Nicholas Latino is one of the central figures of the Italian Hoboken Festival. In this interview he reflects on his molfettese roots, his visit to Puglia and the role of the Italian-American community.
Last year he was President of the Italian Festival of Hoboken and remains deeply devoted to Our Lady of Martyrs. What does this tradition represent for you personally and how did it strengthen the link with its Italian roots?
Being president was a huge honor for me and my family. This tradition means faith and hope for all those who believe. It is extraordinary how the Society has managed to keep it alive for many years — even during the Covid we carried out the tradition in some form, even trying to improve it. He made me proud of who I am and the origins of my family.
Although he visited Molfetta once, during Holy Week, that experience marked it deeply. What does it mean for you and what would you like to explore next time you return to Puglia?
Holy Week was beautiful… To hear about it is one thing, but being with my family and friends to live it in person was spectacular. I was happy to see how the crowd respected such a religious event, and the night procession was extraordinary. I would like to spend a week in Molfetta to deepen the roots of my family.
In addition to his commitment to the Company, he also built a solid professional presence with his Toyota dealership in New Jersey. What was the key to this success and how could it reconcile Community work and commitment?
I think my work ethics was transmitted to me when I was young. In addition, my brother-in-law Giovanni Latino has contributed a lot to my success. Respect for people and their needs is what distinguishes me. Involving the community in its activity and making it feel part of it makes everything more rewarding. A simple “thank you” or “How are you today?” can make a difference in someone’s life.
Both in work and in community life seems driven by pride for its origins and a strong sense of mission. What values guide you every day — and what message would you like to convey to the new generations of Italian-Americans?
My goal is to do the right thing and find solutions to help people. Not everyone got the luck I got. Being able to make my customers’ day better in any way possible is important to me. The message I would like to convey to young Italian-Americans is: never forget where you come from, be proud of your roots, remain humble and hand down your knowledge to those who will come after you.
The article “Don’t forget where you come from”: Nicholas Latino and Our Lady of Martyrs in Hoboken comes from IlNewyorkese.
