[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 139 (Friday, August 26, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E880-E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF AMEDIO THOMAS FERDINANDI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CONNIE CONWAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 26, 2022

  Ms. CONWAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Amedio 
Thomas ``Tom'' Ferdinandi. Born in 1930 on Valentine's Day, Tom 
peacefully entered the arms of our Lord on June 23, 2022. He was a 
family man and charismatic leader who helped and supported many members 
of our community.
  In 1945, Tom and his younger brother John moved with their parents, 
John and Natalina (Cicellini) Ferdinandi, to Fresno, where Tom started 
his sophomore year at the newly built San Joaquin Memorial High School. 
There, he first met the love of his life, Anna Laura ``Jane'' Ochinero. 
Jane was a cheerleader at San Joaquin Memorial High School, and Tom was 
a football player. Tom and Jane married shortly after high school and 
welcomed four children into their lives, Laura, Tom, John, and David. 
Tom and Jane would go on to celebrate 72 years of marriage, sharing 
true love for each other and for their family.
  Over 60 years ago, Tom, with his partner and high school friend Jim 
DeMera, were selling pizzas from Me-n-Ed's original location in Fresno, 
as well as from locations in Hanford and in Orange County. They grew 
the pizzerias from the original three locations to over twenty 
restaurants by the mid-1980s. Headquartered in Fresno and still family 
operated, the company now owns, operates and franchises over 60 
restaurants under the Me-n-Ed's, Piazza del Pane, and Blast & Brew 
brands, and is one of the top 50 U.S. pizza chains. The company has 
been honored with community service and philanthropy awards for its 
many contributions to schools, churches, hospitals, and other Central 
Valley non-profits.
  Tom was an avid supporter of numerous community organizations and 
institutions, including the Fresno State Bulldogs, San Joaquin Memorial 
High School, Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Saint Agnes 
Hospital, the Serra Club, Catholic Charities, the Catholic Diocese of 
Fresno and the Poverello House. He was also a member of the Young Men's 
Institute and the Italian Catholic Federation, a president of the Serra 
Club, and a board member of Catholic Charities.
  He is survived by his loving wife Jane Ochinero Ferdinandi; their 
children and spouses, John and Laura Mahoney, Tom Jr. and Karen 
Ferdinandi, John and Christine Ferdinandi, and David and Wendy 
Ferdinandi; and their twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren 
and many nieces and nephews.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Amedio Thomas ``Tom'' Ferdinandi. His service and contributions to the 
San Joaquin Valley will long be remembered.

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