Live from City Hall on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the New York City Council, led by Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, hosted a distinguished Italian Heritage Celebration in honor of Italian Heritage Month.
The evening brought together Council Members David Carr, Minority Leader Joann Ariola, Robert F. Holden, Kristy Marmorato, Frank Morano, and Vickie Paladino in a ceremony that paid tribute to the Italian American spirit that continues to shape New York’s identity.
Among this year’s honorees were Angelo Vivolo, Founder of the Columbus Coalition and a longtime advocate for the Italian American community; actress Kathrine Narducci, celebrated for her portrayals of strong, complex Italian women; and Retired FDNY Lieutenant Enrico Boletti, whose story we are honored to feature exclusively this evening.
The Italian Heritage and Culture Committee presented their 2025 theme poster to Council Member David Carr. This year’s theme pays homage to Michelangelo: An Italian Genius, marking the 550th anniversary of his birth in the Tuscan hills of Caprese. The program featured distinguished guests including Uff. Cav. Dr. Joseph Scelsa, Founder of the Italian American Museum; Joe Rizzi of FIAO Il Centro; Simona Rodano, The Italian Fairy; Dr. Tamburi of the Calandra Institute; and members of the FDNY Columbia Association. Guests enjoyed traditional Italian dishes and live performances that filled the Council Chambers with a spirit of joy, pride, and belonging.
Tonight’s spotlight honors Retired FDNY Lieutenant Enrico Boletti, a hero whose life story embodies the shared values of family, loyalty, courage, and service—principles deeply rooted in both his Italian heritage and the FDNY brotherhood. For over two decades, Lieutenant Boletti’s career has reflected a deep sense of duty to his department, his heritage, and his community. His journey tells the story of an Italian-American legacy woven into the fabric of New York City’s resilience and humanity.
Enrico’s story begins before his own birth in 1959, when his parents emigrated from Piacenza, Italy, carrying with them the timeless Italian ideals of faith, family, and sacrifice. Like so many Italian immigrants before them, they sought a better life through hard work and integrity—values that shaped the foundation of their son’s path.
Service and loyalty became second nature to Enrico. As shared by his former professor, Dr. Joseph Scelsa, Founder of the Italian American Museum: “Enrico was a student of mine when he attended Baruch College. He helped establish the Inter CUNY Italian American Student Association among the 20 CUNY colleges. Enrico has never forgotten his roots and has constantly given of himself to many causes, one of which is the Italian American Museum. Enrico, I salute you and am proud to call you my amico.”
After earning his Bachelor’s degree from Baruch College, Enrico received recognition from the FDNY Foundation for excellence and continued his studies at John Jay College, where he earned a degree in Fire and Emergency Management. He joined the FDNY in 1999, first serving with Engine 246, then with Squad 1 from January 2002 to 2020. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2020, serving with Division 13 and later as Lieutenant in the Rescue Battalion, completing his distinguished career UFO—Up for Order—with Squad 270.
Lieutenant Boletti’s honors and achievements include six Unit Citations, three Pre-Hospital Saves, and service as an Instructor at the FDNY Technical Rescue School on Randall’s Island under Special Operations Command. He was also a proud member of NY FEMA Task Force One, part of the FDNY’s elite rescue response team.
In retirement, Lieutenant Boletti continues to embody the FDNY’s creed of “Service Before Self.” His humanitarian work and civic leadership remain unwavering. He currently serves as a Board Member of Queensboro UNICO, a Lead Organizer for the Rockaway Warriors Weekend—which honors and hosts wounded veterans—and as a Board Member of Società Val Trebbia Val Nura, the historic mutual aid society founded by immigrants from his parents’ native region of Piacenza.
He also contributes to the Community Mayors Organization, supporting children with special needs, and remains an active member of the Italian Heritage Coalition and Board Member of the FDNY Columbia Association, which organizes the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Columbus Circle for Columbus Day Weekend. Through his service—both in and out of uniform—Lieutenant Boletti continues to bridge generations and communities, reminding us that the essence of heritage lies not only in remembrance but in action.
His story stands as a reflection of the Italian-American experience in New York City—a narrative defined by hard work, devotion, and the unbreakable bond between culture and service. As the evening drew to a close in the luminous halls of City Hall, one message resonated deeply among all who gathered: heritage lives on through those who serve, protect, and give without expectation.
