Diz’ Lamonica Day To Honor Oneonta Centenarian

Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Frank “Diz” Lamonica was in Common Council chambers Tuesday, Jan. 4, where Mayor Dick Miller issued a proclamation honoring his 100th birthday.

Editor’s Note:  Mayor Miller designated Sunday, Jan. 9, “Diz Lamonica Day” in Oneonta in honor of the centenarian.  Here is the text of the proclamation.

WHEREAS, Frank “Diz” LaMonica was born in Oneonta on January 9, 1911, the son of a family whose members immigrated to America from Palermo and Sicily, and
WHEREAS, Frank and his younger brothers, Samuel and Carl, and sisters, Marian and Sylvia, grew up on Market Street and Watkins Avenue in the City, and
WHEREAS, “Diz” worked in the family bowling alley business, becoming its President, and also of his family’s banana sales company, and during the 1940’s,  he promoted amateur boxing for the Oneonta Recreation Commission under Dutch Damaschke, training such local athletes as Butch Katanic, Kid Cuyle, Brad Blasetti, and Dom Mastro, and in 1949, opened the LaMonica Beverage Company, operating his business and serving as its President until his retirement in 1986, on West Broadway, then Fonda Avenue and, ultimately, Railroad Avenue, and
WHEREAS, Frank has a son (deceased), a daughter, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a loving wife, Jo-Ann Bridger who he married in 1989 and with whom he lives in Emmons Heights, and
WHEREAS, over the years, “Diz” has served as a Director for Wilber National Bank, the Oneonta Athletic Corporation, owner of the Yankees and the Tigers, has been a life long member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and donated St. Mary’s School Chapel, sponsored a Little League team for over 25 years, been a long time supporter and contributor to Boy Scouts of America, the Oneonta Police Benevolent Association, the Oneonta County Sheriff’s Association, the Otsego County Red Cross, and   
WHEREAS, “Diz” was elected “Citizen of the Year” by Hartwick College in 1989 and was inducted into the National Bowling Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Brotherhood of Elks, the Sixth Ward Athletic Club, and the Otsego County Boating Association, of which he was an officer, and
WHEREAS, Frank “Diz” LaMonica is a world renowned Grand Master Card Holder of the Greater Oneonta Gin Rummy Association, and an all around good guy.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Richard P. Miller, Jr., on the occasion of Frank “Diz” LaMonica’s 100th birthday, hereby proclaim January 9, 2011, as “Diz” LaMonica Day in Oneonta and request that all members of the community honor, speak out and express to “Diz” their admiration and affection in celebration of the life he continues to lead.