Month: June 2016

June 29, 2016

Send Us to the Democratic National Convention

rosie-the-riveter

We Can Do It!

I am an advocate of women’s civil rights and open, transparent governance in the United States and have been selected as a Pennsylvania PLEO (Public Leader/Elected Official) delegate representing Bernie Sanders at the Democratic National Convention.

As a civil rights activist and an advocate for government transparency and access, I will be looking for and advocating for the following in the platform (which I believe in general both Bernie and Hilary agree with):

  1. Universal health care;
  2. Full Reproductive justice including access to abortions and birth control;
  3. A call for a paper trail on all voter ballots so that we don’t lose voters;
  4. Better access to voting ( same-day voting, mail-in paper ballots, no photo id, etc)
  5. Ending Violence against women;
  6. Non-discrimination in general; and
  7. Living wages and a call for a livable minimum wage tied to something like the Consumer Price Index.

I am trying to raise a minimum of $1,850 through GoFundMe to help two, possibly three of my friends and family participate in the convention with me as much as possible.  This will help defray the costs of both delegates (me) and non-delegates (friends and family) to participate in the convention activities.

It is very expensive to travel to and attend this convention.  The hotel room and food while we are in Philadelphia will cost us $3250.00.  And that doesn’t include the cost of travel from California and Washington and one other state where my activist friends live and work.  When you donate you will help those who are not otherwise able to attend to see democracy at work.

The convention is scheduled for July 24-29, 2016. Your donations through my GoFundMe campaign before this time will help us attend.

We are grateful for any funds you are willing to provide.  Thank you so much in advance.  We all appreciate it.

For government transparency, democracy, and fair treatment of all!

And one more time… Here’s the GoFundMe link.  Please donate and share.  We’d really appreciate it.

Thanks for your support!

https://www.gofundme.com/going2DNCnPhilly

June 20, 2016 Gallery

Louis P. Tosti – My Dad, in Memorium

1923-2016

RIP “Little Iggi” – my nickname for my father when I was growing up and couldn’t pronounce “Luigi.” That was the name I heard my grandparents—”TiTi” and “Mommy T”—call him.  Born in 1923, he passed away late last Tuesday, June 14, 2016.  Here’s a memorial in pictures along with his official obituary.

baby picture of Louis P Tosti

Louis Peter Robert Tosti as an infant in 1923 in The Bronx, New York City

Picture of Louis P. Tosti as a toddler

Louis Peter Robert Tosti as an toddler in  the Bronx, New York City

picture of Mom and Dad at their wedding. Dad on the left. Mom on the right.

Mom and Dad at their wedding reception at Fort Monroe, Hampton, VA on December 29, 1951. Taken in front of the Hotel Chamberlain.

1953

Mom and Dad in the year I was born. Top Left – Martha, Top Right – Lou Bottom Left – Linda, Bottom Right – Joanne

1974

Mom and Dad in 1974

Joannes wedding Mama Ti Dad Mom Titi

My parents and grandparents at my wedding in 1975. L to R: Estherina Sera Pellegrino Tosti (aka Mommy T), Louis Peter Robert Tosti, Martha Magdelene Bowery Tosti, and Antonino Rocco Tosti (aka TiTi)

Lou Tosti October 2, 2011 IMG_9538

Dad at my Mom’s wake, October 2, 2011 in Richmond Virginia

Note: As these are family pictures, please do not copy  the pictures without our permission. You may, however, share this blog in its entirety if you wish.

His Obituary

Louis P. Tosti, 93, a 72 year resident of Yorktown VA passed away on June 14, 2016. The son of the late Antonino Rocco Tosti and Estherina (Pellegrino) Tosti was born in The Bronx, New York in 1923, studied Mechanical Engineering (B.S. 1944) at the City College of New York and [Master of Science] Administration [in Management Engineering] (M.S. 1972) at George Washington [sic] (my records say it was Georgetown) University in Washington, D.C. For 36 years, he worked for NASA at the Langley Research Center as an aeronautical engineer and retired in 1980. During his career, he helped develop advanced VTOL aircraft for the military and was a leader in the Scout Rocket Project, a cornerstone in the history of space exploration.

Following retirement from NASA, he assisted the elderly as a tax counselor, was treasurer of the Ruritan Club, a member of the Peninsula Sales and Marketing Exchange as well as the Hampton Roads Power Squadron. He enjoyed traveling, photography, ballroom and country dancing.

Lou was predeceased by his sisters, Myra T. Antonelli, Adele T. Stephenson and Vivienne T. Monteiro-Olivastro and his former wife Martha B. Tosti. He is survived by his five children Linda G. Tosti-Lane (Dave Tosti-Lane) of Brier, WA, Joanne L. Tosti-Vasey (Joe Vasey) of Bellefonte, PA, Mary J. Harley of Parkersburg, WV, Janet T. Baker (Michael Baker) of Bumpass, VA and Anthony B. Tosti (Andrea Gerwers-Tosti) of Simpsonville, SC; seven grandchildren Joshua Baker (Genie Baker), Genesa Benton (Justin Benton), Katharina Tosti, Raphael Tosti, Sophia Tosti, Julianna Tosti and Kenneth Vasey; four great grandchildren, Jack Baker, Olivia Baker, Gavin Benton and Jacob Benton and his beloved companion of 30 years Grace E. Hale.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Amory Funeral Home, 410 Grafton Drive, Grafton, VA, 23692. The family will receive friends following the service. A graveside service will be held at a later date to be determined at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens, King of Prussia, PA.