San Leone Society

A long-standing social club, Società di M.S. San Leone continues to persevere in our changing modern times. With both a sense of tradition to be celebrated, and change to be embraced, this club of descendants of Longi, Sicily, has more than 200 members spanning across the continent.

The Society, established in 1920 by Longi emigrants that settled in the area once known as Big Italy (an area bordered by Woodland, Orange and Central Avenues) has continued to remain focused on a vision of family and faith.

The Society recently held its 88th annual picnic. How does a group survive over such a long period of time? Well, the secret is to honor your traditions, to celebrate your long time members, and to embrace the future.

The Society was named after San Leone, the Bishop of Catania in the mid- A.D. 700s. The bishop was revered for his perseverance in defending the Christian faith and for his charity towards the poor. Pope Clement VII made him a saint in 1530. In 1851 the townspeople of Longi honored him as their patron saint. In that year, an earthquake created a tremendous landslide that stopped just short of a statue of San Leone in Longi. The townspeople believed that the town survived through his miraculous intervention.

Carrying this sense of faith with them to the New World, descendants of Longi started to arrive in the U.S. in the early 1900s. Men such as Salvatore Ianni, Vincenzo Zingales and others missed their traditions and customs. In 1920, the San Leone Society was established.

Since 1920 the Society has continued to honor its patron saint through twice-annual Masses held in San Leone’s honor at St. Rocco’s Church. Throughout the year, the Society holds potluck dinners, reverse raffles, Christmas parties, and its annual summer picnic. At each event, its members keep the traditions of its club firmly in mind.

A very important function of the Society is directed towards its younger members. At various functions, those members, who will continue to help the Society thrive, are remembered through gift giving and other fun-filled activities. The annual scholarship awards for members are a vital component of the Society’s vision. The first scholarship was awarded in 1992 and the Society has awarded 27 scholarships, totaling over $14,750.

The long-time members provide a connection to the past and service to the present. Angelo Zingales and Leo Zingale have been members for a combined total of 130 years. Both are active in the running of the Society. Angelo recently celebrated his 70th year as a member and is currently vice president. Angelo is also a native of Longi. Leo Zingale has been a member over 60 years and is currently a trustee. He is the Society’s main organizer of events. Both men are thoroughly committed to the Society, and many members view them as role models.

Other family names that have long supported the Society read as a who’s who of Sicilian roots in Cleveland -- Calafiura, Lazzara, Galati, Paterniti, Paternite, Restifo, Russo, Schillero, Sirna, Vitale, Zingale, Zingales, Liotta, to name a few.

Today, led by Society President Katherine Randazzo Cipriano, the Society continues to move forward. Through its website www.sanleonesociety.com the Society has captured some of the essence of the kinship it has by sharing its history and current activities across the country and the globe. Even a connection has been made with a contingent of Longi emigrants who settled in Argentina.

Family and faith. Customs and traditions. Young and old. The San Leone Society.

Want to learn more about the San Leone Society? Contact one of the following officers: President Katherine Randazzo Cipriano at 440-442-8085, Treasurer Paul DeLuca at 440-230-2256 or Recording Secretary Guy Papa at 440-289-9026.