Grace S. Campisi-Maroccia's Obituary
Campisi-Maroccia, Grace S., 90, lifelong Tampa resident, passed away July 15, 2016. When the name Grace S. Campisi-Maroccia comes to mind, one automatically feels great respect. She had natural feminine charm, but was still considered a woman's woman in the true sense of the word. She was an astute business person and an innovator of projects and many worthy causes. She was truly blessed with many fine attributes. The members of the Italian community can be proud to consider her one of their own. Seldom has anyone given so freely and generously of talents and leadership ability as this extraordinary lady. Grace majored in accounting in Chicago. From 1941 through the next 60 years, she had a history of unbelievable progress particularly in the field of construction. She went on to form her own organization, Eastern Continental Construction. In 1974, after re-activating her real estate broker's license she received many awards for outstanding achievement from the Board of Realtors. In 1975 Grace joined Southport Stevedores, Inc. where she was instrumental in bringing the first cargo of mobile homes to the Tampa port for shipment to Saudi Arabia. In 1977 she grasped the opportunity to open a Tampa branch for O'Shea Mechanical, Inc. of Rome, NY. Her rise within the corporation was rapid. She became a corporate officer of EME Modular Division, Inc. in addition to her managerial duties over 70 employees at Electrical Machinery Enterprises, Inc. with an additional 600 field employees. During this period, she served 4 years as a Board member of Adjustment for the City of Tampa and was Vice Chairman from 1986 to 1988. When Grace was the Regional Director of the National Association of Women in Construction, she was instrumental in the implementation of a National Scholarship Fund for furthering the education of women in construction and the Association named her "Woman of the Year". Other boards Grace has served on include" Ybor City Girls Club of America, March of Dimes Tampa Chapter, San Carlos Opera Association. She also served on the board of Directors for the Italian Club of Tampa (L'Unione Italiana) and was involved in the restoration of their historical building. Grace also served as the President of the Italian Club Cemetery. Some of the awards that followed were from the National Foundation of the March of Dimes and the Paolo Pupello Longo Award for her community involvement and leadership in promoting the ethnic culture in keeping alive our great Italian heritage. Grace was recognized as one of the "Women of the Year" by the Italian Club Ladies Auxiliary. Her heart has always gone out to Italians in need, especially immigrants. While a member of Zonta International, she represented the Sons of Italy in America in assisting in the registration and job placement of Italian immigrants. The Italian Flood Relief was another drive Grace undertook. All of these wonderful volunteer feats eventually came to the attention of Mayor William G. Poe. He officially claimed October 30, 1976 as "Grace S. Campisi Day", in this way honoring her and publicly acknowledging her leadership, support and civic service. Literally following in her parents footsteps, Frank P. and Mary Scolaro Setticasi, Grace became a member of La Nuova Sicilia Lodge #1251, O.S.I.A. Since 1941, she had served in several elected offices including 2 years as President. She organized the first Junior Division in Florida, namely, "The Young Italian Americans of America" under the sponsorship of La Nuova Sicilia Lodge. She also had the honor of becoming the first woman elected Grand Venerable (State President) of the 81 year old O.S.I.A. in addition to being the first woman to be awarded the highest award by the Order Sons of Italy in America, the "Dr. Vincent Sellaro Award". During the 1967 to 1974 period, she was National Chairperson for the Birth Defects Project. This led to the adoption and implementation of the project on a National scale at the Supreme Convention in San Francisco. The funds raised exceeded a quarter of a million dollars within 2 years. This laid a solid foundation for the Order in a bi-annual drive that realizes several millions of dollars for birth defects and is currently involved in Alzheimer and Cooley's Anemia. She assisted in the organization of the Sons of Italy Florida Foundation and implemented two perpetual scholarships for the Grand Lodge of Florida. Hoping to bring her father's dream to build a retirement community for Sons of Italy members to fruition, she undertook the project in raising over $75,000.00 for the Grand Lodge of Florida Building Fund. She was named"Woman of the Year" by the Grand Lodge of Florida under the leadership of Grand Venerable John Copuzelo in 1986. She was the co-founder of the Loggia Mona Lisa #2699,O.S.I.A. Grace was truly blessed as she had achieved all the highest goals and personal accomplishments she ever desired. In her case, no one else could have been more deserving. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Frank P. Setticasi and Maria Scolaro Setticasi, brother, Frank Setticasi, Jr., sister, Violet Del Rosal, first husband, Victor Campisi and second husband, Joseph R. Maroccia, who always shared mutual interests as well as service in several Italian organizations. Grace is survived by her sister, Helen Piazza, sister-in-law, Jennie Setticasi, brother-in-law, Richard Del Rosal, nephews, Wayne and Frank Piazza, Richard Del Rosal, Jr., Joseph Del Rosal, Frank Joseph Setticasi, nieces, Diane Estep, Maria Roeder and Jean Wall, sister-in-law, Ida Clemente, brother-in-law, Anthony Ciccarelli (Anna), devoted friend, Sylvia Meyer and many Tampa and Port Charlotte friends in the Grand Lodge of Florida. Pallbearers include: Wayne and Frank Piazza, Richard Del Rosal, Jr., Joseph and Matthew Del Rosal and Frank Setticasi. A Funeral Mass for the repose of Grace's soul will be celebrated at 10 AM on July 21, 2016 at Christ the King Catholic Church. Entombment will follow in the Italian Club Cemetery Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM, Wednesday, July 20, 2016 with recitation of the Catholic Wake Rite and Loggia Mona Lisa Lodge #2699, Sons of Italy in America ritual at 7 PM at Boza & Roel Funeral Home, 4730 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL. In lieu of flowers contributions in Grace's memory may be made to the Italian Club Cemetery, P. O. Box 5054, Tampa, FL 33675. Words of condolence may be sent to www.bozaroel.com.
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