Wall of Recognition

Connie Francis was born on December 12, in the city of Newark, NJ. At the age of four, Connie made her debut at Olympic Park in Irvington, NJ. She sang "Anchors Away" and played the accordion to the delight of her first time audience. Her father continued to take her to radio and television auditions so she would gain the confidence, experience and love of performing in front of a live audience. When Connie was only 11 years old she had become a regular on the local TV show, "Marie Moser's Starlets." She followed that with successful appearances on the "Ted Mack Amateur Hour" and "The Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout Show." She again had become a regular on the popular "Startime" TV show which featured talented child performers.

In her teen years, Connie and her family moved to Belleville. During these years she impressed many music publishers and made a number of demo recordings which proved unsuccessful. Finally, at her father’s request, Connie reluctantly recorded a ballad first published in 1923 titled "Who's Sorry Now." Connie's new record became a super hit and her career soared to new heights. Her dream of performing on Dick Clark's American Bandstand would now become a reality. That year Connie was voted "The Best Female Vocalist" by American Bandstand write-in viewers, and she held that title for five consecutive years. She went on to record , Everybody’s Somebody's Fool, My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own, Don't Break the Heart That Loves You, Stupid Cupid, and many more. Her career also included staring in 4 movies; Where the Boys Are, Follow the Boys, Looking for Love, and When the Boys Meet the Girls.

Connie went on to world-wide fame selling over 60 million records by the mid 1960’s. Connie Francis has known a life full of great love and success, as well as deep sorrow and tragedy. Through the difficult times she has prevailed showing her great strength , determination, and courage. As a result, she became a leader in supporting the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights in 1982. She has also been a tireless leader in charitable activities here and abroad supporting organizations such as Overseas Combined Charities and UNICEF. One of Connie's favorite memories was performing for the troops during the Vietnam War, who continue to be huge fans.

The township of Belleville would now like to show our great pride, appreciation and love of Connie Francis as it offers a full weekend of tributes to Belleville’s Favorite Daughter.

Mr. Cuzzi is a native of Belleville, and a 1973 graduate of Belleville High School. While at Belleville High School, he played baseball and football. Mr. Cuzzi is presently employed as a Major League Baseball umpire. His long and winding road to the major leagues began in 1982 when he attended umpiring school. Following umpiring school he began his professional career in the minor leagues working in the New York-Penn League, Carolina League, South Atlantic League, Southern League, Triple-A Alliance, International League, American Association, Florida State League and the Eastern League.

In 1999 he joined the Major Leagues. Most notably he worked the 2003-04 National League Division Series and the 2005 National League Championship Series. He was also the home plate umpire for Bud Smith's no-hitter on September 3, 2001.

Outside of his professional responsibilities Mr. Cuzzi participates in community work as a member of the Italian Fiorenti Club and is involved with the ALS Association, which is working toward a cure for Lou Gerhig’s disease. He started the Robert Luongo ALS Fund in 2003, raising funds for Mr. Luongo's daughter's education as well as the ALS Association. He is a deeply religious man with a strong commitment to family. He and his wife Gilda reside in New Jersey. If there is ever someone who worked his way through the ranks, it's Phil Cuzzi. He could have quit on numerous occasions but he hung in there and achieved his dream. Phil Cuzzi’s can do attitude impressive philanthropic efforts and, commitment to his family, friends and community qualify him for this honor.

Dr. Edward Aulisi has achieved remarkable success in his chosen field of Neuro-Surgery, and is a recognized specialist in pituitary tumors and skull-based tumors; and, Dr.Aulisi is currently the Chief Resident for Neuro Surgery, and a Neurological Surgeon at George Washington Hospital-Center; and, Dr. Aulisi’s longstanding commitment and service to our community has been recognized by many awards, including his selection as the Outstanding Neuro Surgeon in the Washington, D.C., North Virginia and Maryland area by Washington Magazine.

Dr. Felice Salerno has achieved remarkable success in his chosen field of Vascular Surgery, and has worked at such prestigious institutions in Texas at Baylor University Medical Center, Temple Veterans Administration Center, and the Mountainside Hospital and Hunterdon Medical Center; and Dr. Salerno has held such distinguished positions as Staff General and Vascular Surgeon, Chief of General Surgery and Director of Residency Training, Chairman of the Department of Surgery, President of the Specialty Staff among many others, and has published numerous papers on surgery and medicine in a variety of medical journals; and, Dr. Salerno’s Academic appointments include Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey; and Dr. Salerno’s longstanding commitment and service to our community has been recognized with many awards, including his selection as One of the Top Surgeons in New Jersey by New Jersey Monthly Magazine.

Tommy Devito grew up in Belleville and attended School Number Four. He was the founder and original member of the Four Seasons, one of the premier rock n’ roll groups of the 1960’s’. Other members included Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, and Nick Massi. He performed with the group until 1970. One of the band’s first successes was the #1 hit :Sherry” in 1962 followed by “Big Girls Don’t Cry”. The band sold over 10,000,000 records worldwide during their hit making streak spanning the years 1962-68, making them one of the most successful rock n’ roll groups in history. The Four Seasons were inducted into inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and most recently, were characterized in the 2006 Tony Award winning Broadway Musical, The Jersey Boys. A permanent display commemorating Mr. Devito’s accomplishments will be posted on the Belleville Public Schools Wall of Recognition at Belleville High School.

Dr. Arthur F. Fost started the first Allergy Training Program in New Jersey, continues to be active in research and testing, and has published papers in the Medical Journals on Asthma and Allergies, and, Dr. Fost has bee repeatedly cited in New York Magazine as; “Best Doctors in the New York City Area” for his work in Allergy; and, Dr. Fost has spent a lifetime of volunteer ism to help the less fortunate in countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, Guatamala, El Salvador and the Middle East; and, Dr. Fost’s longstanding commitment and service to our community has been recognized with many awards, including a State of New Jersey Joint Legislative Resolution, and The New Jersey Leadership Volunteer Award.

Dr. James M. Orsini developed the first cancer unit at the Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, developed the first dedicated oncology unit at the same center, continues to be active in the treatment and care of cancer patients, and has published numerous papers on cancer in a variety of medical journals; and, Dr. Orsini has made numerous contributions in the field of oncology, is the owner/president of the Essex Hematology Oncology Group of North Jersey, P.A.. and staff physician at Clara Maass Medical Center, Columbus Hospital, Mountainside Hospital and St. Barnabas Medical Center; and, Dr. Orsini’s longstanding commitment and service to our community has been recognized with many awards, including Man of the Year-UNICO Association, Man of the Year Award-Boy Scouts of America, Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, New Jersey Hospice Healthcare Provider of the Year and with a Physician of the Year US Post Office Beast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Stamp.

Warren Kimble has become one of America’s best-loved contemporary folk artists who has combined his love of Americana, antiques and collectibles, architecture, and painting to create an accessible, universally appealing new style of American Folk Art; and, The popularity of Warren Kimble’s contemporary fold art images has helped position himself as one of the country’s most successful home furnishing designers, with more than 45 licensing partners that generate more than $100 million in yearly retail sales; and, Warren Kimble’s outstanding original paintings, which include both fine art and fold art works, have been the subject of one-person gallery shows in New York, Boston, and Syracuse, as well as in towns throughout Vermont; and Warren Kimble’s honors and awards include Syracuse University’s 2002 George Arents Pioneer Medal , the university’s highest alumni honor, and honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, the selection of his work for “The Original Art 2001” by the Society of Illustrators Museum in New York, and the recognition of his work for excellence by numerous marketing and trade organizations.

Dr. Michael G. Ippolito has served with distinction as Executor Director of the Philmore Associates since 1983 providing administration, policy and planning as well as the clinical treatment of anxiety and stress disorders for our community; and, Dr. Ippolito’s dedication to the community is evidenced in the many venues in which he has voluntarily provided his time and expertise, including his service as a consultant to the Belleville Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, the co-production of an anti-auto theft film for presentation of elementary school aged inner city children, and the development of a training program for coaches, officials and parents involved in recreational sports in the community; and, Dr. Ippolito’s longstanding commitment and service to our community has been recognized with many awards, including the prestigious United States Congressional Achievement Award, and the nomination for the National Labor Committee’s Lewis Hines Award for outstanding professional work with children and families.

Dr. Lori R. Ippolito has served with distinction as Clinical Director of the Philmore Associates since 1983 specializing in the clinical treatment of anxiety and stress disorders for our community; and, Dr. Ippolito’s dedication to the community is evidenced in the many venues in which she has voluntarily provided her time and expertise, including her service as a professional advisor to the Belleville Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, the co-production of an anti-auto theft film for presentation to elementary school aged inner city children; and, Dr. Ippolito’s longstanding commitment and service to our community has been recognized with many awards, including the prestigious United States Congressional Achievement Award, the Women of Achievement Award by the new Jersey General Assembly and the nomination for the National Labor Committee’s Lewis Hines Award for outstanding professional work with children and families.

Honorable Leonard D. Ronco entered the United States Navy during World War II, serving as a Turret Gunner aboard the USS Quincy, a heavy cruiser deployed in both the European and Pacific theaters; and Judge Ronco later served in private and public practice as an attorney in the positions of Referee of the Juvenile Conference Committee of Belleville, State Assemblyman from Essex County, Secretary to the Essex County Superintendent of Elections, Associate Counsel of the Essex County Welfare Board, Assistant Essex County Prosecutor, the first State Deputy Public Defender in charge of the Essex County Region, Chief Trial Attorney for the Prosecutor’s Office, Acting Essex County Prosecutor, and as a Superior Court Judge; and, Judge Ronco served as the Director of the State Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and the Director of the Governor’s Office of Casino Policy, both appointments made by New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne; and, Judge Ronco holds the distinction of having served in all three branches of the state government in New Jersey a legislator, executive and jurist.

Dr.Norman C. Fost has achieved remarkable success in his chosen field of Pediatric Medicine, and has worked at such prestigious institutions as Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital where he has served as Professor of Pediatrics, Director of the Program in Medical Ethics, head of the Child Protection team and as a general pediatrician; and, Dr. Fost has held such distinguished positions as consultant to the United States Food and Drug Administration, numerous federal committees and commissions, including President Clinton’s Health Care Task Force, been a frequent guest on national television shows including Nightline, Frontline, Crossfire, Donahue and Oprah, and has published over 100 papers on medicine and ethics in a variety of medical journals; and, Dr. Frost’s many professional appointments include the Princeton University Board of Trustees in New Jersey, and Chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics; and, Dr. Fost’s longstanding commitment and service to the community has been recognized with may awards, including the Nelle Westermann Prize for Research Ethics.