Nicola Cristofaro said he is very happy to be voted “Man of the Year 2025.”  The Italian American Society of Kenilworth recently awarded this honor to the Roselle Park resident who came to America from Italy 39 years ago. “I do like the club, the Italian American community,” he said. “I consider myself Italian but very Americanized.

The club is interesting. Most members are professional people. Mostly Italian American. It’s a nice ambience. We give a lot of stuff away and we participate, and we are very connected to St. Theresa’s Church in Kenilworth.” Cristofaro said he feels he was selected as “Man of the Year” because he’s the kind of person who tries to help everybody. “Most of the time, they ask me for a favor,” he said. “I believe you have to help your friends.”