L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURS DAY,   JUNE  13,   2013 PAGE  17 Ambassador Rober t Pastorino Dies at 73 NIcKolAS MARINellI Robert Stephen Pastorino, a stalwart of San Francisco's Italian Community and former United States Ambassador, died of natural causes this past Thursday, June 6th. Born on March 16, 1940 and raised in San Francisco, Pastorino graduated from San Francisco Polytechnic High School and San Francisco State University. Pastorino was a career Foreign Service Officer who joined the Department of State in 1966. His early overseas assignments included political, economic, and commercial positions in Embassies in Caracas, Bogota, and Lisbon and in the United States Consulate General in Hermosillo, Mexico. He was assigned to Mexico City as economic counselor in 1984, and as political counselor in 1985. He served as Charge d'Affaires in Tegucigalpa, Honduras between July and November 1986 and as deputy chief of mission until May 1987. Pastorino was then appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for InterAmerican Affairs, and also served as a commodities negotiator and financial analyst at the Department of State. In 1988 Pastorino was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, as Senior Director of Latin American Affairs on the National Security Council staff. While Deputy Chief of Mission at the American Embassy in Mexico City in 1989, Pastorino assisted in developing the first conceptual Robert Pastorino paper for the future North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He par- ticipated in the beginning of the NAFTA negotiations, and was a public government advocate for NAFTA. In 1991, Pastorino was named Ambassador to Dominican Republic by President George H. W. Bush. He received multiple honors including the Department of State Superior Award for Assistance during the 1985 Mexico City Earthquake. After his retirement, he finally had the time to pursue his more personal interests. He was an unrivaled sports fan, he cheered the San Francisco Giants, the San Francisco 49ers, the Golden State Warriors, and the Cal Bears with equal enthusiasm. He was incredibly devoted to his family, with whom he shared his love of all things Italian, books, sports, world affairs, wine and travel. When "America's Oldest Italian Restaurant," the Fior d'Italia re-opened earlier this year, Pastorino was there, working the crowd, telling stories of the old days, and enthusiastically sharing ideas for future projects. Always wishing to support the Italian Community, Ambassador Pastorino was a frequent contributor to L'Italo-Americano throughout the years. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Frances Estepa Pastorino, three children and nine grandchildren. His funeral service, entrusted to Valente, Marini, Perata and Company Funeral Directors, was held on Wednesday, June 12th at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. He will be laid to rest at the Italian Cemetery in Colma. Il Cenacolo Italian Culture Club Moves…Again NIcKolAS MARINellI Since 1928, Il Cenacolo has been recognized as San Francisco's premiere Italian cultural club. Since its inception, the venerable old organization has held regular Thursday luncheons, during which guest Room of the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, also on Washington Square. When the "new" Fior d'Italia reopened near Fisherman's Wharf, Il Cenacolo returned there for its Thursday luncheons. Sadly, the Fior d'Italia closed its doors in Don Lewis, President of Il Cenacolo (left), is welcomed to the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club by Al Cipollina, President of the SFIAC (right). Photo credit: Nickolas Marinelli. speakers representing all aspects of Italian culture have addressed the all-male membership. At first they met at Armando Campagnoli's restaurant in the 800 block of Geary Street, and when they outgrew that location, they moved the Fairmont Hotel where assistant manager Alberto Campione provided meeting space for the club in 1932. World War II curtailed the club's outward activities somewhat, but eventually they were back, bigger and stronger than ever. They settled in at the Fior d'Italia restaurant on the southwest corner of Stockton and Union streets in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. They continued to meet there every Thursday for nearly half a century, interrupted only by a devastating fire that temporarily closed "America's oldest Italian Restaurant" in 2004. The club hastily relocated its luncheons to the President's the spring of 2012, and Il Cenacolo moved to another San Francisco landmark, Caesar's Restaurant. But a few months later, Caesar's permanently closed its doors after a long and glorious run. The club then continued its long tradition of luncheons at yet another North Beach institution, Volare Trattoria Caffé. The food was great, the service was beyond excellent, and the meeting room…well…it was a bit small for the large regular luncheons. So for the third time in a year, Il Cenacolo began searching for yet another "permanent" location. One member of the club pointed out that, years earlier, when the Fior d'Italia was being rebuilt after its 2004 fire, the club had temporarily met at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, and that by all accounts, they were quite satisfied at that location. So the ball began rolling, and after some brief negotiations, Il Cenacolo's Board of Directors decided to move the club's meetings to the nearly century-old SFIAC. The first luncheon at Il Cenacolo's new "permanent" location was held on Thursday, June 6 th , where SFIAC President Alberto Cipollini welcomed Il Cenacolo President Don Lewis to the President's Room on the third floor. There, the regular Thursday luncheon was held with the enthusiastic approval of Il Cenacolo's membership. Chef Paul Alioto, the SFIAC's General Manager, prepared a feast to welcome Il Cenacolo; it impressed everyone, and was enjoyed by all. So for the foreseeable future, Il Cenacolo is once again on stable ground, and its members and invited guests can count on having a first-class dining experience at a great venue, where they can continue to engage each other in an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie. Of special note this month is a talk scheduled to be delivered on Thursday, June 20 th by Jean Kellogg, Executive Director of the Merola Opera Program. Her topic will be, "The Heritage and Future of the Merola Opera Program." Those interested in attending this presentation, or those interested in membership in Il Cenacolo, may contact Ron Derenzi, Membership Chairman at: Membri@IlCenacoloSF.org June 13, Thurs. - Italian Jazz Month, Enrico Rava Quintet, Venue: Yoshi's. For information: http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco June 15, Sat. - Viva L'Italia Gala Dinner, An evening to benefit the performance of the Verdi Requiem (October 25, 2013); Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco. For information visit http://www.sfyic.org/gala-dinner-on-june-15-2013/ June 15-16, Sat & Sun. - 59th Annual North Beach Festival, The Festival is considered one of the country's original outdoor Festivals, For info www.sresproductions.com/ north_beach_festival.html June 20, Thurs. - Roberto Rossellini film screenings: Voyage to Italy. The California Film Institute will screen two films by acclaimed Italian director Roberto Rossellini at the Smith Rafael Film Center. For info visit http://www.cafilm.org/rfc/films/1879.html June 21, Fri.- Italian Jazz Month, Pino Daniele, Venue: SF Jazz Festival. For information visit: http://www.sfjazz.org/ June 22, Sat. - From Taylorism to Tailor Made-A Symposium created and presented by Fondazione Giannino Bassetti & HE NEW ITALIAN DESIGN An Exhibition from the Triennale Design Museum of Milan. For information: (415) 788-7142 Academy of Art University, The Cannery, San Francisco", or contact.sanfrancisco@esteri.it

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