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Revision as of 03:40, 24 December 2024 by BeanieFan11 (talk | contribs) (add)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| 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. |
| Nationality | Italian-American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1960s–1970s |
| Known for | Ceritano Wines |
| Children | 4 |
Armand Ceritano (May 4, 1931 – May 2, 1990) was an Italian-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. 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." When he was 17, he immigrated to the United States. 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." He was unable to speak English at the time and later said that "My only capital in Italy was a goat."
Career
Later life and death
References
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.