by Sandra Tornberg

Ottavio Mecca has helped many of us through the process of obtaining Italian citizenship, in addition to having helped many in the Italian community with their U.S. Immigration questions and issues. On August 17 he and his wife Angela were sworn in as U.S. citizens at the Theodore Levin United States Courthouse in Detroit.

Ottavio came to Buffalo, New York in December 1964 with a student visa. In January 1965 he enrolled in the Bryant & Stratton Business Institute and completed the four-year program in two years, obtaining a diploma in Business Administration, Accounting Major. After graduation he received three job offers and accepted the position of assistant controller with Gioia Macaroni, who needed to hire someone who was fluent in Italian.

Ottavio met his beautiful wife Angela in 1969 and they married in 1971. Since Angela had a green card, Ottavio's "pending status" was resolved and he too was granted a green card. They have two children, Marinica and John Paul. In 1986 they moved from Buffalo to the Detroit area where Ottavio went to work for Prince Macaroni, which was locally owned at the time. Eventually Borden Foods purchased Prince and the Warren facility was later closed.

Ottavio and Angela relocated to Kansas City, KS where Ottavio went to work for Landucci Srl., a manufacturer of industrial pasta-making equipment. They remained there until his retirement in 2008, when they returned to Michigan to be reunited with their children and grandchildren. In April 2009 Ottavio accepted the position of office secretary of COMITES and has been helping the Italian community ever since.

Angela is the acting president of the Puglia Club, and Ottavio is the secretary. They are the proud grandparents of Isabella, Antonio, Dominic, Gabriella, and Daniella. Isabella and Antonio were on hand to witness their grandparents being sworn in.

Congratulations to Angela and Ottavio, and thank you for your service to the Italian community!