Dante Alighieri Society of Jersey City - Executive Panel

  • VINCENT J RUGGIERO HEADSHOT

    Vincent J. Ruggiero

    President

  • LOU TISCORNIA

    Lou Tiscornia

    Vice President

  • Albert Cupo Sr.

    Albert Cupo Sr.

    Chairman of the Board

  • AJ CUPO HEADSHOT

    Albert Cupo (AJ) II

    Sargeant-At-Arms

  • joseph shaara headshot

    Joseph Shaara

    Treasurer

  • bart quentzel headshot

    Bart Quentzel

    Recording Secretary

  • Emblem of the Dante Alighieri Society, Jersey City, NJ, featuring a portrait of Dante Alighieri with text "Est. 1909" and "Service Above Self."

    Shawn Prince

    Corresponding Secretary

  • Seal of the Dante Alighieri Society in Jersey City, NJ, featuring a profile of Dante Alighieri and text stating 'Est. 1909' and 'Service Above Self.'

    Guy Catrillo

    Chaplain

  • Logo of Dante Alighieri Society featuring a profile of Dante Alighieri, with the text 'Dante Alighieri Society, Jersey City, NJ, Service Above Self, Est. 1909', surrounded by a yellow braided border.

    Pantsy Panza

    Lifetime Member

Dante Alighieri Society Partnerships:

  • Annual Breakfast with Santa for under-privileged kids in Jersey City and surrounding areas

  • American Legion Post 107, Hoboken, NJ

  • Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation, Bayonne, NJ

  • Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County

  • Casa Colombo, Jersey City, NJ

  • Community First, Jersey City, NJ

  • Hoboken Homeless Shelter

  • Hyacinth Foundation of Hudson County

  • Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Secaucus, NJ

  • OLC Catholic Church, Jersey City, NJ

  • Ray of Hope Foundation

  • Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church, Hoboken, NJ

  • Saint Dominic's Academy, Jersey City, NJ

  • Saint Elizabeth Childcare Center, Jersey City, NJ

  • Saint Matthew's Ministry Food Bank, Hoboken, NJ

  • Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, Jersey City, NJ

  • Salvation Army (multiple locations)

  • Tom Zuppa Civic Association

  • York Street Project, Jersey City, NJ

  • $5,000 College Scholarships for young women high school seniors

Dante Alighieri Society - Event Photos

December 2025 - DASJC Christmas Party at Villa Maria

December 2025 - DASJC Christmas Party at Villa Maria

A group of people sitting around a round table at a formal gathering or celebration dinner event, some with drinks, decorations, and food on the table, in a well-lit banquet hall.

A group of people sitting around a round table at a formal gathering or celebration dinner event, some with drinks, decorations, and food on the table, in a well-lit banquet hall.

Group of people celebrating at a dinner event, sitting around a table with drinks, in a decorated banquet hall.

Group of people celebrating at a dinner event, sitting around a table with drinks, in a decorated banquet hall.

Three people dressed in red and black standing together in front of a balloon display, smiling for a photo at an indoor event.

Three people dressed in red and black standing together in front of a balloon display, smiling for a photo at an indoor event.

Group of six people sitting at a round table with glasses and bottles, celebrating Christmas with a festive backdrop including a Christmas tree, Santa figure, and holiday decorations.

Group of six people sitting at a round table with glasses and bottles, celebrating Christmas with a festive backdrop including a Christmas tree, Santa figure, and holiday decorations.

A group of people gathered around a round table at a banquet or holiday celebration in a decorated event hall, with some wearing Christmas-themed clothing.

A group of people gathered around a round table at a banquet or holiday celebration in a decorated event hall, with some wearing Christmas-themed clothing.

Group of seven people sitting at a round table during a holiday gathering, with wine glasses, bottles, and festive napkins.

Group of seven people sitting at a round table during a holiday gathering, with wine glasses, bottles, and festive napkins.

People sitting at a round dinner table decorated for Christmas, with holiday sweaters and festive tableware.

People sitting at a round dinner table decorated for Christmas, with holiday sweaters and festive tableware.

Two men smiling for a selfie at a festive holiday gathering, one wearing a light blue jacket and the other in an ugly Christmas sweater with a Darth Vader skull wearing a Santa hat, in a decorated event space.

Two men smiling for a selfie at a festive holiday gathering, one wearing a light blue jacket and the other in an ugly Christmas sweater with a Darth Vader skull wearing a Santa hat, in a decorated event space.

A man and a woman taking a selfie at a festive gathering in a decorated banquet hall.

A man and a woman taking a selfie at a festive gathering in a decorated banquet hall.

May 2025 - DASJC Man of the Year Gala

May 2025 - DASJC Man of the Year Gala

A man wearing a black hat, yellow sunglasses, and a black shirt playing a silver flute into a microphone.

A man wearing a black hat, yellow sunglasses, and a black shirt playing a silver flute into a microphone.

Three people seated at a round table during a social event or reception, with a bar in the background. Two men and one woman are smiling at the camera. The woman is wearing glasses, a red jacket, and a cream-colored scarf with floral patterns. The ma

Three people seated at a round table during a social event or reception, with a bar in the background. Two men and one woman are smiling at the camera. The woman is wearing glasses, a red jacket, and a cream-colored scarf with floral patterns. The man on the left is in a black tuxedo with a bow tie, and the man in the middle is in a blue suit with a striped tie. The table has plates with food, several wine glasses, and drinks, including one with a straw.

Three men sitting at a restaurant table with glasses of water, smiling for the camera, in a well-lit room with large windows and other guests in the background.

Three men sitting at a restaurant table with glasses of water, smiling for the camera, in a well-lit room with large windows and other guests in the background.

Two women sitting at a table in a restaurant or banquet hall, both dressed in red, with glasses of wine or water in front of them, and people in the background

Two women sitting at a table in a restaurant or banquet hall, both dressed in red, with glasses of wine or water in front of them, and people in the background

Two men dressed in formal attire, smiling and standing close together at a social event in a bright, elegant room with large windows.

Two men dressed in formal attire, smiling and standing close together at a social event in a bright, elegant room with large windows.

A woman smiling and waving at a microphone, with a band behind her, including saxophone players, in a decorated event hall.

A woman smiling and waving at a microphone, with a band behind her, including saxophone players, in a decorated event hall.

Group of five people dressed in formal attire standing in a bright room with large windows and curtains, smiling at the camera.

Group of five people dressed in formal attire standing in a bright room with large windows and curtains, smiling at the camera.

Six men dressed in formal suits and tuxedos standing in a line inside a decorated banquet hall with large windows and elegant drapes.

Six men dressed in formal suits and tuxedos standing in a line inside a decorated banquet hall with large windows and elegant drapes.

Six adults standing indoors in front of large windows with curtains, smiling for a group photo.

Six adults standing indoors in front of large windows with curtains, smiling for a group photo.

Four women standing together at a formal event in a grand ballroom with pink lighting and US flag in the background.

Four women standing together at a formal event in a grand ballroom with pink lighting and US flag in the background.

A man in a blue suit holding a glass of drink at a formal event, with people dining at a table in the background and a window with greenery outside.

A man in a blue suit holding a glass of drink at a formal event, with people dining at a table in the background and a window with greenery outside.

Four people, three women and one man, standing together and smiling at an indoor event with white ornate walls and an American flag in the background.

Four people, three women and one man, standing together and smiling at an indoor event with white ornate walls and an American flag in the background.

A woman and a priest smiling together at a formal event in a decorated banquet hall.

A woman and a priest smiling together at a formal event in a decorated banquet hall.

A man in a tuxedo and a woman in a colorful dress standing together at a formal event, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in the background.

A man in a tuxedo and a woman in a colorful dress standing together at a formal event, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in the background.

Three people in formal attire smiling at a banquet or wedding reception, with tables, chairs, and other guests in the background.

Three people in formal attire smiling at a banquet or wedding reception, with tables, chairs, and other guests in the background.

Two women smiling indoors near a window with green trees outside, one older woman with glasses and a pink scarf, and one middle-aged woman with shoulder-length brown hair and a purple necklace.

Two women smiling indoors near a window with green trees outside, one older woman with glasses and a pink scarf, and one middle-aged woman with shoulder-length brown hair and a purple necklace.

Group of five men at a formal event, sitting around a table with a floral centerpiece, in a decorated banquet hall with large windows and drapes.

Group of five men at a formal event, sitting around a table with a floral centerpiece, in a decorated banquet hall with large windows and drapes.

Group of five smiling adults, three women and two men, standing closely together in a decorated ballroom with white walls, chandelier, and marble floor, posing for a photo.

Group of five smiling adults, three women and two men, standing closely together in a decorated ballroom with white walls, chandelier, and marble floor, posing for a photo.

Four women dressed in formal black attire, smiling and posing together at an indoor event with a live band and a chandelier in the background.

Four women dressed in formal black attire, smiling and posing together at an indoor event with a live band and a chandelier in the background.

Group of six adults smiling and posing together at a social event in a bright, elegant indoor venue with large arched windows.

Group of six adults smiling and posing together at a social event in a bright, elegant indoor venue with large arched windows.

A man in a black tuxedo with a red vest and bow tie speaking at a podium with a microphone, with four men in tuxedos standing behind him.

A man in a black tuxedo with a red vest and bow tie speaking at a podium with a microphone, with four men in tuxedos standing behind him.

Group of seven people dressed in formal attire, standing in front of a fireplace with a lit fire. Some are wearing tuxedos and one woman is in a black dress with a slit, all with boutonnieres or corsages. An American flag is visible behind them. They

Group of seven people dressed in formal attire, standing in front of a fireplace with a lit fire. Some are wearing tuxedos and one woman is in a black dress with a slit, all with boutonnieres or corsages. An American flag is visible behind them. They are posing together, smiling and looking at the camera.

March 2025 - DASJC St. Patrick’s Day Pre-Parade Breakfast Party

March 2025 - DASJC St. Patrick’s Day Pre-Parade Breakfast Party

members pose at table

members pose at table

Man poses holding his son

Man poses holding his son

Cupo father and son pose

Cupo father and son pose

members pose standing

members pose standing

four women pose

four women pose

members pose with food

members pose with food

members pose at table

members pose at table

members pose with drinks

members pose with drinks

members hold banner and pose outdoors

members hold banner and pose outdoors

December 2023 - DASJC Meet Santa

December 2023 - DASJC Meet Santa

Santa poses with children

Santa poses with children

Santa poses with one child

Santa poses with one child

Santa poses with one child

Santa poses with one child

Santa poses with children

Santa poses with children

Santa poses with a child

Santa poses with a child

2021 - DASJC 112th Anniversary - Man of the Year Gala

2021 - DASJC 112th Anniversary - Man of the Year Gala

members pose with drinks

members pose with drinks

two men hold glass award

two men hold glass award

men shake hands at podium

men shake hands at podium

members pose with student

members pose with student

members pose with large bottle

members pose with large bottle

members pose seated at table

members pose seated at table

buffet table presentation with flowers

buffet table presentation with flowers

members pose seated and standing

members pose seated and standing

two women pose with microphone

two women pose with microphone

musicians on stage pose

musicians on stage pose

man at microphone on stage

man at microphone on stage

members pose

members pose

A woman smiling with sunglasses on her head and large hoop earrings.

Lori Sorrentino Hennessey Scholarship

The society offers a $5,000.00 one time scholarship to a senior female student of Italian heritage.

The Dante Alighieri Society has provided tens of thousands of dollars over the past several years in scholarships and awards. The cash award goes directly to the student for use as needed.

Applications are in April. The recipient is notified in May.
The Recipient will receive scholarship check for $5000.00 once proof of registration and tuition payment is provided to the Dante Alighieri Society.The Scholarship Recipient must agree to complete a full semester of study and pass all classes during the first semester enrolled after receiving the scholarship, or all funding will be forfeited, and all of the scholarship awarded will be returned to the Dante Alighieri Society of Jersey City.

Lori Sorrentino Hennessey
Lori Sorrentino Hennessey is the daughter of Patrick Sorrentino and Roselyn Evans Sorrentino. She grew up in the Marion Section along with her siblings, James, Debra and Darren. Lori was born in Belleville at Clara Mass Hospital. She attended St. John the Baptist School then the Academy of St. Aloysius High School. She later attended New Jersey City University obtaining her degree in English Literature and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Lori worked for 12 years as an administrative assistant for Fred Alger Management. It was during the time that she realized her true passion was teaching. She went back to school and obtained her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Lori had worked at PS #28 as a preschool teacher for 11 years. When asked how she likes being a preschool teacher Lori was often to be heard saying, “I love it. I love the little kids. I try to take each child and give them the love and guidance they deserve.”

Lori was honored as PS 28, Jersey City Teacher of the Year, Columbus Day Parade Committee Italian Teacher of the Year and Jersey City Police Emerald Society Irish woman of the Year.

Lori was a lifelong Jersey City resident who resided in Country Village.  Lori was married to Det. Mark Hennessey of the JCPD for 20 years. They raised two daughters, Alyssa and Rachel.

The Dante Alighieri Society of Jersey City, is proud of offer a scholarship in her name to a deserving woman of Italian heritage, who will continue Lori’s legacy of service.

Randy Riotto Sr. headshot

In Memoriam

Randolph "Randy" A. Riotto, Sr.

Randy Riotto was truly a  classic gentlemen with a larger than life presence.

He was a beloved father, friend and Dante member. Randy made you feel like you were the most important person in the room no matter who you were. From his prolific stories to his calm demeanor, he was a beacon of light that graced everyone who knew him for 94 beautiful years. Mr. Riotto was the founder of Riotto funeral home which has operated since the 1950’s. He has comforted and cared for countless people near and far in their greatest time of need. His biggest attribute beyond his captivating kindness was his generosity and service to the community. He was handsomely rewarded time and again. Randy served in the Korean War defending his nation and was named Veteran of the year. After helping thousands of people in their time of need as a funeral director and touching the hearts of every person he met, he also received the Centurion Man of The Year Award. The city even renamed Stagg Street “Randy Riotto Way.”

Most importantly, Randy Riotto has been immortalized in our Great Hall at the Dante which has now effectively been renamed Randy Riotto Hall.

Follow us on social media