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Front Row Siblings: Mario, Emma, Olga, Joe (Dad)
Spouses standing: Phyllis (wife of Mario),
Jack (husband of Emma), youngest sibling Robert (aka
Bob, Bobby, Chick), his wife, Lena and
Joe's wife, Mary (Ma)
circa mid1970s
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Raffaeluccia was born in Grottaminarda in Italy on August 28, 1894 [ed: 1891] She had two brothers Uncle Vincent and Uncle Luigi, Lucia and Philomena and a sister whom I never heard mentioned.
My mother lived with Uncle Francisco and his family. I imagine that the other sisters also lived with their uncle's family when they came to America.
Lucia was the elder of the sisters and was a wonderful, caring aunt. She had one little problem. If you asked her who was the oldest she would point to her younger sisters. Her husband's name was Thomas and he was a wonderful uncle. Our aunts and uncles were all wonderful even on the in-law side. It was a period where families were very close and so those who were related by marriage or cousins. After WWII this began to slowly go down. The backbone of the nation, the family began to be set aside. MAybe because related families lived close together before WWII as children and cousins moved further apart. In East Boston, I had Aunt Angelina and family, Lucia and family, and Philomena and family.
Philomena married Michael Grifone and they lived two doors down from us.
Aunt Angelina lived on Cottage Street and on Chelsea Street and Saratoga Street. Later she moved to Revere. Grifone moved to Somerville. My married cousins did likewise and so did I. [ed: move out of the old neighborhood and area] This can be seen today. Families are spread out all over the country. Even friends have moved out of a community to another state and this applies to children who either live in another state or are living a good distance from their parents and relations. In years gone by it was unthinkable. In fact, more sons followed their father's trade or profession, etc. Not today. So much for family history.
Another very interesting tale from the notebooks. I like what your dad wrote about the family being the backbone of the nation, so true. Have a great day, hug, valerie
ReplyDeleteDad's idea was backed up by Pope John Paul II (=^,.^=)
Delete“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”
It is really true that families no longer seem to live near each other, but find their own paths. I think that must have happened after WWII, at least from what I have read.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how your father and his generation stayed with their companies and professions their entire lives, while it's not uncommon for professionals to change jobs and even vocations every few years.
It was great to put faces with names your father has talked about in the past.
Opportunities opened up for people after WWII. Dad was able to finish college and law school on the GI Bill. The housing market changed too and young couples were able to afford homes in the suburbs also through GI loans. Times changed and each generation changed with it.
DeleteI think this is what happened to a lot of families after WWII. Like the song lyrics say, "How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen Paree."
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Or when your mentor introduces you to a modern way of living instead of the old-world upbringing you had. Dad was really influenced by Charlie Arnold to the "American" way of living.
DeleteCJ; your dad hit the proverbial nail on the head with his statements about family; togetherness and closeness, be it personal or living. My grand pa lost track of his sister after the war and never heard much about her ever again; sad ...and today it's worse with each new generation; suffice it to say my nephew cares nothing for his dad { divorced } and no amount of talking will change his mind ~~~~ tho I too, am guilty of loosing track of relatives
ReplyDeleteThe loosing track happens to lots. Living a distance away because you can't afford to live in the town/city where your relatives live. And just the demands of trying to cope with your own family. The demands of taking care of elders on top of work and family can be overwhelming especially if you're the only caretaker.
DeleteThat's a great old photo. I remember family photos like that and it's interesting how your relatives don't look exactly like mine but could still pass for mine. Must be the clothes and the hairstyles. :) Once again I enjoyed another installment. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteYour male relatives must have rocked those leisure suits like Dad, Uncle Jack, and Uncle Bob. And let's not forget Uncle Mario. His tie is so wide it could be used as a surfboard.
DeleteI love the photo!! Another great read from your father!
ReplyDeleteI love the photo, too.
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