LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Mario Occhicone upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition by the Comunita Andrettese Club,
Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Mario Occhicone upon the occasion of his designation for special recog-
nition by the Comunita Andrettese Club, Inc. at its 31st Annual Dinner-
Dance to be held on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Maestro's Caterers,
Bronx, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born on September 17, 1946, Mario Occhicone was raised in the
Bronx until he was a teenager and his family moved to Yonkers, New York;
and
WHEREAS, In 1971, Mario Occhicone joined the service station business;
he owned and operated a successful, award winning station for over 30
years; during which time, he served as president of the Service Station
Dealers of Greater New York and as Chairman of the Shell Oil Company
Dealer Relations Panel; and
WHEREAS, Early in his career, Mario Occhicone also began purchasing
and managing various real estate properties; what once began as a small
venture in real estate has grown into a sizable business that he contin-
ues to own and operate; his properties have received many beautification
awards throughout the years; and
WHEREAS, Mario Occhicone's creativity is not limited to the business
world; he has studied acting at NYU, as well as under veteran directors
Gene Frankel and Flo Greenburg; he has been a member of SAG for over a
decade and has appeared in numerous national commercials, print adver-
tisements and films; and
WHEREAS, Mario Occhicone has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader, he has served on the Town of Ramapo
Planning Board from 1986-1992, the Rockland County Board from 1992-1996,
and he was one of the founding fathers of the Village of Airmont; he has
also been the president of Park Place Condominiums in Suffern, New York,
since 1992; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Mario Occhicone donated a plot of land to the
Village of Nyack for use in building a low-income housing community;
over 30 residences will be built on this land which will serve as homes
for many local families; the project will be named after Mario's beloved
grandfather, Giuseppe Occhicone, who was Mario's inspiration to return
to Andretta to connect with Italian roots; and
WHEREAS, However, the one achievement that Mario Occhicone is most
proud of is the establishment of the Town of Ramapo Italian Twinning
Committee; founded in 1996, this created an educational and cultural
exchange program for the young people of Ramapo, New York, and Andretta,
Italy; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the program has sent over 30 high school
students on a summer cultural exchange program to Andretta; in alternat-
ing summers, American students have played host to their Italian coun-
terparts; Mario Occhicone proudly served as the program's president for
five years and continues to be involved today; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his service, a period of
constructive involvement, Mario Occhicone has stood constant in dignity,
good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Kristine, their two
children, Christopher and Tricia, and a wonderful daughter-in-law,
Magdalena, as well as their grandson, Americo, all of whom feel privi-
leged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Mario Occhicone upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Comunita Andrettese Club, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mario Occhicone.