Photo by Emma Delk 2023 Italian-American of the year Tom Fato reminiscences with his daughter, Cari Woods, at the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival Kickoff dinner.

WHEELING — Before Italian heritage is celebrated in Wheeling this Friday through Sunday at the 40th Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival, the Italian Festival Board first honored the 2023 Italian-American of the Year, Tom Fato, at the Festival Kickoff dinner Wednesday night.

Chairperson of the 2023 Italian Festival, Anthony Filberto, introduced Fato, emphasizing that there was no single achievement that made Fato the Italian-American of the Year. Instead, as “the most diverse honoree,” according to Filberto, Fato was selected for both his excellence in sports and for his extensive service to his community as a teacher, coach and businessman.

In 2001, Fato was inducted into the West Liberty Hall of Fame for his time as a football and baseball player at the school, during which he earned all-conference honors in both sports from 1965-69.

On top of athletics, Fato spent more than 30 years as an educator and coach in the Ohio Valley. In his retirement, Fato continues with his family business, working with his wife, Ginger Fato, at Straub Automotive.

“We’ve had lawyers, judges, educators, steelworkers and people from many other different walks of life win this award,” said Filberto. “Tom isn’t one of those, he’s many of those.”

President of the 2023 Italian Festival Board, Michelle Fabbro, said the main reason Fato was selected for the award was that “he’s always stayed true to his Italian values.” Fabbro commended Fato for carrying on the traditions he grew up with by making sure his family still practices those traditions today.

“The other reason we chose him is because he’s been very generous to the community,” added Fabbro. “We try to choose someone who has both of those qualities, and Tom fits that perfectly.”

In his speech, Fato reminisced on growing up in an Italian family during the 1940s and 1950s. He recalled his childhood Sunday routine of fasting at Mass in the morning so by dinnertime at his grandma’s house, he had worked up quite the appetite.

“When I walked through her door and already smelled the hot meatballs and sauce with the homemade bread, believe me, the feast was on,” he described.

Fato also reflected on what he calls the “other side” of being Italian, which is all the traditions and superstitions. As a child, he said no matter what house he went to, seeing a crucifix and a statue of the Virgin Mary. He also mentioned “running at the sight” of a wooden spoon because that meant “you were in big trouble.”

While all of Fato’s relatives that passed down these traditions and superstitions to him have passed away, Fato said he knows they are looking down on him in heaven, proud he won the award. He joked that his uncle would be a bit skeptical as Fato admitted he only knew two words in Italian.

“My parents had children in America, and so they made sure we spoke English and strived very hard for the American dream,” explained Fato on his limited Italian skills. “But no matter what, they made sure we held onto our Italian heritage and traditions.”

Italian heritage will continue to be celebrated in Wheeling with the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival commemorating its 40th anniversary this year. At the kickoff dinner, Fabbro was grateful that “all the hard work” was completed for what she believes will be “the best festival ever.” She cited the return of Little Italy as a big reason for what will make the festival “extra special” this year.

“Forty years for any event to continue like this is very special,” said Fabbro. “We’ve lasted so long as a festival because everyone loves Italian food and entertainment, and all Italians stay close to their roots”