She left a beautiful memory

Another excerpt from Aunt Rose Jozwicki's journal:

Six months later I lost my dear mother on May 20 1942 (your great grandmother Catherine Contenta Messa).  She left a beautiful memory.  But a loss that I will never forget.  I was miserable and unhappy for a whole year.  I had fear of being left alone in my own home.  I was almost over the pain of mother's death when my brother Louie got a heart disease which was incurable.  It was an infection of the heart valve.  It was called subacute bacterial endocarditis.  The doctor gave him six months to live.  In six months almost to the day, he was gone.  We cried for him so much during those awful months.  By the end of his death he was all but skin and bones.  

He was only 31 years old and had everything to live for.  A good home, a big car, and a good salary.  I was there when the end came July 24 1943.  For many a sleepless hour I have spent since his death thinking of him and those big eyes; the way he looked at mea, as if he wanted help, but we could not do a thing.  His wife did everything in the world that she sould have done for him.  Sulfa drugs and other treatments had failed.  

Tom Lessie and Louis Messa (not sure which is which but I like to think that Louis is on the right with the snappy fedora style hat)

The war was still on, and everyone was very discouraged, most of all the boys of our neighborhood who were gone to fight for their country.

My husband (Walter)  was lucky.  By now he was 37 years old, so they were taking men up to 38.  By the time he was called to the draft board, and his job was essential.  He just missed being called.  We at the home front did everything in our power to help win this terrible dreadful way, by buying war bonds, saving paper, fat tin cans, and by working hard.

In the meantime, my brother Pete was keeping steady company with a firl named Sally Restivo (she was a graduate nurse).  Pete was not in service for he was a diabetic.

On September 19 1943, Pete was married at Saint Rita's church and had a little recption in Sally's mother's house.

 I thought you might enjoy seeing these familiar family names even if some of the history is rather sad.  But these are beautiful memories regardless.
 

Thanksgiving Wishes

Happy Thanksgiving to all far and wide!  How exciting for Linda and Scott to be with Drew in Europe for the holiday!  I hope you all have a wonderful day.  Amy and Ryan are home so we'll be having our feast here.  I made a crucial error in the purchase of our new dining set which is pub-style so the table and chairs are a little higher than the other table and chairs.  The mistake was not thinking about extra company for Thanksgiving and how the "short" chairs aren't going to do the trick which is what I usually would use.  Hmmm..... someone will be chair-shorted unless I figure something out.  Could be an adventure.

The adventure I'd really like to have for Thanksgiving dinner would be to gather up some of the souls I consider "lost" in your family tree and sit them down to a nice dinner and chat.  Your great grandfather John Coffarelli is one of those lost souls to me.  I do not know even when he died yet, never mind his immigration story! 

I'm very curious about your grand uncle Phillip Coffarelli too.  I have some of the background for his siblings filled in, but he's a little bit lost to me right now.  His sister, Margaret DiSabto is another one whose story I would like to fill in more completely.  I am making progress with her but am not yet satisfied. 

To switch around a bit, your grand uncle Peter Manzelli is another such lost soul in my family research.  I haven't yet found "that Nervo girl" your Aunt Mary talked about though I do think I've located his first family.  I would like more details to help complete the picture I have of him too.

Wouldn't it be grand to scoop them all up and sit them down for a big family dinner along with all the other loved ones we've lost along the way?  These are the kinds of dreams the family genealogist has.

What would they think of this?

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless.

Anybody have a turkey?

I don't know if I'm the only one who suddenly came to the realization that Thanksgiving is coming right up.  I thought I had another week but a well-timed calendar check proved me wrong.  While it was delightful to consider we'd have two short weeks in a row at school, it was panic time for preparations. 

I plan to host Thanksgiving this year and had done NOTHING to get ready so off to the grocery store I went on Saturday November 10 (the reason for giving the date should become clear soon).  Since both Ryan and Amy will be home, I was also focused on stocking up the cupboards with their favorites so this was going to be one full grocery cart.  I wandered the store filling the basket and looking for the star of the show  Turkey.  I buy frozen and expected there to be a pretty good selection available except I couldn't find them.  The basket is full to overflowing and I still haven't put the turkey in there.  So, I asked and was directed.  I actually had to ask twice because I was still not finding the turkeys.  Feeling a fool, I approached a clerk at a freezer door and noticed "ah ha! turkeys!".  The clerk stopped me in my track saying "You don't want those--they're breasts."  True.  "Go to the meat room, they are unloading those turkeys off the truck right now." 

Meat room?  I was feeling extraordinarily thick headed by now and couldn't process "meat room" and reluctantly asked.  She meant the meat counter so over I go and ask.  Again.  "Those turkeys won't be here until tomorrow."  There are no other turkeys.

Why does everyone keep saying "those turkeys?"  And why are there no turkeys in this store on a Saturday 12 days before Thanksgiving?  I just cannot believe I'm in the store to do the Thanksgiving shopping and there are no turkeys to be had.  And not because there was a run on turkeys, but because "those turkeys" aren't available until tomorrow (Sunday).  I just want a turkey.  Please and thank you.

Turns out there was some kind of free turkey promotion whereby they would be made available to qualifying customers starting on Sunday.  But not Saturday if you just want a freakin' turkey.  The check out clerk asked if I found everything I needed.  Poor girl.  She was just doing her job.

Back to the store on Sunday.  Saturday's purchase was large enough to make me one of the qualifying customers.  Whoo hoo.  I don't really care.  Just let me have a turkey.  I grab a turkey out of the freezer chest guarded by the guy from the meat room and head to the check out. You can imagine where this is going by the tone of the story.

A helpful cashier pulled us out of line to offer to check us out on the self-serve line.  Whereby it promptly becomes the opposite of self-serve.  There were a number of scanning errors (I was glad to see even the cashiers have trouble with those things) that slowed up the whole process.  I was so close to getting Turkey to the car.  We could both see the door.  I wanted to grab and run but I restrained myself.  Well, James did the restraining, but anyhow..........My turkey was not one of "those turkeys", did I want to go back and get the right turkey?  No thank you very much.  Just let us out of here with Turkey please I beg you.

This brings to mind one Thanksgiving past where I unintentionally ended up with 3 turkeys from this same chain due to the same promotion.  And this year nearly zero turkeys.  I guess there really is great balance in the universe.  Unless you want a turkey 12 days before Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving 1997

Better luck with turkeys to you all.

We spent the weekend in Gloucester happily hugging babies, sucking sea air and generally relaxing.  While I realize that not everyone in the Dalpiaz clan was able to have such a comfortable weekend, I hope it's OK to describe it a bit.  Perhaps it will serve as a little distraction from all the storm related devastation.  We eagerly sought out water while so many others have just had ENOUGH of it and we feel very fortunate in so many ways.

We took a guided tour to Dogtown-- an area of Gloucester that used to serve as the town hub.  It was mostly populated by fishermen's widows and their dogs.  These early settlers didn't want to be close to the water as there wasn't enough protection from the weather so this was WAY up in the woods.  It is a large area criss-crossed with trails and paths (s they say--you couldn't really determine a path) and littered with huge granite boulders.  Some of these boulders have been engraved with words of encouragement and hope.  Apparently a local philanthropist paid out of work men to do this carving during the Depression years.  They have aged amazingly well and are inspiring.

You'd have to sit on top of this monster boulder to carve these letters!

We also visited a local estate which adjoins a large expanse of beach.  We weren't there alone on this past Sunday morning!

And, PS--we also saw seals in the harbor waters.  It was a very nature filled weekend. Another stop was at an orchard for an apple and wine fest.  Look what we found here (this is for Nick):

My aunt and uncle allowed me to bring back the Ryan family Bible (whoo-hoo) which will keep me out of trouble for several days.  We also found some cool family history materials in an antique store (also a first for Gloucester!). 

We returned fulfilled and eager for our next visit.  Now we can say that Sandy is over AND SO IS THE POLITICAL SEASON. 

Happy Halloween 2012 and backwards

Seems a little strange saying "Happy Halloween" when everyone is getting their feet back under them following Sandy.  Odd that these late October storms seem to have become more commonplace.  You might recall that Ryan was born in the midst of the Perfect Storm in 1991 --I was blissfully unaware at the time, but you can't seem to escape the weather news today.

James remembers putting together "home-made" costumes when you all were little--the same for us.  Our poor mothers and fathers having to help create so many costumes!  Very very rarely did we get a store made costume although we'd get a face mask once in a while.  I can still remember the smell of those new masks.

Halloween has certainly changed over the years to become a media event.  OK by me because I enjoy the hoopla and the villianry.  We had no school today due to the storm and it really messed up my wardrobe plans for the week!  I plan these things out very carefully so I can wear all my regalia.  Now I'm short a day, but I'll take the day off.  Much more relaxing.  Talking about a Perfect Storm--if you're teaching this week it's as close as you can come.  Full moon, Halloween and sugared up kids, impending storm and (for us) field trips.  It was destined to be a week to try the patience of Job.  But now it's a day shorter.

I thought you might enjoy a little trip down memory lane in honor of Halloween:

I'm assuming this is Halloween but it's a costume 

regardless--what a sweet angel!

The last picture I took quickly before leaving for the hospital to give birth to Ryan.  My grandmother made her cape for her Fairy Godmother costume.

And, with this, we'll fly off into the night and wish you all a Happy Halloween.  PS Happy 21st Ryan!

Facebook, Schmapebook

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I found my grandfather Francis Flynn on Facebook recently.  Really!  As I've mentioned one zillion times, occasionally I surf the internet somewhat aimlessly looking for family surnames or events.  I did so recently with my grandfather's name and there he was, right there on Facebook for everyone to find.  Can you imagine? 

This got me thinking about what he would have thought of such a thing.  Facebook, social networking and seeing himself land there would probably be things about which he would shake his head ruefully.  "Social networking?  That's no big deal---we've been networking since the cave man."  Oh yeah? Well, actually....yes they have.

James tells me your family did not have a party line on the phone, but we did when I was young.  Now THAT'S a "social network" where all kinds of news got shared while others kind of lurked in the background soaking it up.  Another tool used by your ancestors was likely the local newspaper.  Articles and headlines appeared in those days that you would never, ever see today (that's if you ever actually have a newspaper in your hand anymore).  I found some interesting tidbits that I imagine kept the networking wires abuzz at your family's Sunday dinners back in the day.

 This one's a little hard to read, but your great grandfather Giuseppe (Joseph) Manzelli apparently inherited a fair amount of money from his brother--$7500 for Giuseppe and Pasquale!  You don't see these kinds of things in the paper today. Brooklyn Daily Star April 6 1928.

 You should take a look at this one which talks about your grandmother Marguerite Manzelli performing at St. Rita's --all the way at the end it mentions she had a solo.  Also included in this production was her brother Albert as well as Amelia (I'm thinking this might be Emily?).  Take note near the top of the article where it says "A large attendance is expected, notwithstanding that today Ravenswood is practically cut off from trolley communication with the outside world because of the snow blockade."  This is from Mon Feb 16 1920 when Marguerite was just shy of her 22nd birthday.

 From the Long Island Star Journal we have a picture of Andrew Manzelli March 4 1940 all decked out in "Western Regalia for Minstrel".  This would be something else our families had in common as my dad was a regular at the minstrel shows (usually in a dress singing Barbra Streisand, but that's another tale for another day)

This one begs for the rest of the story since there surely is more to tell.  I believe this to be your great uncle Peter.  Hmmmm.  The Gangster Squad??

I'm now quite certain that Facebook currently exists because this stuff no longer does.  But, it's great on birthdays--thank you for all the birthday wishes today!  I love my birthday on Facebook!!

Treasures from a Cousin

Doesn't this look very familiar?  This little treasure that found its way to me via one of your Isoldi cousins that I've become acquainted with online (I'm going to call them e-cousins).  Michael Russo and I have been in touch to discuss the Isoldis.  Your great grandmother "Jenny" was an Isoldi before she married Giuseppe (Joe) Manzelli. 

Grandmother Jenny had 2 brothers (Ralph and Michael) and 1 sister (Amelia).  Amelia married Eugene Russo in 1906 and their grandson Michael has been very generous in sharing photos and information.

I think I've already posted their wedding picture but here you go again for the sake of comparision and a memory jog.

The first picture above is from Amelia and Eugene's 40th wedding anniversary celebration in a shed attached to the house.  It looks so much like your family's pictures that I just smile when I see it.  Some of the attendees are identified: "Attached shed to Eugene- Amelia's house on 43rd St in Astoria L-R: Antoinette Russo (Marino) Louie Dino (family or friend of), Francis Isoldi's wife Alice Isoldi?, 2 women and baby boy - unknown, Celia Russo (tall woman in back), Eugene Russo, Amelia Russo (Isoldi), Anthony Russo, Giovanna Manzelli (Isoldi), Unknown (Manzelli?) Ralph Isoldi, Sarah Isoldi, wife or Ralphie Isoldi, and Ralphie Isoldi, Couple sitting on floor unknown"

James thought perhaps the guy in the foreground might be Uncle Peter, but that doesn't seem like the right combination given this event--what do you think?  Do you know who the woman next to your great grandmother is?  Their 40th anniversary would have fallen in 1946.  This woman does bear resemblance to Grandmother Jenny, don't you agree?  

Anyhow, I thought this was a lot of fun though it makes me miss taking the time to delve into my research.  Here's another I thought the car lovers in the family would enjoy.  The oldest man in the picture in your great grandfather Joe Manzelli.  The other men are Russo family members. It's labeled 1928 Astoria Park.

Gotta love how they are decked out and posed in this picture!