As well as the presidents of our senior clubs, our board members are volunteers and offer their expertise and commitment to the success of our services and activities.
Me MARIA R. BATTAGLIA Ad. E
President of CRAIC. Ms. Battaglia has been a member of the Québec Bar since 1990 and has worked as an accredited mediator in family law since 1992. She is also a broadcaster, having hosted the popular radio show “Family Law with Maria Battaglia” on news talk radio CJAD-AM from 1999 to 2007. In 2000, she taught at the McGill University Faculty of Law. A distinguished member of professional associations and various community organizations, Ms. Battaglia has sat on CRAIC’s Board of Directors for many years, providing invaluable legal support. In 2020, she accepted the position of Vice-President of CRAIC with the unanimous support of the Board of Directors.
FRANCO ROCCHI
Ex-officio President. President of CRAIC from 1997 to 2021, Mr. Rocchi is an Executive in Marketing, at Suzy Shier/ Le Château. His contributions to charitable initiatives and awareness of community issues, in particular those involving seniors, have set a high standard in the organization’s management and in our entire community.
ELIZABETH DAOUST
Vice-President. From 1996 to 2014, Ms. Daoust worked for CRAIC as a project coordinator. She has represented CRAIC at the Montreal Island Seniors’ Roundtable (TCAIM) since it was founded. Ms. Daoust currently works for the Ministry of Public Security of Québec and volunteers with CRAIC. She provides key support thanks to her expertise gained over many years of experience in government projects. She has served on CRAIC’s Board of Directors as an advisor since 2017.
VERA PUCELLA
Treasurer. Ms. Pucella has been a volunteer with CRAIC since 1992 and was President of CRAIC’s Golden Bell choir from 2004 to 2014. She has also participated in CRAIC’s Les Papillons dance troop and has been a part of volunteer groups set up to provide meals for the homeless, organize bazaars and hold many other CRAIC events and initiatives. She sat on the Board of Directors from 2005 to 2011 and rejoined in 2014.
TERESA DI PALMA MELCHIOR
Communications and Development Representative for St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery with over 25 years of experience in supporting bereaved families, Ms. di Palma Melchior has stood out in the community owing to her support for, and engagement with, several charitable organizations. Ms. di Palma Melchior has served on the Board of Directors since 2014. Her extensive experience in organizing events and her attention to detail have been essential to the success of our initiatives.
MARISA CELLI
Ms. Celli has actively participated in Montreal’s Italian-Canadian community for many years. Executive Assistant at an industrial and commercial property management company, Gestion Zircon, since November 2019 and former director of Casa d’Italia (2017 to 2019), Ms. Celli has sat on CRAIC’s Board of Directors since 2018. She has also helped to organize various CRAIC activities for several years.
CATERINA CARLINO
Ms. Carlino has worked for the Carrefours des Jeunes de Montréal for 35 years. In 2013, she became a volunteer with CRAIC, and in 2014, founded the Il Faro de RDP Golden Age Club with the help of the Honourable Marisa Ferretti Barth. Her enthusiasm, eagerness to bring people together and innovative approach to organizing activities for seniors have greatly contributed to the success of her Club’s activities.
RITA ROTA TOLA
For the last seven years, Ms. Rota Tola has actively participated in the Le Margherite d’Oro di LaSalle Golden Age Club committee. Her volunteer work has been vital to the success of many of the Club’s activities and has greatly benefitted members. She joined CRAIC’s Board of Directors in 2014 to further contribute to the achievement of CRAIC’s mission.
MARIA FILLETI
Administrative Secretary. Ms. Filleti joined CRAIC’s team in 1993. Her background in community affairs, knowledge of the organization and expertise in administration and in organizing services for seniors have played an essential role in CRAIC’s development.
ANTONIO DI PRIMIO
Mr. Di Primio has been a member and volunteer of the 2000 Golden Age Club since 1994. He has continuously helped to organize activities for other members and, in 2001, became the Club’s President. In 2004, with more free time available, Mr. Di Primio decided to become more involved in CRAIC’s mission and became a volunteer and member of the Board of Directors. He has provided valuable support through his involvement in transportation services and in the organization of activities.