MAHOPAC, N.Y.—The very first Putnam County Columbus Day Parade was held on Sunday, Oct. 8, 1989, right here in Mahopac. The Grand Marshals were Robert Esposito (left center), a deacon at St. John the Evangelist Church, and Carmel Police Department Lieutenant Gregory Amato. Greg was also President of the Carmel Historical Society.
Behind Amato in the photo are his daughter Laura and wife Margery Knapp Amato. In the upper right corner, we can see then-Putnam County Executive Robert Bondi.
Starting the annual Columbus Day Parade and its related festivities was part of the 1980s revitalization of Mahopac’s Italian American Club. Leaders in the club’s rebirth were President Tony Morfea, Guido Boniello, Nino Guastadisegni, and Luigi Cefaloni. The Board of Directors and membership were also heavily involved. This first parade was co-sponsored by the Italian American Club and the Father Mooney Knights of Columbus Council #5743. The parade route started on Route 6 at Mt. Hope Road and ended at Lake Plaza (Dunkin’ Donuts) on Route 6.
Brian Vangor is the Vice President, Town of Carmel Historical Society. This article was prepared with the assistance of the Greg Amato archives.
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