By Owen Reiter | For the Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — More than 200 guests attended Project Hospitality‘s 2024 Harvest Gala on Tuesday, where four Staten Islanders’ lives of service were honored during an evening focused on giving to those in need.
“The poor will be with us always,” said the Rev. Terry Troia, CEO of Project Hospitality, during the event at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton.
Donald E. Reilly opened the program, acknowledging those who have supported Project Hospitality — which started as a small, church-based food pantry in 1982 — before the program proceeded with honors for the four exceptional award-winners.
Jim Pistilli receives Msgr. Finn Service Above Self Award
Rev. Troia asked Joseph Conte, executive director of the Staten Island Performing Provider System, to introduce the evening’s first honoree, Jim Pistilli, who received the Msgr. Finn Service Above Self Award.
He said in part, “Jim is a citizen’s citizen who has consistently, over his lifetime, given himself in service to others. Jim is a lifelong Staten Islander, a man of vision and integrity—a man of firsts.
“While at Seaview, he opened the first certified adult day help program on Staten Island within Health and Hospitals. The program included a special Alzheimers unit, the first on Staten Island.”
Jim Pistilli said, “I‘m humbled and honored. I feel being a man for others is just something I find totally rewarding and there’s great satisfaction in doing things beyond yourself and family and this has been a pathway most of my life.”
Lorie and Robert Honor receive Catherine (Mac) & Pearse O’Callaghan Memorial Award for Social Justice
Rev. Troia introduced the second honorees of the evening, Lorie and Robert Honor, who received the Catherine (Mac) & Pearse O’Callaghan Memorial Award for Social Justice.
“Lorie and Robert Honor are good neighbors, community activists, servant leaders, who roll up their sleeves to help wherever needed.
“From community cleanups to marches on Washington, from a borough president’s campaign to cooking for hungry families, to creating new models for single-people housing in a very tight housing market, the Honors have expanded the concept of family from nuclear to neighborhood, positively impacting the lives of all those who cross their path or knock on their door,” said Rev. Troia.
Dr. Marion Wilson receives Denis P. Kelleher Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to the People of Staten Island
Tanisha Franks from the United Federation of Teachers introduced the third honoree, Dr. Marion Wilson, who received the Denis P. Kelleher Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to the People of Staten Island.
Wilson has been in education for more than 25 years and has worked as an NYC Department of Education administrator for the past 18 years.
As superintendent from March 2021 to September 2024, she supported the 74 district principals and 12 pre-K centers with instructional leadership, strategic data analysis, adult learning theories, professional development and equity initiatives.
“I never judged whether my kids came from the South Shore, they came from Tottenville, they came from Park Hill or Stapleton, they‘re all my kids, and we expect them to learn when they’re facing poverty, and homelessness, and hunger, and that’s why Project Hospitality every year we made sure that my student leaders came out to support. They have to understand what you are doing, and you have a support and an ally in me,” Wilson said.
Salmon Family receives Richard E. Diamond Memorial Award for Exemplary Commitment to People in Need
Last but by no means least, the Salmon Family received the Richard E. Diamond Memorial Award for Exemplary Commitment to People in Need.
Egon Salmon’s life story is one of profound courage and perseverance. Born in Germany, his childhood was dramatically impacted by the rise of the Nazi regime, forcing his family to flee their homeland.
Settling in Dongan Hills, the Salmon family rebuilt their lives. Egon graduated from New Dorp High School in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning several medals for his service in Africa and Italy.
After the war, Egon opened Salmon Real Estate in 1956, a business that has become a prominent fixture in Staten Island’s real estate market.
His sons, Jon and Henry, later joined the family business. Egon also helped establish the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) on Staten Island and served as president of the Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR).
His dedication to community service extended beyond business. He and his wife, Marie, became longtime supporters of the Wagner College Holocaust Center.
They established the Egon J. Salmon and Family Commemoration of Kristallnacht and the S.S. St. Louis, ensuring that future generations learn from the past.
Marie Salmon, a lifelong Staten Islander, grew up in Port Richmond, where her family owned Schiff’s Furniture, a well-known establishment on Port Richmond Avenue.
Throughout her life, Marie has actively contributed to the Staten Island community. She organized and led events at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Staten Island and Temple Emanuel.
She has also served on the JCC and the Council on Aging Services and Community (CASC) boards, demonstrating her deep commitment to service.
They raised two sons, Henry and Jon, and have been blessed with a growing family that now includes six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.
Lori Weintrob, founding director of the Wagner College Holocaust Center, introduced brothers Henry and Jon Salmon and presented them with their family’s award.
Henry Salmon said, “Our family knew Dick Diamond during his lifetime, and this award is extra special to us because of this friendship.”
Alice B. Diamond, wife of the late Richard E. Diamond, who was the longtime publisher of the Staten Island Advance, along with family members Robert and Aletta Diamond and Advance Executive Editor Brian J. Laline, all smiled with approval.
He added, “Through the years, we’ve worked with Terry Troia, CEO of Project Hospitality and we’ve formed a very nice friendship, and this is just a culmination of us working together with Terry. She does magnificent work for Staten Island, and she is magnificent.”
The evening concluded with Rev. Troia thanking everyone and quoting Jesus: “‘What must I do to have life with God?’ asks the rich man. Jesus responds, ‘Sell all you have and give it to the poor.’ The rich man goes away weeping. There but by for the Grace of God, go any of us.”