CANTON — The Sergi family unveiled a belated Mother's Day gift Monday in memory of their deceased matriarch, Maria S. — a $100,000 pledge in her honor.
SUNY Canton's Early Childhood Teacher Center now will be named for the woman who ran Sergi's Pizza in Canton for many years. Mrs. Sergi died in 2006.
"I'd just like to thank SUNY Canton. What a wonderful, wonderful place for mom to be remembered," said Lisa Sergi Vecchio, bursting into tears. "I don't know how many of you went to the restaurant, but she really was everybody's 'Mama.'"
Along with her brothers Pat, Frank and Michael and her father Sam, Mrs. Vecchio announced the donation in the Cook Hall laboratory.
All four Sergi children attended SUNY Canton.
"It's not only where we went to school, it's also been a big part of the success of our family business and the community we love," Pat Sergi said.
Also in attendance were six Sergi grandchildren, wearing SUNY Canton T-shirts and playing alongside students of the Early Childhood program.
"They are the most loving, fine family. I come from a big family, and I have to say meeting them they felt a little like my own. Except they're Italian and I'm Irish," said Maureen Maiocco, director of the Early Childhood Program. "Love for children and family means so much to them and that's all we do here, is love for children and families."
The $100,000 gift commitment will help purchase equipment and resources for the Early Childhood program, which has about 50 students, Mrs. Maiocco said.
"It just seemed like a natural fit for the Sergis. They are such community members," said Randy B. Sieminski, director of public relations. "Maria was someone that almost everybody in the community knew who she was. This is a nice way to honor her."
A plaque and photo of Mrs. Sergi will be featured in the teacher center "so the children can really understand Maria's story," said college President Joseph L. Kennedy.
The family is also sponsoring the second annual Maria Sergi Walk/Run on July 26 in Canton to meet its pledge.
"This is really just the beginning," Mr. Kennedy said. "We hope to see this relationship continue to grow."
