NEW ROCHELLE, NY (November 5, 2010) Iona College today dedicated the Romita Auditorium and Castle Café at the college’s new Ryan Library in honor of Mauro (“Chris”) Romita, Esq. and the Romita family. Mr. Romita is an Iona alum (class of ’61), business leader and benefactor. The Romita family contributed $100,000 to the new facilities.
At the dedication ceremony attended by New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson and other invited guests, Iona College President James A. Liguori, CFC, said: “On behalf of the entire Iona College community who will use these wonderful spaces in the Ryan Library—students, faculty, administrators and guests from our neighboring communities—we extend heartfelt thanks to Chris, his wife, Camille, and other members of the Romita family for their generous gift.”
Mr. Romita received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 from Iona College and, in 1965, a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School. He joined Castle Oil Corporation in 1968. Under his leadership, the company significantly increased its sales and modernized its operational facilities to meet the demanding needs of an expanding business. The company purchased three deep water terminals within a 10-year period and has become the largest independently owned retail distributor of fuel oil and related services in the New York metropolitan area.
In addition to his duties at Castle, Mr. Romita is Chairman of the Board of Governors of Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the InnerCity Scholarship Fund of the Archdiocese of New York and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Boys Towns of Italy, Inc. and a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Joseph’s Seminary.
Mr. Romita is also the recipient of many honors and awards from community and social organizations throughout New York City and Westchester including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the Cardinal’s Award of the Westchester Division of the Cardinal’s Committee of the Laity. He is also a recipient of The Bronx Means Business award from SOBRO (South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation). He is a member of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, American Association, U.S.A. and recently knighted by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the Order of St. Gregory the Great.