The Story of A Brother in Rockland and his Sister in Sicily

John Carollo, the popular owner and Chef of the Deal Arte's Italian Family restaurant in Orangetown was born December 1956 in a small town of 3,000 people, just 15 miles from Sicily's Capital and largest city, Palermo. He was the 12th child of the 13 his Mother gave birth to, 7 of which did not survive at birth.

I have written many Patch Articles about John's life journey from Sicily to Rockland County, but never shared the following, but first I want to retell the following:

In June of 1966, John's father died. John was only 9. The tragedy was unexpected, shocking and difficult for John's Mother to make ends meet, so much so, that John's Mother choose to place John and one of his young brothers in a Convent orphanage in Palermo. After 6 months she brought them home, saying "If we have to starve to death we will starve to death together." It was all about family. Two years later, an earthquake made the family homeless. Ergo, America, the land of opportunity.

Some of John's older siblings had already immigrated. Some decided to stay in Sicily. As an example, John's sister, Fina, the oldest child, at the age of 13, entered the convent of the "The Religious of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd" Congregation, a world wide organization. Over the years Fina served as its Mother Superior in Rome. The core mission of the International Order is to serve women and children at risk.

This is her story. It is a story of a life of more that 6 decades of doing God's work. I like to call her Sicily's "Good Samaritan". Her core mission of protecting women and children at risk, now includes immigrants from North Africa, "Boy Soldiers" from Africa, sex trafficking, the frail elderly, including her own elderly fellow Nuns, the handicapped, the list simply does not end.

When groups of John's loyalists customers and friends, which included mostly people of Irish birth or blood, prevailed upon John to take them to visit many times of his childhood home, every visit included meeting John's big Sister -> Sister Guilianno [Fina] and see for themselves what humanitarian magic she was doing even at her age. Eileen, born and raised in Northern Ireland, felt like we were meeting with another version of Mother Theresa, as well as enjoying the same warmth that people receive in Ireland.

As John became more aware of what negative impact the pandemic caused, he decided that those of us in Rockland might be willing to help Sister Fina in a way they can enjoy John Carollo's food and company [with Italian music vis a vis Chris Murphy]. Ergo a fundraiser at Del Arte's on Wednesday, August 18, at 6:00 PM. $60 pp which includes the taxes & tips {the alcohol is not included.}, 100 percent of the rest goes to Sister Fina.

Call 845-365-2727 for a reservation.