, tonight is really exceptional. It was a wonderful occasion to commemorate Sinatra’s 109th birthday.
The birthday of Frank Sinatra S.
Rinaldo decided it would be appropriate to celebrate Sinatra’s birthday on Thursday, December 12, by throwing a Frank Sinatra Night at Bocelli Ristorante, complete with all things Sinatra with tables decked up with old pictures and Frank Sinatra memorabilia.
The event included a birthday cake in celebration of Frank Sinatra’s 109th birthday. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
Born on December 12, 1915, Sinatra passed away on May 14, 1998.
The banquet room was filled with old pictures of Frank Sinatra. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
The banquet space was strewn with Frank Sinatra memorabilia. Carol Ann Benanti, “Staten Island Advance,” stated
In addition to honoring the legendary performer, the evening would provide an opportunity to socialize, interact, and dance the night away.
To Frank Sinatra’s song, couples dance. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
“Frank Sinatra Night” is a hit with revelers at Bocelli Ristorante. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
Rinaldo also carried a blazer that used to belong to Sinatra and even had his logo on it.
Joe Rinaldo, dressed in a Frank Sinatra jacket; entertainer Russ Martone; and entertainer Sal LoCascio. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
Speaking about Sinatra, Rinaldo, who owns several of his mementos, displayed a jacket that was given to him by Pat Sessa, a female friend of Sinatra’s.
When they were all living in Palm Springs, California, Patt and her husband, Smiley, lived nearby and were good friends of Sinatra.
She was sitting close to Frank Sinatra’s buddy Patt Sessa, second from right, during a social gathering in the middle of the 1970s. (Source: Staten Island Advance; courtesy of Pat Sessa)
When we spoke with Patt, she revealed that baseball’s Leo Durocher, a former player, manager, and coach who was good friends with Sinatra, gave her the orange Houston Astros jacket.
She revealed that after meeting the crooner in Jilly’s, the well-known piano bar lounge in Manhattan that Sinatra frequented, she and her husband became friends with Sinatra.
“I was friends with Frank in the mid-1970s,” she recalled. One night at Jilly’s in Manhattan, we became friends, and Frank Sinatra asked me to dance. When performing, Frank always wore an orange pocket handkerchief because he loved the color orange. At one point, he even bought me a car and taught me to sing. It was a lot of pleasure living in Palm Springs close to Frank. He was dating Barbara (Marx) at the time.
AMUSEMENT IN THE EVENING
Virtuoso pianist, vocalist and actor Alex Leonard provided musical entertainment on keyboard with tunes from the Great American Songbook made famous by Frank Sinatra.
Alex Leonard on keyboard is accompanied by Stefano Sena on trumpet. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
Sena on trumpet played well-known tunes to accompany Leonard.
In speaking of Sinatra, Leonard noted: The 20th century ended on New Year s Eve in December 1999. It could be said however that in spirit the century actually ended earlier in 1998, the day that Frank Sinatra passed. Sinatra characterized the 20th century as a performer and individual. We can certainly point to other great singers of that time period yet most all of them would agree that it was Sinatra who stood out as THE interpreter of American popular music, an artist top of the heap among his peers. Sinatra is an enigma, a series of contradictions, a musical genius found not only in his recordings but in his ability to conduct and interact with the musicians in the orchestra, all seasoned professionals who held him in highest esteem. This evening we visit the music of the crooner of the 40 s, the smooth balladeer of the 50 s, the Las Vegas swinger of the 60 s and the reflective artist of the 70 s and 80 s…
“Frank Sinatra Night” is enjoyed by patrons at Bocelli Ristorante. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
Entertainer, Sal LoCascio, Joe Rinaldo, wearing Frank Sinatra’s jacket, Laurie Rinaldo, entertainer, Russ Martone and Stefano Sena, executive chef at Bocelli Ristorante (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Advance of Staten Island
Sitting from the left, Rosann McAllister, Colette Curry and Lorraine Pillarella. Standing, Joe McAllister, Dean Curry and Louis Pillarella. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
Also on the entertainment roster was Sal LoCascio, a song stylist who performs standard favorites made famous not only by Sinatra, but by Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Tom Jones and other greats in the world of entertainment also performed to perfection.
Sal LoCascio performs for the crowd. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
Maria Bilotti, Rita Pirrone, Joanne Cook and Marisa Calabrese Shelley. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
Franco and Lissa, part of thei wait staff in Bocelli, and entertainers, Sal LoCascio and Russ Martone. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
Russ Martone performs for the crowd. (Carol Ann Benanti/Staten Island Advance)Advance of Staten Island
And Russ Martone, a Sinatra tribute artist who also performs some of the great standards by Dean Martin, Paul Anka, Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley and Michael Buble to name a few, also dazzled the crowd when he took center stage during the exceptional evening.
CELEBRATIONS – DEC. 22 TO DEC. 28
DEC. 22
Happy birthday Sunday to Augie Martiniello, Kevin Collins, Rogan Patrick McSwiggan who turns 15, Inez Goins, Vanessa Kraker, who turns 22, Denise Tyson, Margaret Nemeth and twins Ian and Jenna McDaniel.
A double celebration for twins Christopher and Stephanie Castaldo will take place on Sunday.
DEC. 23
Monday is birthday time for Julie Ierardi, Dan McGarry, Christopher Norton, Judy Cardona, Christina Salerno, Lillian Kuell and Michael Noto.
DEC. 24
Happy Christmas Eve birthday to Ava Christina Guarcello who turns 18, Michael D Aquila, Christine Haber, Debra Schwall, Erica Kobayashi, Andrea Loughery, Jimmy Parisi Jr. and Samantha Doyle.
DEC. 25
Happy Christmas Day birthday to Ina Vazquez, Lauren McIsaac O Hare, John Allocco, Petra Andersen and Susan Jellicks.
DEC. 26
Birthday greetings on Thursday to Michael Tambini, Jack Madonia, Marie Stockman, Victoria Masucci and Eddie Carbonaro.
DEC. 27
Happy birthday Friday to attorney, Chris Caputo, Tony Whalen, Robert Werneken, twins Daniel and James Loughery, Lisa Bernstein, Jen McGarry, Dale Greenwaldt, Nicholas Klein, Erik Lorentzen who turns 52, Emma Jane Carr, Lou Parisi Jr., and Melissa Anelli.
Happy wedding anniversary Friday to Christina and Richard Verardi.
DEC. 28
Birthday best on Saturday to Andy Andersen, Noelle Sarno, Kevin Patrick Tobuck and twins Marie Cataldo and Elizabeth McDermott.
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