NEWS

Italian Cultural Foundation honors duo for their community service

Deborah M. Marko
@dmarko_dj

VINELAND - For two people known for their commitment to community service, it took an Italian Cultural Foundation of South Jersey honor to bring Antoinette (Riccobene) Finizio and David Schad together.

They will accept their Spirit of Achievement Awards during the foundation’s 29th Annual Gala Ball Saturday at the Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course.

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Where Finizio is 100-percent Italian, Schad noted he is three-quarters due to his German paternal grandfather.

“I don’t know if they’ve relaxed the rules or not,” he joked.

During a recent talk with The Daily Journal, the honorees discovered how their paths to the podium mirror each other.

They shared personal histories of family members who fearlessly left Italy in pursuit of their American dream. Initially settling in Brooklyn, their families came to the Vineland area to put down roots and open up businesses.

Sunday afternoons were devoted to family dinners, they said.

Hard work was expected and education respected.

Growing up behind the counter of her family’s bakery, La Conca D’Oro, Finizio earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stockton University and is now the practice administrator at Premiere Orthopaedic Associates of Southern New Jersey.

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Schad graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After earning his CPA license, he joined the Schad and Schad accounting firm, named for his father, Louis F. Schad and his uncle, Francis X. Schad.

But his first role model?

“My mom,” he said.

Mary Schad was active in local organizations, including serving on the board of Sicilian American Club, a predecessor of the organization that now honors her son.

Finizio also cited the influence of her mother, Enza Riccobene, in shaping the course of her life.

“My mom being a very progressive woman for her time, at 25, she left Italy and came to America by herself,” she said.

“She then proceeded to live here by herself for five years and worked in a factory,” Finizio said. “She made enough money to buy boat tickets for her five siblings and her parents to come to America.”

Finizio was 17 when her mother died.

“I felt that everything she needed to give me, she gave me,” she said, including making her promise to get an education.

In his family, Schad said, it was his grandfather who made the trans-Atlantic voyage about four times to bring his family to America.

“It was a lot of effort to make that happen,” he said.

The magnitude of those sacrifices is something new generations are often unaware, Finizio said.

“It’s almost become my mission to do more to be a role model and set a good example for these kids,” she said. “Any opportunity I get, I’m reeling them in.”

The challenges their families faced to start new lives offer a valuable lesson beyond the classroom.

“Until you feel what it feels like to work hard and see the reward that comes from that, you don’t truly understand what our family went through when they made the journey here,” Finizio said.

Her mother always carried a packet of Trident in her bag. Finizio asked her mom about it.

“There were days when I wished that I had a piece of gum but that 10 cents that I needed to spend was 10 cents that I wanted to save so I could see my mother,” her mother told her.

“These are things, when you are 8 or 9 years old, it makes such an impression,” she said.

Schad learned the importance of compassion from his uncle, Bishop James Schad, who served as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Camden for almost three decades.

“He was our family role model,” Schad said, recalling how his uncle launched a soup kitchen in Camden, which is now a large-scale program.

“He was always interested in helping the poor,” Schad said. “He was a person of importance in the church but he was very humble.”

That’s a lesson Schad said he took to heart. When he sees those in need, he wants to help.

“Two generations ago, that was us,” he said, referring to his family. “They did a lot themselves but got some help along the way.”

Schad, a Mullica Hill resident, recently celebrated a 31st wedding anniversary with his wife, Cheryl. They have a daughter, Rebecca Schad.

Both Finizio and Schad plan to use their time in the spotlight Saturday to issue a call to action to others.

“Wouldn’t it be amazing if every Italian-American took another child under their wing and gave them confidence and the ability to think that they can really accomplish anything,” she said.

Schad agreed. After 30 years of community service, he has taken on a new role as mentor and encourages others to do the same.

“Just be that person that they feel they can go to and talk about any situation, whether it’s life, finance, education or vocation,” he said. “With age comes some wisdom.”

Schad, 57, recalled that someone was there to help him. His mentor was Lou Tramontana Sr.

“Louie was just a great guy, he was president a year before me in Rotary; he took me by the hand and guided me through,” he said, adding it was Tramontana who brought him onto the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA board of directors. “He was a true professional mentor when it came to community service work.”

Schad continues that legacy by his actions.

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“Money makes things happen, but sometimes it’s almost more important to have people give you time," Schad said. “It’s sharing your gifts whatever they are, everyone has talent for something.”

Among her projects, Finizio organized a network of volunteers to help grow a community outreach Christmas program that started as a partnership with Haleyville Elementary School in Port Norris.

“I’m blessed to know a lot of great people who when I call they come and support me,” said the Vineland resident. “I feel that this is part of my mission in life to be able to gather people for greater causes and to somehow leave an impact.”

The work has Finizio, 49, eager to embark on on “an actual mission where I get to roll up my sleeves.”

“I want to take it to next level,” she said, hopeful her husband, John, and their sons, Gianni, 17, and Giuliano, 13, would join her.

Schad recommended she do so because it is a life-altering experience.

Through the Rotary Club, he went to assist those devastated by Hurricane Katrina. He also made three mission trips to Honduras through his church, The Presbyterian Church of Woodbury.

“We all go that first time thinking it’s going to be about the work – painting there, building there,” Schad said. “It’s not about that, it’s about making a connection with people – someone knows you’ve traveled a 1,000 miles to help them.”

The honorees said they are pleased to celebrate the honor with their families and friends.

“I don’t feel worthy but I feel like if it in some way validates my mother coming here at 25 and making this happen... I accept it on behalf of my family," Finizio said, thankful for her sacrifice.

Deborah M. Marko; (856) 563-5256; dmarko@gannettnj.com