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08/31/2016 08:30 AMThis November, Adele and Joe Sicignano will celebrate their golden anniversary. The couple celebrated 50 years of marriage early with a 10-day cruise in Canada with their children and grandchildren.
“We needed that little vacation and a good break before everybody gets back to their workloads,” says Joe. “It was a good trip. Everything has been going really nice for us this year.”
There was even more reason for good cheer in 2016 as Adele and Joe found out that the East Haven Merit Award Committee named them as 2016 Merit Award honorees, along Linda Hennessey and George Papuga. They will receive their awards at the annual banquet held on Thursday, Sept. 8 kicking off the Fall Festival, which runs Sept. 9 to 11. The Merit Awards recognize East Haven residents who have made contributions for the betterment of the town.
“I’m in a complete state of shock and speechless over it,” says Adele. “We’ve been volunteering for years, but there’s a lot of people who volunteer. We’re very proud to be recognized. It feels great and it’s an honor. I could just cry.”
Being active in the community for many years has helped Adele form many relationships in East Haven, where she and Joe have lived for the past 45 years. Ever since the announcement of the couple receiving the Merit Award, they have received well wishes and congratulations from many of the people they have volunteered with over the years.
When their children were young, Adele became involved in the many activities her children participated in. She not only volunteered at their school when they were little, but also with Boy Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts, as well as their sports, which included Little League and Biddy Basketball.
Now that their two daughters are grown, both Adele and Joe continue to volunteer in a classroom, helping in ways like reading to students.
Both their daughters are teachers, teaching 3rd and 6th grade at East Haven Academy. Their son works as a carpenter in the maintenance department of a hospital.
The Sicignano family has been parishioners of St. Clare’s Church in East Haven for more than 20 years with both Joe and Adele volunteering in a number of capacities. In the past, both have served as catechism teachers. In 2013, the couple was recognized for their volunteer work when the archdiocese awarded them the St. Anthony’s Medal, which is “an honor I can’t get over,” according to Adele.
Adele is on many of the church’s fundraising committees and has been a member of the Ladies Guild for 15 years. Over the years, she has been both the president and the vice president of the group.
“We have a lot of fun and every month we do a different activity,” says Adele. “We do fun things, as well as fundraisers. We also do things for the homebound, the poor, and the shelters, as well as the Giving Tree at Christmas. There are a lot of needy people you don’t realize around. It’s refreshing to give back, to always give, and it’s fun. There is a whole group of giving women and men behind us. The whole parish has been 100 percent behind these fundraisers.”
Joe, who is the president of the Church Council, is one of the founders of the annual carnival, which is now in its 12th year. Joe’s volunteer work extends beyond the church as he is a founding member of the local Jaycees. He is also a fourth-degree member of the New Haven Council of the Knights of Columbus.
The couple spends time volunteering together with Adele helping Joe in his efforts with the Knights of Columbus and Joe helping Adele when she is working with the Ladies Guild. They noted that working together over the years has helped strengthen their five-decade long marriage.
“I can’t believe the time that has gone by—I don’t believe we’ve been married 50 years,” says Adele. “My husband never says ‘No’ when I ask him for help and if he needs help with his fundraisers, I say ‘Yes.’ We really support each other no matter how much work it is and we have fun doing it.”
When they are not spending their time volunteering, Adele and Joe enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren—two in college and one in high school. They also enjoy traveling, taking bus trips, and bowling. No matter what they are doing, both Adele and Joe try to keep a focus on their good fortunes.
“There are ups and downs in life, but this has been a very good year,” says Joe. “We are very fortunate with the things we have. It may not be much, but it’s more than so many people so we give back and you just hope you do good.”
For tickets to the Thursday, Sept. 8 Merit Award Dinner, contact Mayor Maturo’s office at 203-468-3205 or eh.gentilesco@att.net.