Westies Care founder and President Phil Liscio has been chosen as the city’s Italian American of the Year, and will be honored at a celebration this week, according officials. Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and the West Haven Italian Heritage Committee will present the annual award at noon Oct. 15 at City Hall, the city said in a release.

The award is given each year to “an Italian resident or couple who personifies service in the city’s close-knit Italian American community,” it said. Friday’s event will feature Italian music and an “Italian-flavored lunch,” the city said in the release.