Dominic DiFrisco, the man known as the "voice of Chicago's Italian-American Community," died Saturday morning due to complications from lymphoma. He was 85. For decades, he steered the ABC7 broadcast booth during the annual Columbus Day Parade, providing color commentary with his encyclopedic knowledge of Chicago-Italian history and achievements. 

He was the most recognized and vocal supporter of local Italian Americans. DiFrisco helped ressurect Little Italy's Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii. He was President Emeritus of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) and well-known for creating and hosting its annual Dante Awards.