By Cindy Cantrell

Like many of his fellow immigrants at the time from Capestrano, Italy, Sergio Colantonio settled in Newton after moving to the United States in 1978. More than 35 years later, he is continuing to help others retain a strong cultural identity as the new president of the Italian Benevolent Society, Filippo Corsi, based in the city's village of Thompsonville.

Founded on Dec. 16, 1915, the organization recently marked its 100th anniversary offering social and financial support to Italian immigrants. "Young people don't appreciate how difficult it was for the older generation," said Colantonio, who became a US citizen in 1992 and now lives with his family in Medfield. "Today we're in good shape, thanks to the members whose hard work put us in this situation."

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Source: https://www.bostonglobe.com/