Three Italians honored

The Justinian Foundation honored three Philadelphians of Italian heritage Thursday at the Union League.

Nicholas DeBenedictis, G. Fred DiBona Jr. and Charles P. Pizzi were saluted by more than 340 supporters, mostly lawyers.

The foundation is the fund-raising arm of the Justinian Society, founded in Philadelphia in 1935 by 47 lawyers of Italian ancestry. One of the society's goals is to promote the study of law. More than $80,000 was raised for scholarships.

Denise Gentile is the society's chancellor, and Barbara Capozzi is foundation president. Both made introductory remarks, with Capozzi introducing Paul Tufano, a past Justinian honoree who spoke about this year's award winners.

"These are three who have built up the Chamber of Commerce to what it is," Tufano said. DiBona took over as chamber president and chief executive officer in 1983, followed by DeBenedictis in 1986. Pizzi, who will be joining Tasty Baking Co. as president and chief executive officer next month, has been leading the chamber since 1989.

DeBenedictis is chairman and chief executive officer of Philadelphia Suburban Co.

Tufano said the chamber "has had a huge impact on the vitality of the region," which in turn has benefited Philadelphians by bringing in billions of dollars.

Vito Canuso, who attended with his wife, Sara, worked on the lunch. Among those also attending were Pizzi's wife, Elise; Bob Judge; Nicholas Nastasi; Jim Melinson; Esther Sylvester; Carol and James Fitzgerald; Myrna Field; William O'Brien; Philadelphia City Council President Anna Verna, and State Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro.

At each table was a basket of Tastykakes. Tufano joked that Independence Blue Cross, for which Tufano is general counsel and DiBona is president and chief executive officer, would pick up the liposuction tab for guests indulging in the baked goods.