New fundraiser event honors Anthony Ribustello
From left, Anthony Ribustello’s nephew Michael Ribustello,
mother Mary Ann Capelli and widow Rena Ribustello pose
for a photo.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, N BTR OV. 26-DEC. 2,2021 33
Legion luncheon
honors veterans
The American Legion Auxiliary of
the Throggs Neck Memorial Post 1456
hosted a luncheon on Nov. 11 to honor
veterans. Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Chairwoman Peggy Dunn
and her team organized the luncheon
and Annmarie Marinom, of Villa Maria
Academy, provided gifts and desserts
for the veterans.
Robert Dunn (center) holds his honorary air assault badge certifi cate with Mackensie (left)
and Kylie Dunn.
Mary F. Clancy Charities held its
fi rst Anthony J. Ribustello Cocktail Reception
and Auction at the Marina Del
Rey on Nov. 8, which is set to become an
annual event. Ribustello, who died on
Dec. 28, 2019, at the age of 53, lived in the
Country Club section of the Bronx. Besides
portraying Dante Greco — Tony
Soprano’s driver — on the renowned
HBO series The Sopranos, he ran for
borough president in 2009, served on
Community Board 10, was a Republican
Party district leader, county committeeman
and former deputy chief of
the Bronx Board of Elections.
His mother, Mary Ann Capelli,
said at the event she was grateful her
son made so many friends. His widow,
Rena Ribustello, was grateful for the
support and camaraderie from attendees.
Vinny Pastore, who played Salvatore
Bonpensiero on the Sopranos,
said he met Ribustello in 1988 in New
Rochelle. The friends both auditioned
for A Bronx Tale and were in movies
together, Pastore said. Pastore entertained
attendees, along with Louise
“LuLu” Delucia, Gene Dinapoli, known
as “Mr. Entertainment”, Tara Cannistraci,
Lou Martini Jr., Fran Sisco and
others.
-Bronx Times
Entertainer Gene Dinapoli dances with Mary Ann Capelli, An- Gene Dinapoli and Vinny Pastore at the event.
thony Ribustello’s mother. Photos Jewel Webber
From left, Joe Faix, Ron Watson, Phil Cremins and Commander Bobby Oviedo stand in front
of the nearly 75 attendees. Photos Courtesy MaryKay Champlin