Sebastian Angelico honored with Albert V. Maniscalco Award

​Borough President Vito Fossella honored Sebastian Angelico with the 2022 Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award in recognition of his lifetime of philanthropy during a ceremony in Borough Hall on Monday evening. In 2007, he founded the Emergency Children’s Help Organization (ECHO) to provide financial assistance to children with medical emergencies or whose families are struggling to make ends meet.
To date, ECHO has provided $4.1 million in emergency medical and living expenses, including their inaugural capital project, the ECHO Pediatric Emergency Unit, which opened in 2021 on the Prince’s Bay campus of Staten Island University Hospital.

“There are those that are desperate -- families, often young families -- on their last nickel with no place to go -- and along comes an organization that helps bail them out and give life to their situation,” said Borough President Fossella.

The Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award, established in 1986, honors our ninth Borough President. His tenure from 1955 to 1965 saw the creation of the Greenbelt and the construction of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The Maniscalco Award celebrates civic-minded Staten Islanders who have dedicated their lives in service for the betterment of their community.

Mr. Angelico -- known as Sibby -- had humble beginnings as the son of a baker. He successfully ran his own bakery until the late 1970s when the opportunity came to get involved in the Commodities Industry. After years of trading on various exchanges, he started his own clearing firm which became one of the most successful in the exchange. He is still the President of Savant, USA LTD., which is now a subsidiary of the Stone X Group, Inc.

Once he was successful in the commodities industry, Mr. Angelico continued his lifelong conviction to help others. He was particularly moved by stories he read of children struggling with dangerous illnesses, and out of a drive to help not just one but many children, ECHO was born.

“There are good people who recognize that, when given a lot of gifts, it’s much more rewarding to give back,” said Borough President Fossella. “You bring out the best in Staten Island.”

Mr. Angelico gave credit to his family for ECHO’s success. He and his wife, Florence, have been married for more than 50 years. They are the proud parents of Vincent, Christine and Susan, and the grandparents of seven.

“My family follows the same type of thing,” he said. “I’m receiving this award, but I’m just the guy who founded it. They’re involved in helping people. I am glad that this thing will go on when I’m not here.”

Shortly after receiving the award, Mr. Angelico joined Borough President Fossella in unveiling an engraving of his name on a plaque at the entrance of Borough Hall.

Mr. Angelico’s name joins the 36 individuals and organizations who were previously honored with the Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award for their commitment to community altruism:

​Richard E. Diamond, John L.F. Sipp, Norma D’Arrigo, Allan Weissglass, Martin Stallone, Roger E. Acker, Reverend Robert I. Gannon, Michael F. Manzulli, Michael J. Petrides, Marie G. Martino, Francis H. Powers, Susie-Hyun Sook Beidel, Brian Laline, Reverend Hattie Smith-Davis, Joseph V. Madory, Lou Caravone, Joe Valentin, Nancy Passeri, retired Borough Commander Anthony Marra, Reverend Terry Troia, Senator John J. Marchi, Wendy Pellegrino, Fred Ariemma, Joanne E. Gerenser, Ph.D., Dr. Chitoor S. Govindaraj, Kathryn Krause Rooney, the Siller Family, George and Maria Esposito, the Mannix Family, the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation, William A. Morris Jr., Lois and Richard Nicotra, Dee Vandenburg, Monsignor Peter G. Finn, Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 New York, Diane Arneth, and Dan Singleton.