for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com july 17, 2014 • development • The Queens Courier 5 development was presented with an honorary citizenship to thank him for his years of philanthropy to the Italian community. In a ceremony presided over by Salento Mayor Gabriele De Marco, Mattone became the first Italian American to ever receive the accolade of “honorary citizen.” “Mrs. Mattone and I were absolutely flabbergasted,” Mattone says. “The local residents arranged all of this as a surprise.” The ceremony was traditionally Italian. Following the ceremony, several hundred Salento residents turned out for a reception at the City Hall, where Mattone expressed his gratitude and thanked attendees for their kindness and warm reception. Mattone explains that the kindness with which he and his wife were treated in Salento is particularly significant due to the difficulty he has had tracing his roots on his father’s side of the family. “I haven’t been able to trace that side of my family as far back as I would have liked,” he explains. “We believe my father’s family may have come from the town of Padula.” So when residents from Padula made the trip to Salento for his ceremony, Mattone was particularly touched. “The town of Padula will even be constructing a monument dedicated to my wife and me in honor of our recognition,” Mattone says. Mattone attributes much of his own success to the sacrifices that his Italian predecessors made. When Mattone’s grandparents arrived in New York from Italy after the American Civil War in 1875, it was with the hope of a better life for their children and generations of their family to come. After their passing in Little Italy, Mattone’s father was forced into adulthood at a young age, and therefore developed a strong work ethic that was passed down to his children. It was this work ethic, coupled with a dedication to education, that provided the foundation for Mattone’s successful 58-year career. Today, Mattone sits as chairman and chief executive office of the Mattone Group, a Queens-based development and construction company that handles commercial, residential and industrial properties. Under Mattone’s guidance, the group manages its property portfolio with professionalism, financial expertise, and a dedication to providing clients with the very best service in the industry. When he reflects on his career path, Mattone says he always remembers the struggles of the relatives who made it possible for him to have a prosperous life in the United States. “So when I travel to their native land, those moments of being treated so well are very special to me.” Donato, Roseanna & Marcello D’Aiuto with Mary Ann Mattone. Mayor of Salento Gabriele De Marco presenting an award to Cav. Joseph M. Mattone as Mary Ann Mattone, Loreto D’Aiuto and Katherine Elisabeth Byers look on. Loreto D’Aiuto & Joesph Mattone.
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