The Supreme Lodge is saddened to announce the passing of a valued and dedicated OSIA member, Frank J DeSantis, on April 25, 2020. Unable to attend meetings this past year due to COPD and declining heart function he leaves a generous legacy of student scholarships, many Italian cultural and heritage events and the permanent tribute to the Italian American community in Orange County, the Columbus Monument at Bowers Museum among other lasting and magnanimous achievements for the benefit of all interested. His passion for advancement and heritage legacy will be felt far into the future, as he wished! The Supreme Lodge Awarded him the prestigious Guglielmo Marconi Award, OSIA’s highest honor for his decades of commitment and service to OSIA and the Italian community. Bravo Frank!

Greetings Brothers and Sisters, I hope everyone is staying safe during these unprecedented times. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads. The summer is here and usually a time for summer weddings. I thought it would be a nice diversion to talk about Italian Wedding traditions. Did you know that Italian weddings are rarely held on Fridays, as this is viewed as the day evil spirits are created – and this will only bring you bad luck. The preferable day is Sunday – which is considered the luckiest day to marry and signifies fertility and prosperity. In many Italian weddings, both the bride and the groom will do all they can

By now we all have received the notice of the cancellation of our 2020 State Grand Convention in Concord, Ca. It was a difficult but necessary that, the majority of the lodges the decision was made.

Not being able to travel/visit lodges because of the COVID – 19 has given me time to say thank you to the various Lodges on their IL Leone articles and keep everyone informed on what is happening with OSDIA lodges thru the IL Leone issues. In memory of the passing of two “Icon” of the Grand Lodge of California, OSDIA. My sincere condolences to the Simile family on the passing

Sisters and Brothers:

Sitting here writing my article I am thinking that we should all be getting ready for the 84th California Grand Convention. I may be wrong, but I don’t believe we have missed a convention in that many years. I will miss the fraternity but know that when we have our 85th Convention next year it will be a major celebration. Some of us are still out working or working from home.

Some of us wish we were working to get away from the kitchen refrigerator. I know I may have to get a size bigger in my clothes if I don’t find something else to do besides cooking and baking!

Sisters and Brothers:

Staying inside and keeping socially distant is sure hard on those of us that love to hug and stay close. I hope this will soon be a thing of the past and we can go back to living normal lives.

I do not know what normal will be in the future. I will never again take for granted our ability to interact, being able to be close to others, share time in our meetings and activities.

I want to let you know that your Grand Council has