History
The 24thof May Lodge #2 derives its origin from as
early as WWI. This assembly was
founded by a group of Italian immigrants and those already in America that were
a part of the Order of Sons of Italy.
The original members wanted to adopt this name in honor of the day the
Kingdom of Italy declared war with Austria in
1914.
In 1929, the original members: Giuseppe Bancale, Herman Carletti,
Antonio Castriota, Muzio Frediani, Dr. Gaetano LaRosa, and Raffaele Ludovici
made a decision to be one of the first groups to join a new Order of the Italian
Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA).
On May 17, 1929, the 24th of May Lodge #2 was officially
initiated in to the Pittsburgh Chapter of the
ISDA.
Membership remained at 30-50 members each year until 1947 when
the lodge membership grew to almost 380 members. With membership growing, President Sal
Marrone procured a charter for a club, and on May 26, 1947, the formal club was
opened. The lodge prospered through many years, electing its first female President in 1958, Ernestina Martin. Unfortunately, on April 10, 1977, Easter Morning, the lodge building was destroyed in a fire.
After many moves and adjustments, the lodge has continued to prosper into the 2000's. While the lodge no longer has an official site, the group has continued to meet at places throughout the area to keep our mission strong. In 2009, the lodge created a Scholarship Fund for lodge members. We also have a newsletter mailed out throughout the year to a current listing of over 380 members. While the 24th of May Lodge #2 has seen many changes throughout our history, we continue to grow and show appreciation for our Italian American heritage!
Presidents:
early as WWI. This assembly was
founded by a group of Italian immigrants and those already in America that were
a part of the Order of Sons of Italy.
The original members wanted to adopt this name in honor of the day the
Kingdom of Italy declared war with Austria in
1914.
In 1929, the original members: Giuseppe Bancale, Herman Carletti,
Antonio Castriota, Muzio Frediani, Dr. Gaetano LaRosa, and Raffaele Ludovici
made a decision to be one of the first groups to join a new Order of the Italian
Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA).
On May 17, 1929, the 24th of May Lodge #2 was officially
initiated in to the Pittsburgh Chapter of the
ISDA.
Membership remained at 30-50 members each year until 1947 when
the lodge membership grew to almost 380 members. With membership growing, President Sal
Marrone procured a charter for a club, and on May 26, 1947, the formal club was
opened. The lodge prospered through many years, electing its first female President in 1958, Ernestina Martin. Unfortunately, on April 10, 1977, Easter Morning, the lodge building was destroyed in a fire.
After many moves and adjustments, the lodge has continued to prosper into the 2000's. While the lodge no longer has an official site, the group has continued to meet at places throughout the area to keep our mission strong. In 2009, the lodge created a Scholarship Fund for lodge members. We also have a newsletter mailed out throughout the year to a current listing of over 380 members. While the 24th of May Lodge #2 has seen many changes throughout our history, we continue to grow and show appreciation for our Italian American heritage!
Presidents:
- Herman Carletti 1929-1941
- Anthony DeLaura 1942-1943
- Frank Martin 1944-1947
- Sal Marrone 1947-1949
- James Bigante 1949-1950
- Ralph Bucci 1951-1952
- Bresci Leonard 1952-1955
- Vincent Rea 1956-1957
- Ernestina Martin 1958-1959 (1st Female President)
- Peter Argentina 1960-1961
- Vincent Rea 1961-1962
- Edwin Martin 1962-1963
- Joseph Flora 1964-1965
- Francis Sabino 1966-1967
- Joseph Flora 1968-1974
- Leo Passante 1975-1976
- Michael Scarnate 1977-1980
- Salvatore Sirabella 1980-1985
- Andrew Caputo 1986-1987
- Walter Spade 1987-1988
- Joseph C. Campbell 1989-1990
- Virginia Tacchino 1991-2001
- Robert Pasquantonio 2001-2005
- Nicholas Fera 2005-2013
- Toni Grygo 2013-2017
- Madeline Orfitelli 2017-present