Contraguerro Honored As 2026 Italian American Of The Year
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- As the Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival prepares to kick off this weekend, board members, sponsors, friends and family gathered Wednesday evening at Undo’s West to honor Bob Contraguerro Jr., the festival’s 2026 Italian American of the Year.
Contraguerro, vice president of Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, became only the second father-son duo to receive the honor. His father, Bob Contraguerro Sr., founder of Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, was named Italian American of the Year in 2012.
The only other father-son pair to earn the recognition were Merle Gaudio, honored in 2001, and his son, Robert Gaudio, who received the award in 2014.
“To be included among so many outstanding individuals who have received this award over the years is something I will always cherish. This is an incredible honor because this award represents so much more than individual accomplishments. It recognizes family, community, heritage, and giving back which are values that have been at the heart of our family and have guided me throughout my life,” Contraguerro said.
“This honor becomes even more meaningful because my father, Bob Contraguerro Sr., stood here in 2012 and accepted the same award. Now, to become only the second father and son in the history of this award to both receive it is something I never imagined. Dad taught me that your reputation is worth more than any paycheck, that a handshake still means something, and that if you’re going to do a job, do it right the first time. You always taught me that Saturdays aren’t really days off.”
Contraguerro said that as a child he believed everyone spent weekends cleaning carpets and hauling equipment.
“It wasn’t until I got older that I realized that my friends were actually sleeping in while we were working,” he said. “Looking back now, I’m grateful for every one of those Saturdays because they weren’t just about work; they were about learning responsibility, taking pride in what you do, and understanding that success comes from showing up and doing the job right.”
He also thanked his mother, Jody Contraguerro, for the role she played in the family’s success.
“I’d also like to thank my mom, Jody. While Dad was teaching me how to build a business, Mom was teaching us how to build a family,” he said. “She’s always been a steady presence behind the scenes, the one who kept everything organized, made sure we had what we needed, and somehow managed to hold us all together. She has always been our biggest supporter, our biggest encourager, and the person who celebrated our successes while helping us through the challenges. Mom, thank you for your unconditional love, your countless sacrifices, and always putting our family first. We wouldn’t be where we are without you. Family has always been at the center of everything we do.”
Contraguerro said the Italian Heritage Festival has always been one of the highlights of the year for him and his family.
“Growing up as a kid, I remember going there with my parents, and then as you get a little older you go there and you meet your friends, and you see people that you don’t get to see all year because they come in from other parts of the state and things like that, so the festival just means a lot,” he said.
Festival Chairman Tony Filberto said selecting the annual Italian American of the Year involves extensive discussion among board members.
“There was a lot of input from a lot of our board members. Of course you have to be Italian is the first thing, and then the second thing is what have you done for the community? What have you offered yourself, and what good have you done for the people of the Ohio Valley?” Filberto said.
“And Bob is with Panhandle Cleaning, and there aren’t many organizations that do more for the people of the Ohio Valley than Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration. So it was a difficult selection, but a very easy selection because Bob Contraguerro Jr. is very much worthy of this honor.”
Filberto also encouraged residents to attend the three-day festival, highlighting several additions to this year’s event.
“We have a great festival coming up. We want everybody to come Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We have doubled our number of vendors, we have extended our entertainment, and everything is free,” he said.
“Our kids area will have live characters there Friday and Saturday at 7 o’clock to put on a performance for all the children in the area. And then on Sunday we have a Mass and after that we’ll have a good Italian Sunday dinner with spaghetti and meatballs and everything right after Mass for everybody that’s interested.”
Filberto said this year’s festival offers activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages.