My mother would take us to see Zio Francisco and I was able to see a picture of my grandfather on my mother's side. He wasn't tall, nice belly protruding, wore a vest as well as a jacket and a watch with a chain from one pocket to the other. [ed: His name was Euplio Mottola]
He also opened a restaurant and the paesanis went, ate, and did not pay. A custom that went too far. He shut it down and went back to Italy, to his job as postmaster.
Uncle Mike, who knew him since he came from the same town, spoke very highly of him. He said as postmaster he had to go to another town to pick up the mail and the people would ask him what the price of pasta was in other towns he had to go to. He would say 2 cents a pound and be asked to get one for his town people. When he got to the town he would find that the price had gone up. He would pay it and when he returned, he would take the 2 cents and not the 3. Because he did not want the townspeople to think he was making money off of them.
My grandfather came down from Siena in upper Italy. Which was in the higher economic area. well off. Naples area middle income and further down the boot, poor area and farmers. And not general education.
During the end of WWII, my cousin, Ned, who was in the military intelligence units (police work and arrest and interrogation power) went to visit him. He was in his yard in the garden and saw my cousin and called him by name and went to him and hugged him and lifted him off the ground. Ned was surprised as to his strength. He said he was a wonderful man. Ned was the only grandson he saw. Out of a total of 9. And 10 granddaughters.
My grandfather on my father's side had 13 grandsons and 6 granddaughters and did not see any of them. Including the grandmothers.
Nice story. I like the bit about the countrymen coming to eat and not paying! Those were the days. Have a good one, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteFriends and relatives expected a free ride
DeleteWhat a fascinating post about your father's memory of his grandfather. I enjoyed the story about his cousin Ned visiting him. Too bad your father only got to "meet" him (his grandfather) in a photo.
ReplyDeleteAt least he got to hear the stories about his grandfather.
DeleteSad he didn't get to see his grand-kids.... :(
ReplyDeleteSo many of that generation never saw their children or grandchildren again.
DeleteCJ; it's sad; back in the day, family WANTED to see one another and for various reasons, couldn't and yet in this day and age, too many families purposely DON'T want to see one another and go to all costs; to avoid ~~~~~~
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DeleteI went to a workshop that talked about immigration back during the early years the last century. The thing that made an impression on me was how when people left Europe and came to the US they usually never went back to Europe again. Some didn't like it here and did go back (like 1 set of my great grandparents). My uncle by marriage got to meet his grandparents when he was in WWII, but I can't image how hard that must have been to never see members of your family again. The belief in building a better life must have been very strong. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteIt really wasn't by choice that many of them didn't go back. The Depression hit hard. It was hard enough trying to earn enough to keep your own family going while sending a bit of money back home. Not much left after that for travel.
DeleteYour ancestors are such fascinating personalities.
ReplyDeleteThat was really nice of him to just take 2 cents instead of 3 which he could of in good conscience.
My great-grandfather was a real honest individual.
DeleteIt so sad about not seeing the grand children or the grandmothers!
ReplyDeleteUncle Mike had a great heart! To be that honest, is very special!
Euplio had a great heart. Uncle Mike was his son-in-law. (-:
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