Page 6 - Italian-American Herald - February 2025

6 ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM | FEBRUARY 2025 ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
ACHIEVER“Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
—Leonardo da Vinci
D’Alessandro: Uniform maker
founded Delco Abruzzese group
Continued from front page
1965. “Proud with all of my heart.”
He was born in Pescara, Abruzzo, and
trained as a tailor. He and his wife Maria
immigrated to the United States in 1960,
and he started working just four days after
he arrived, the day after Christmas. They and
daughters Anita and Carla all learned English
together.
In 1970, he founded Accent Uniform,
inspired by watching the Pennsylvania
Military College marching in a Chester, Pa.,
parade. He was impressed by their full dress,
striped uniforms.
Accent and its sister firm, a retailer
called ARD Uniform Enterprises, today
employ many people in adjacent facilities
in Eddystone, Pa., a few miles south of
Philadelphia International Airport. There’s
one production shift, five days a week,
creating uniforms out of wool or a wool-
Dacron blend. Accent’s uniforms are
delivered to bases and other facilities, where
they are fitted to each user and customized
with stripes and patches that define ranks,
branches, schools and agencies.
He’s on site every day, always in a white
or light-colored dress shirt and tie. “I have to
keep up the tradition in tailoring,” he said.
Carla is the vice president. Anita is the
manager. Anita’s children are in college, so it’s
too early to say how the enterprise will pass
to a third generation.
Over the decades, as the staff has grown,
it has become to represent a literal melting
pot of different cultures, and D’Alessandro is
ready to assist them all with advice and career
development. “I tried to help people as much
as I can by training them to the next level,”
he said.
The business, the only uniform maker in
greater Philadelphia, succeeds because of its
commitment to quality. “First, you bid on a
job. Then, if you make good uniforms and
make good deliveries and keep your word,
they come back, year after year,” he said. “My
quality doesn’t change one stitch.”
Saying only that he’s older than 70,
D’Alessandro is not thinking of retirement.
“I enjoy this business so much when I see
the people wear the finished product,”
he said. “Like at the Army-Navy game
in Philadelphia, it’s my joy to see all the
overcoats we made.” He favors the closeup
view on TV, from the comfort of his home.
He has always used his business acumen
and connections to promote the Italian
language and culture. “I want other people to
know what we do here to be Italian,” he said.
“And I am the guy pushing in the back” to
get things done.
First, he joined and then led Club Amici
Radio Italiana, which for decades broadcast
a daily show called “Un’Ora Solo Vorrei,”
or “An Hour With You.” Next, he founded
Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco,
which, among other activities, offered
scholarships for those studying Italian. After
that, the Associazione Regionale Abruzzese
founded the Coalition of Italian American
Organizations of Delaware County. CIAO
Delco is probably best known for an annual
festival at Rose Tree Park in Media.
Anthony D’Alessandro started Accent Uniform more than 50 years ago. | PHOTO BY KEN MAMMARELLA
He regularly returned to Italy until 1992,
when his parents passed on. But the rest of
his family loves to visit. “It is such a beautiful
country,” Carla said. “We love to go back to
experience the hospitality of the people and
the culture.”
“If you love your homeland, you will
honor it and do good things for it,” he said.
“Ricordo chi ama L’Italia, La onora. Viva
L’Italia.” IAH
In 1970, he founded Accent Uniform,
inspired by watching the Pennsylvania
Military College marching in
a Chester, Pa., parade.
Nominate an Italian-American Achiever
Do you know someone with a story worth sharing? We're looking for Italian
Americans who are leaders in their fields – entrepreneurs, educators, athletes,
government officials, musicians, nonprofit founders and even hobbyists whose
passion and hard work have led them to accomplish great things. Send us a tip
at ItalianAmericanHerald@todaymediainc.com.
You might see them profiled in a future issue.
Join the Regional Sales & Marketing Team at
D’ANJOLELL
MEMORIAL HOMES AND CREMATORY ROBERT D’ANJOLELL, SR. PRESIDENT
ASTON • BROOMALL • FRAZER
610.356.4200 • DANJOLELL.COM
www.marcheseopticians.com
713 Montgomery Ave
Narberth, PA 19072
610-668-3848
3517 West Chester Pike
Newtown Square, PA 19073
610-356-6781
Part Time, Flexible Hours,
Work from Home, Commission Sales
Veterans, Seniors & College Students Welcome!
Positions available • jobs@todaymediainc.com
South Philadelphia & Suburbs
Delaware from Wilmington to the Beaches
New Jersey from Burlington to Cape May County