Anthony DeRiggi; Contractor Promoted Italian American Culture

Anthony DeRiggi, 79, contractor and educator who promoted Italian American culture. Born to Neopolitan immigrants in Pittsburgh, he was educated at the University of Naples, Duquesne University and USC. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a translator for Italian prisoners of war. In the 1950s, DeRiggi built custom homes in the Hollywood Hills and began teaching social studies at Hollywood High School, where he was president of the faculty association. He later taught Italian at Pierce College and Los Angeles Community College. DeRiggi served as president and board chairman of the Patrons of Italian Culture and president of the Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California. He also served on the Los Angeles County Grand Jury, the Italian Heritage Foundation and the Garibaldina Society. DeRiggi directed the county’s Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Festival in 1992. On May 10 in Los Angeles.