Peter LoJacono has spent his lifetime promoting Italian heritage and culture in Western New York. He was honored Sunday night at Classics V Banquet Center by his fellow Italian Americans as their “2024 Person of the Year.” Peter is president of the Federation of Italian-American Societies of Western New York, which supports the work of more than two dozen local clubs and associations.

The federation hosted its 116th Annual Italian Heritage Gala, where he was honored. Close to 300 guests paid tribute to the educator who recently retired after 36 years of teaching Italian and Spanish to students at Hutch-Tech High School in Buffalo.