A retired executive, William Deyesso most recently served as CEO of Royal Administration Services in Hanover, Massachusetts. An active member of the community, William Deyesso has been a longtime supporter of numerous nonprofit groups and organizations, including the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA).
Founded in 1905 to assist Italian immigrants in the United States, OSIA stands as the oldest and most prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Italian heritage and advocating for over 26 million Americans of Italian descent. Among other programs, OSIA provides scholarships, promotes Italian festivals, and fights discrimination through its Commission on Social Justice. The organization also celebrates famous Italians and Italian-Americans through educational initiatives and museums, such as the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum in Staten Island, New York.
Dedicated to telephone pioneer Antonio Meucci and Italian political hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is housed in Antonio and Ester Meucci’s former home. In addition to being Meucci’s place of residence while he made many of the discoveries that led to telephone communication, the house is notable because Garibaldi stayed there with the Meuccis while he was in America for several years in the 1850s.
After staying with Meucci in the Staten Island home, Garibaldi returned to Italy to lead the reunification efforts that forged modern-day Italy. Meanwhile, Meucci went on to fame as an inventor and early hero to the Italian-American community. After the deaths of Garibaldi and Meucci, the house was donated to the Italian community and the museum was founded in 1956.
