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| ==Personal life and death== | ==Personal life and death== | ||
| Ceritano met Frances Cini, the sister of singer ], while on a ] in 1951, and the two married the following year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post/161479251/|newspaper=]|via=]|date=April 12, 1979|page=25, |title=The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams|author=Micko, Lillian}} {{Open access}}</ref> | Ceritano met Frances Cini, the sister of singer ], while on a ] in 1951, and the two married the following year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post/161479251/|newspaper=]|via=]|date=April 12, 1979|page=25, |title=The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams|author=Micko, Lillian}} {{Open access}}</ref> | ||
| ---- | |||
| ] "Moment of Joy" 1977<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/161484788/|newspaper=]|via=]|date=April 26, 1977|page=35|title=TV Listings}} {{Open access}}</ref> | |||
| <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/161455716/|newspaper=]|via=]|date=July 24, 1977|page=1, |title=The wine man tries to charm the wolves|author=Knox, Andrea}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post/161455789/|newspaper=]|via=]|date=October 1, 1990|page=11|title=Ceritano's life recalled with a 'moment of joy'|author=Gutwein-Guenther, Alan}} {{Open access}}</ref> | <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/161455716/|newspaper=]|via=]|date=July 24, 1977|page=1, |title=The wine man tries to charm the wolves|author=Knox, Andrea}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post/161455789/|newspaper=]|via=]|date=October 1, 1990|page=11|title=Ceritano's life recalled with a 'moment of joy'|author=Gutwein-Guenther, Alan}} {{Open access}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 18:56, 24 December 2024
| Armand Ceritano | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1931-05-04)May 4, 1931 Castel Castagna, Abruzzi, Italy |
| Died | May 2, 1990(1990-05-02) (aged 58) Gloucester County, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holy Cross Cemetery (Yeadon, Pennsylvania) |
| Nationality | Italian-born American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1960s–1970s |
| Known for | Ceritano Wines |
| Spouse | Frances (m. 1952) |
| Children | 4 |
Armando Ceritano (May 4, 1931 – May 2, 1990) was an Italian-born American businessman. Born in Italy, he moved to the U.S. at age 17 and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he began working in construction. He eventually started his own bricklaying business and in the 1970s, he entered the wine business. He became known for his Ceritano Wines advertisements which were frequently featured on television in the Philadelphia-area. In 1976, he became the owner of the Philadelphia Hilton Inn; however, within a few years, he had to declare for bankruptcy and lost the hotel and his business.
Early life
Ceritano was born on May 4, 1931, in Castel Castagna, in the Abruzzi region of Italy. He was the youngest of four brothers and spent his early years as a shepherd. Ceritano's father worked as a stonemason. The Courier-Post noted that in Italy, "is shelter was a crude hut. His food was basic bread and wine. His entertainment was a homemade whistle." In 1948, when he was 17, he immigrated to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he arrived with no money and "came wearing a suit purchased with 30 days of harvesting wheat and 20 pounds of beans, and a cardboard suitcase that had cost 10 days of harvesting wheat." Only having a fifth-grade education, he was unable to speak English at the time and later said that "My only capital in Italy was a goat."
Following his arrival, Ceritano decided to become a tailor, after "seeing many fields, but no sheep." He said that he found someone to work with, "but do you know, he wanted to charge me for the electricity! I told him I learn for four days and then I work another four days to pay him."
Career
Early career
Ceritano became a full-time tailor and while working, saved up enough money and bought a dry goods store. Soon after, he began working in construction, being a part-time employee for a contractor. He eventually started his own bricklaying business, reported in The Philadelphia Inquirer as occurring within four years of his arrival in the U.S., while the Courier-Post stated that it was "by 1960." He received several government contracts and constructed houses in Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. With money earned from the business, he paid for his brothers to move to the U.S. as well. He lost a significant amount of money during a 1964 project, but within a few years, had "regroup" and become "a bona fide businessman with a bankroll to match."
Ceritano was also an "opera enthusiast." He was on the board of directors for the Suburban Opera Company and later served as president of the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company. He helped lead the merger of the Philadelphia Opera Company with the rival Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company to form the Philadelphia Opera Company, which Ceritano then was vice president of. While on a trip to Italy in 1969, he noticed the singing of tenor Walter Rinaldi in a restaurant, which he called the "best since Lanza." After convincing Rinaldi, Ceritano "brought him to America, sent him to school, and formed a one-man production and record company," according to The Inquirer. Ceritano was manager for Rinaldi during his career and he started Ceritano Enterprises to handle "the promotion end" for Rinaldi.
Ceritano Wines and purchase of the Hilton Inn
Legal issues and bankruptcy
Personal life and death
Ceritano met Frances Cini, the sister of singer Al Martino, while on a blind date in 1951, and the two married the following year.
WPHL-TV "Moment of Joy" 1977
References
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 (subscription required). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sardella, Carlo M. (April 23, 1972). "Cherry Hill Tycoon Builds Future for Tenor From His Native Italy". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 199 – via Newspapers.com.
- Avery, Ron (April 7, 1981). "The 'master' teaches how to enjoy life". Courier-Post. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- Knox, Andrea (July 24, 1977). "The wine man tries to charm the wolves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 1, 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- Knox, Andrea (July 24, 1977). "The wine man tries to charm the wolves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 1, 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sardella, Carlo M. (April 23, 1972). "Cherry Hill Tycoon Builds Future for Tenor From His Native Italy". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 199 – via Newspapers.com.
- Micko, Lillian (April 12, 1979). "The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams". Courier-Post. p. 25, 27 – via Newspapers.com.
- Knox, Andrea (July 24, 1977). "The wine man tries to charm the wolves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 1, 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- Micko, Lillian (April 12, 1979). "The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams". Courier-Post. p. 25, 27 – via Newspapers.com.
- Knox, Andrea (July 24, 1977). "The wine man tries to charm the wolves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 1, 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- Micko, Lillian (April 12, 1979). "The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams". Courier-Post. p. 25, 27 – via Newspapers.com.
- Micko, Lillian (April 12, 1979). "The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams". Courier-Post. p. 25, 27 – via Newspapers.com.
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- Micko, Lillian (April 12, 1979). "The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams". Courier-Post. p. 25, 27 – via Newspapers.com.
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sardella, Carlo M. (April 23, 1972). "Cherry Hill Tycoon Builds Future for Tenor From His Native Italy". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 199 – via Newspapers.com.
- Micko, Lillian (April 12, 1979). "The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams". Courier-Post. p. 25, 27 – via Newspapers.com.
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- Micko, Lillian (April 12, 1979). "The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams". Courier-Post. p. 25, 27 – via Newspapers.com.
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Ceritano On Board". Courier-Post. June 23, 1970. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- Schmidt, Tom (December 31, 1976). "Hotel Bought By Contractor". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 53 – via Newspapers.com.
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sardella, Carlo M. (April 23, 1972). "Cherry Hill Tycoon Builds Future for Tenor From His Native Italy". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 199 – via Newspapers.com.
- Petzold, Charles (January 7, 1971). "Voice Heard in Rome Street to Soar in S. Philly". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sardella, Carlo M. (April 23, 1972). "Cherry Hill Tycoon Builds Future for Tenor From His Native Italy". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 199 – via Newspapers.com.
- Byrd, Jerry W. (May 6, 1990). "A. Ceritano, 58, builder and opera enthusiast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
- Knox, Andrea (July 24, 1977). "The wine man tries to charm the wolves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 1, 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- Micko, Lillian (April 12, 1979). "The little old winemaker: Ceritano tries to put together broken dreams". Courier-Post. p. 25, 27 – via Newspapers.com.
- "TV Listings". The Morning News. April 26, 1977. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
- Knox, Andrea (July 24, 1977). "The wine man tries to charm the wolves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 1, 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- Gutwein-Guenther, Alan (October 1, 1990). "Ceritano's life recalled with a 'moment of joy'". Courier-Post. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.