Page 19 - Italian-American Herald - December 2024

ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
DECEMBER 2024 | ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM 19
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Parents were blueprint for her life as a builder – of big projects, relationships and dreams
Glam mom Carol Tamburino catches a keeper with her grandson Savino, 2023.
Coordinated colors: Carol Tamburino and her daughter Sabrina.
Written by Tanya Tecce
The National Constitution Center, the Eagles
Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), Cira Center, Sysco,
10 Rittenhouse, schools in Philadelphia and Margate, a
race track, casinos and 13 pages of other projects, airports,
condos, hotels and high rises, illuminate the force of nature
that is Carol Tamburino. Her life’s work is mortar to our
region’s foundation and her name dots our skyline shining
through the buildings of which she was an integral part.
Like so many Italian-American immigrants, her
parents started humbly, yet with that incredible work ethic.
Savino (“Sam”) and Mary Biondi Tamburino built their
family in South Philadelphia. His family originally from
Naples, Savino worked three jobs: as an electrician for the
railroad; as a barber; and a renaissance man that could fix
everything. The neighbors knew him as a gentleman they
could count on. Every Sunday he’d quietly collect scraps
to build bikes for the neighborhood children.
The perfect complement for Savino’s reserved presence,
Mary was a dynamo. She too worked three jobs: as the top
sales girl for Zelda’s clothing; the seamstress with hands
of gold; and as the first-ever school crossing guard at 24th
and Wolf police station in Philadelphia. She shepherded
the kids, including little Frankie Avalon, who grew very
fond of the woman he called “Mary the cop.” The children
knew she looked out for them and her amazing feats,
like getting the street closed off so they could play, were
a thrill! Mary was known for cooking the kind of meals
(manicotti by hand and her signature eggplant “meatballs”
among many) that you dream about.
Savino and Mary’s service to community and ceaseless
work ethic carry on (and on!) in their daughter Carol. As a
junior in high school, Carol was handpicked to intern for
Reliance Standard Life while at the same time managing
five lawyers in a law firm. Unstoppable like her mother,
she soon rose to manager where she developed a Whole
Life team, which was unheard of at the time. A first client
was US Air and soon after, she and her 80-person team
were traveling nationwide. She moved on to a millwork
company, and then the casino industry with Atlantic City
and Las Vegas as her territories. She made time for family,
friends, charity and community every step along the way.
She eventually landed at the largest construction company
in the industry at the time, Turner Construction, where
she worked with developers and architects for nearly 17
years. She was director of business development for an
engineering company for over nine years; owned a Sun-
Tan company in Daytona for six, and managed in the
entertainment world as well.
Carol built a network beyond compare with her sense
of adventure and travel, bright humor, relentless energy,
remarkable emotional intelligence and unparalleled people
skills. Carol knows people. I mean really knows, and I
mean so many people. From the CEO to the cashier,
to celebrities, to the valet; she knows their first names,
and not only their kids’ names; but their moms, dads,
grandparents, families and what brightens their day. With
phenomenal recall, she takes the time to ask them about it.
As her daughter Sabrina reminds us, “My Mom was
social media before social media existed!”
Carol built a life, not once but twice. When Sabrina
was just 12 their house burned down. They lost everything
except the clothes on their back, Sabrina’s teddy bear, their
lives, and irrepressible will. Many have asked her to write
a book about her remarkable life experiences including
the time she stopped for a “quick visit” to the SS Norway
on Delaware Avenue to see one of her best friends,
Connie Stevens – not knowing the ship was leaving for
Southampton, London. The hilarity that ensued for
her with no passport, no clothes and just her American
Three generations, from left: Mary Biondi Tamburino, Sabrina and Carol
Tamburino ride in (and win) an Easter parade in Atlantic City, 1985.
Express should have been a movie! Maybe it will someday.
Carrying her parents’ torch of giving back, she’s
been honored for civic leadership countless times, and
spotlighted for her contributions to community by many
including Gov. Ed Rendell, the Invincible Vince Papale,
and Tony LoBianco, to name just a few (we don’t have
enough pages)! Local landmark restaurants, beloved sports
teams like the Eagles, and historic institutions like the
Union League of America have all celebrated her. Her
family, friends and colleagues look to her as a role model.
For me, Carol is the Queen of construction, but a
builder of so much more than just physical things like
wrought iron railings, concrete buildings, and high-rise
hotels.
Carol built a family. “Glam” is so grateful and proud of
her grandson Savino (named after her dad) and is devoted
to him and her daughter Sabrina. Her cup definitely
runneth over in this most important area. There’s more
to share, so she builds incredible teams and extended
family, connecting people. She loves her family and friends
wholeheartedly.
Carol builds on faith and the discipline to give
thanks multiple times a day, reminding me that “God has
your blueprint.”
She is a builder of remembering honey is much sweeter
than vinegar, so be kind – and to “shake it off ” when things
start weighing you down.
Perhaps most of all, Carol is a builder of dreams and
the proof that you can reach them.
Carol Tamburino is a construction
consultant nationwide. She is a Leo, a kind
soul like her father, and an amazing cook
like her mother. You’ll f ind her “Tambo long
hots” on the menu at Philadelphia’s Gran
Cafe l’Aquila.
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