PIA is honored that Cavaliere Pietro (Peter) Maniscalco will be in person to speak at the “Poggioreale and Our Sicilian Heritage” reunion on Saturday, March 22.
Born in Poggioreale, Peter moved at age 11 with his family to Sydney, Australia where he currently resides with his wife Maria.
Throughout the years and as he started his own family and built a successful career, Peter has never forgotten the people and the town of Poggioreale. He will share that passion with us.
Peter is the recipient of numerous honorary titles in Italy and Australia including the title Cavaliere (Italy) and the Order of Australia. Each recognizes his service to the Poggioreale community and people and his charity works for the growing numbers of elderly in Sydney.
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Cavaliere Pietro (Peter) Maniscalco
As the many Poggiorealesi immigrants in Sydney were aging and needed care, Pietro joined the S. Antonio Da Padova Protettore di Poggioreale, Sydney Society in 1985, and was elected President in 1986. This organization raises funds to build, grow and maintain the S. Antonio Da Padova Village Nursing Home for the frail and aging.
Many of you will remember Peter from the first PIA Reunion in 2019 held in Bryan, TX and for his production of the wonderful Poggioreale Olive Oil that we were privileged to sell.
Peter’s development of the Sapori Antichi - Cav. Pietro Maniscalco S.S Olive Oil brand on family lands in Poggioreale was formed in 2017 to help the economy and employment in his native Poggioreale. And, to give us, the descendants of Poggioreale, a way to keep alive our families’ native homeland, with this treasure of Poggioreale.
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A quote from a 2019 interview in the Belice News sums up Peter’s love for his homeland,
“I would have done nothing, of all this that I am confiding to her, if my heart had moved away from my beautiful Poggioreale.” Read the article below.
Read more about the Poggiorealesi who immigrated to Australia and how they formed the Saint Anthony Association on which Pietro Maniscalco has served for many years.
Whether we say Pietro or Peter, this quote from Maya Angelou epitomizes the legacy that he leaves for the people and town of Poggioreale:
