The Cleveland Italian American Heritage Committee is proud to announce the selected honorees for 2024 Cleveland Italian American Heritage Month. The honorees will be recognized at a ceremony at the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda on October 7, 2024, at 6 p.m.  All are welcome to attend and enjoy a complimentary dinner.

American Limousine Services, 

Bob Mazzarella – Business

Bob Mazzarella is a third-generation Italian American, who has a family history of entrepreneurship, rich faith, and dedication to community service. He grew-up working for both of his father’s businesses: American Limousine Service and American Coach Sales. While attending St. Edward High School (‘75), Bob spent time after school washing cars and his weekends driving funerals. In 1979, he took a more active role and began his career growing the family business to new heights.

Under his leadership, American Limousine Service gained a robust reputation not only in funeral service and night-and-weekend transportation, but also in corporate transportation. It expanded to Columbus and became a Carey International franchise. Today, it has one of the top 20 largest fleets in U.S. chauffeured transportation. Additionally, Bob transformed American Coach Sales from a small regional dealership to a nationwide dealership and one of the largest distributors of funeral and specialty vehicles in the world. 

As dedicated as Bob is to business, he relishes the opportunity to carry on his family’s legacy of community service. Bob is particularly involved with Our Lady of Mount Carmel-West, where he serves as the chair of the Finance Committee and vice president of the OLMC School Board. In 2022, the Mercedarian Order awarded him with the title of “Fratello Maggiore,” a special distinction he shares with his grandfather Robert. Additionally, Bob serves on the Advisory Board of Mt. Alverna Village, the Philanthropy & Community Service Committee for the Northern Ohio Italian American Foundation and is responsible for Veterans Affairs for the Neighborhood Vets Club on Herman Avenue. He attributes the balance between working and community involvement to his success and longevity. 

Bob has loved spending the past 45 years of his career working alongside his parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings. He now especially enjoys working with all three of his children. 

Senator Jerry C. Cirino – Public Servant

Senator Jerry C. Cirino is currently serving his first term in the Ohio Senate, representing the people of Lake County and portions of Cuyahoga County. He brings proven leadership and considerable business expertise to state government, as well as a keen understanding of local government from his four recent years as a Lake County Commissioner.

Senator Cirino spent many years leading companies in the medical device arena. Now retired, he was the founding CEO of SourceOne Healthcare Technologies in Mentor and was instrumental in bringing hundreds of new jobs to Lake County and Ohio through his work as a business leader. As a county commissioner, he worked to create a jobs-friendly environment and a local government that was responsive to the needs and challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A fiscal conservative, Senator Cirino’s experience in managing complex budgets and creatively dealing with business challenges coupled with his passion for success, will help protect taxpayer dollars and ensure the future growth of Lake and Cuyahoga counties.

Active in his community, Senator Cirino has previously served as chairman of the board of trustees of Lakeland Community College and was a board member of Lake Heath Systems and Lake Erie College. Additionally, he continues to serve on boards of numerous companies and not-for-profit organizations. Senator Cirino is also the co-founder of MyBoard Advisors, a consulting firm serving the needs of small businesses. 

Senator Cirino is active in the Roman Catholic Church in a variety of capacities. He has also served as Board Chair of Cleveland Right to Life, a 501(c)(3) educational entity. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and an MBA from Lake Erie College in Lake County. In 2005, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, following his commencement address.

Senator Cirino and his wife, Donna, have been married for 50 years and have lived in Lake County for over 40 years where they raised their nine children. They now have 38 grandchildren, most of whom reside in Lake County.

O.A. Bertin Company - Arts

The O.A. Bertin Company was founded in 1926 by Odorico Bertin after he immigrated to the U.S. from Northern Italy. Joined by his two sons and a nephew, Odorico launched the business utilizing their finely developed skills and kept it running through hard work and dedication.

After WWII, Odorico passed down the operation of the company to his two sons, Tulio and Dante, and his nephew, Achille. All three were accomplished and skilled craftsmen. They formed many deep relationships in the construction industry during this time. In the mid-1950s, Bruno Moreal was taken under the wing of Achille, a part owner of the business. Bruno, a fellow immigrant from Northern Italy, learned the precision of and developed a passion for the business, and eventually became Achille’s son-in-law. When the second generation retired from the family business, Bruno began running the O.A. Bertin Company full-time in 1972. Working with some of the most prominent developers and construction companies, Bruno grew the business and the reputation of the company. His dedication propelled the O.A. Bertin Company for the next generation.

Today, Bruno’s two sons, Mark and Michael, who began their career with the company as teenagers, provide the administrative and field leadership while his daughter, Marisa Kilner, serves as the office manager. Together, they have managed some of the area’s largest renovations and new projects in the terrazzo flooring field including Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Cleveland Clinic, and Rocket Mortgage Field House along with various colleges, universities, and schools throughout Northeast Ohio. 

As the company approaches its 100th anniversary, the 5th generation of the family has become involved in the business. Mark’s son Nick joined the company in 2024. Throughout the century the O.A. Bertin Company has been in business, what remained the same is the family tradition of hard work, pride, passion, and honesty in the craft.

Raymond Guarino – Individual

Raymond Guarino, the youngest child of Angelo and Doris Guarino, was raised in Willoughby Hills, OH, along with his three brothers and three sisters. Ray attended St. Felicitas Elementary School and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1982.

Raymond’s professional career was with the Ohio Lottery Commission, where he headed the IT department and from which he retired after 33 years of service.  During his time at the commission and following his retirement, Raymond has been active in Northeast Ohio’s Italian American community. 

A longtime member of the Italian American Brotherhood Club (IABC), located in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood, Raymond has been serving on the club’s Board of Directors as a trustee since 2000. In 2017, he was elected IABC president. Under Raymond’s leadership, the club has grown in many ways and has made a significant and positive impact on the Little Italy neighborhood. Amongst Raymond’s accomplishments are the acquisition and rehabilitation of the club’s headquarters building in Little Italy on Random Rd., the construction and ownership of the Rocky Colavito statue located in Brush Park, and the purposeful expansion of the club to ensure its ability to sustain itself for the benefit of future generations.

As co-financial secretary of the Abruzzo Earthquake Committee, Mr. Guarino was instrumental in the local effort to raise funds for the victims of the Abruzzo earthquake in 2009.  The committee organized many Northeast Ohio Italian American clubs and raised over $80,000 for the relief efforts in Italy.

Raymond lives in Chesterland, OH, with Gina, and sons Trevor and Linus, and has two adult daughters, Alexa and Lauren. In addition to his work with the IAB Club, he serves as president of the Geauga Parks District and is the owner of Severino’s Restaurant in Eastlake, OH.

• Bob Mazzarella Bob Mazzarella
• Raymond Guarino Raymond Guarino
• Senator Jerry C.... Senator Jerry C....
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