By: PR Fueled
“The greatest gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you.” – Kendall Hailey
One of the known personalities of the mid-nineties in the field of entertainment, Vincent Dantona, the beloved paternal uncle of Rich Dantona, the now-famous Italian-American entrepreneur and business owner, is remembered for his multifaceted skills. While many consider entertainment as an easy play, it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Being a stand-up comedian seems to be a far tougher job, as it requires sharp, witty skills, a massive amount of confidence, excellent communication skills, and a whole lot of humor collectively in one person.
Cherry on top, the great legend Vincent Dantona had a firm grasp of it all. The world is witness to the entertaining skills he used to flaunt in his times, which were enough to compel the grumpiest man on earth to roll over the floor laughing hysterically. Unfortunately, the year 2012 saw the demise of Vincent Dantona.
“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” – Khalil Gibran
As devastating as it is to lose talented individuals who contribute joy to the environment, there is a simultaneous appreciation for the emergence of prestigious personalities showcasing their forefather’s skills magnificently. Hence came the arrival of the business maestro, Rich Dantona, who is attributing to society in his own ways. Thus, the Dantona boys prove the brilliance embedded in their genes.
Rich was born on January 20, 1977, in Bayshore, NY, to Brooklyn and Queens natives Laura Jean Murillo and Richard James Dantona. It is true that a person’s family always plays an integral role in the fashioning of a person’s personality; in Dantona’s case as he grew up with his grandma, Dolores J. Murillo, who took care of him from childhood to his teenage years making him the prestigious individual he is. Unfortunately, Dolores passed away on July 9, 1997. Losing his grandmother was very tough for Dantona as she had played a vital role in providing a stable and secure environment for him, and he always credits her for his strong values and ethics.
Dantona also has two half-siblings named Kevin Monahan and Kelly Monahan. From a young age, he showed a strong work ethic by getting involved in various activities such as sales, construction and even trying his hand at acting in New York. He was featured in A Beautiful Mind, directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe.
At the age of 15, Dantona entered the construction industry, working on the renovation and restoration of the Montauk Light House in 1994. In 1997, he formed his own construction business, Academy Mobile Enterprise, Inc., in New York. Identifying opportunities in Florida’s real estate market, he moved to Ft. Myers in 2003, laying the foundation for his ventures. In 2001, his company played a vital role in delivering and installing emergency mobile office space at the World Trade Center site after 9/11. He later expanded into real estate and construction, launching Academy Home Kitchen & Bath, Inc. in 2012, followed by a granite center in 2013. In 2016, he branched out by founding Academy Home Developments, Inc., specializing in speculative and custom homes. His companies earned several awards for contributions to the community and outstanding service.
As President of Academy Home Developments, Dantona led the revamp of over 75 homes after Hurricane Ian, the largest Hurricane in American history, inaugurating his companies as top renovation firms in Lee County and Collier County.
In 2019, he instituted the Florida Warriors Youth Hockey Association, fielding teams and promoting youth sports. The connotation is active in charitable contributions and has a private training package. Dantona’s journey from a construction worker in New York to a Florida entrepreneur displays his determination, business acumen, and commitment to community development. Currently, he has a net worth of $10 million, reflecting his several successful ventures and active revenues.
