The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders held its 2018 Italian Heritage Month Celebration on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at the Hall of Records to commemorate Italian culture and heritage. Freeholder President Brendan W. Gill began the program with welcoming remarks, embracing the vast diversity that exists in Essex County. Freeholder Leonard Luciano of District 4 led the program, celebrating each of the Board’s honorees, including: Joseph C. Parlavecchio of Newark, Samuel A. DeMaio of Bloomfield, Susan R. LaMorte of Belleville, and Annette Romano of Millburn.

Joseph C. Parlavecchio was born and raised in the Ironbound Section of Newark, New Jersey. He is a graduate of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School and Newark East Side High School. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from New Jersey City University, Kean University, and Seton Hall University, and he has earned Ph.D. equivalency status with the Newark Board of Education.