Saverio & Minnie (Charles & Minnie) 1898-1969
Saverio worked as a carpenter, but he was restless and wanted to go into business for himself. He went to Philadelphia, where he opened a candy store. Shortly thereafter, he joined the circus and became an expert juggler and tightrope artist. He traveled to South America and finally to England, where he established another candy and ice cream store.
[Editor’s Note explaining Saverio’s departure from Philadelphia.]
It was near the end of the 19th Century when Saverio was living in London, England, that he met Minnie Rose Breden, fell in love, and asked her to marry him. They became engaged, but her parents did not approve, nor did they want their daughter to leave England.
In spite of the Breden’s disapproval, Saverio and Minnie were married and, a year later, were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, John, born December 15, 1900. What a beautiful Christmas gift!
Wither Thou Goest, I Will Go: The Arrival At Castelmezzano (1901)
While John was still an infant, his parents traveled to Castelmezzano, Italy. The town had changed little since Saverio had last lived there. The single fountain still supplied all the water for the town; electricity had not yet been brought up mountain. Many of the houses still had dirt floors and living conditions were primitive. (Saverio thought he would have to do something to improve these conditions some day.) It was a terrible letdown for Minnie. This dear lady left what was then one of the largest cities in the world to live in a tiny and strange community. A petite, pretty, young mother of 20, she was dressed conservatively in what was then the fashion in London and wearing a pretty bonnet. She looked forward to meeting her new in-laws and hoped to be greeted warmly and accepted by the family. She was not prepared for the rude reception she received. The five mile trip on the donkey, with Johnnie in her arms, was an experience she never forgot. On arrival in town, with painful sores where she bounced on the donkey’s back, the weary, young Mrs. Paterno was greeted by an elderly lady who scrutinized her with scorn. Saverio’s grandmother walked over to Minnie, ripped the bonnet from her head and stomped on it, while screaming to Saverio, “Where did you pick up this whore?” Minnie was crushed and Saverio embarrassed, but they had come this far and were determined to stay.
So began their life in Castelmezzano. Saverio worked hard and soon opened a grocery store that fared quite well. He also tutored students in foreign languages. He built a crude house with (financial aid from his brothers) and eventually added two or more stories. Minnie became pregnant again, but lost her first daughter, Caroline #1, in childbirth. A blond-haired bouncing boy, Charles, was born on July 2, 1903 and two years later, on February 13, 1905, Joseph B. arrived. In 1907, Minnie finally had her little girl, and again named her Caroline. This beauty was given to them for only a short time, as she died from typhoid at the age of 8. New Year’s Day of 1909 brought another blessing, with Michael ringing in the New Year with the sweet howls of a newborn babe. Saverio and Minnie’s family kept growing – a girl, Celeste was born in 1911. The children grew strong and healthy in the clear mountain air. At a young age they learned to take on some responsibilities by helping with the chores.
A Brighter Future for the Boys
While his brothers were building their fortunes in America, Saverio was attempting to make a living in Italy. In the early struggling period in Castelmezzano, Saverio started making preliminary plans to improve his boys’ future by sending them to America. And so it was that John came to New York in 1910 with a friend of the family. When Carolina planned a visit to Italy in 1912, Saverio decided to send Charles and Joseph along with their grandmother. A mystery that has never been solved is the fact that there is no record of Charles entering the United States although Joe has had no difficulty in obtaining records or a passport.
Having seen his oldest sons settled in America with an opportunity for a brighter future, Saverio and Minnie took Celeste, Caroline and Michael to London in 1912. While there another girl, Jule, was born in 1913.
Caroline and Michael attended the primary grades in London and had a good distance to walk to and from school. It seems that Michael was a typical frisky little boy with ‘a sparkle in his eye’ who somehow managed to get into mischief. Caroline was afraid of the London Bobbies and if the children encountered one on the way home from school, Michael would run up behind him and pull his coat tails. Caroline would shake with fear and then run home crying, but Michael would be taken to a store and given a piece of candy or licorice. (There must be a moral to this story – perhaps, how to frighten your sister, get into trouble and still get the best end of the deal…!)
The Paternos might have stayed on in England, but the clouds of war were hanging overhead, so the family returned to Italy in 1914.
They moved back into their home in Castelmezzano and took up the life they had left just two years before.
Day to day living was filled with laboring from dawn to dusk, but there were times to lay down your tools and celebrate! During the year, the daily chores and routine toils were cheerfully set aside to join in the celebration of Saint Days. Michael recalls the excitement that mounted as gala Festas were planned. Many festas were held to honor the saints, but the most important were for St. Rocco, patron saint of the town, St. Anthony, the Blessed Mother, and St. Vito. Days before the feast, vendors and peddlers descended upon the town and set up stands in the piazza. There were all sorts of wares and goodies to tempt young and old alike. Traveling musicians arrived about two days before the Festa and were assigned to stay at the homes of affluent families. The Maestro stayed in the Paterno home, a distinguished honor. A planform was erected in front of the church for the band and arrangements made for the feast and the grand procession. The day began with Mass and the procession around the streets of the town. It was led by the priest, whole several men carried the statue of the saint honored for the day. The townspeople participated in the procession, with the children daring to and fro out of the their parents sight (as it was to be most serious, you see). It was great fun – so much to see and all those goodies to eat! The band played throughout the town, taking donations as they went, and ended up in the piazza playing until dark. To the delight of youngsters of all ages, the festivities ended with fireworks, climaxing a wonderful and delightfully exhausting day.
Although some purchases could be made in shops, many tradesmen and artisans came to the home to sell their services. The shoemaker stayed with the Paternos while making shoes for the family. His apprentice came along to run errands, assist and learn. Michael said he felt sorry for the boy for if he made a mistake, as he was quickly knocked on the head at the first wrong move. Mike said he’d never wanted to be a shoemaker because he felt that you really had to have a hard head if you wanted to learn that trade!
Saverio: Top Sergeant, Interpreter, Mayor
When war (World War I) broke out, Saverio was one of the first to serve. Although past 40 years old, he was drafted and given the rank of “Top Sergeant” in the army. Later served as an interpreter for the Austrian prisoners in the Royal Forest of Gallipol (not very far from Castelmezzano). He was assigned a horse and came home often to visit his family. From 1915 to 1923, four more children were born: Anthony, Romeo, George and Marie. Their dinner table must have been quite and exciting place!
Saverio was an avid reader and spent much of his spare time studying. He was a shred individual, self-taught, and was well respected by the community. After the war he was elected Mayor of Castelmezzano – a position he held for many years. He worked diligently and, with the help of wealthy relatives in America, improved living conditions in the town. He fought for city water and electricity and received government aid to improve and pave the roads. He was instrumental in building a new school building with funds supplied by the Campagna and Paterno families. He convinced his brother, Joe, to acquire one of the better homes in town, which was then converted into the Municipal Building.
Ah…..the holidays…!
Christmas in Castelmezzano was primarily a religious holiday. The traditional fish dishes were served on Christmas Eve as it was a day of fast and abstinence. Everyone attended Mass and the story of the Christ-Child was retold for the adults to remember and the children to learn why He came down to this earth.
Minnie was the first one in the town to set up a holly tree with natural red berries and candle lights (a tradition that had come to England from Germany). Gifts were exchanged on the feat of the Epiphany, January 6, and the children anxiously awaited the day. There were gayly wrapped gifts for each, usually fruit and candy, and a few extras for a special friend.
Easter, and the preceding Lenten season, was a special time of the year. The Lenten rites were strictly observed – fast and abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and other certain days, daily Mass for many, Stations of the Cross, and other devotions. On Easter Sunday, Minnie prepared a very special dinner. A picnic outing was traditionally planned for the second Monday after Easter. Everyone would ride out into the country atop donkeys and spend the whole day outdoors. Crusted pies were prepared, filled with grated cheese, eggs and home made sausage. Each had a dough handle, and personalized with individual names. [Anthony Campagna reflects on this homeland tradition carried over to America in his autobiography. Page 130] There were many other delectable goodies to savor, and tummies were delightfully stuffed! To the delight of the children a rope swing was set up on the largest oak tree and they spent hours taking turns to ride high into the sky.
…children will be children…no matter where they are
Castelmezzano had no police force, but when required, would be called from the next town, Pietrapertosa. One man represented some similarity to law authority. Piasanello, was the municipal guard, properly uniformed, and carried an antique rifle – but without ammunition. He was also the official Town Cryer, and although he had many other unimportant duties, considered himself indispensable indeed. His wife was the town’s mid-wife and delivered most of the children in Castelmezzano.
Paisanello took a liking to Michael. One day while the boy was on his way home from school, he was invited into the guard’s house. Paisanello proceeded to instruct the youngster on the procedure of applying handcuffs. They were actually a chain that had to be twisted a certain way around the wrists and then padlocked. After several demonstrations, he asked Michael to try it. The boy was successful, even to snapping the padlock in place. While Piasanello was sitting there, pleased with having been such a good teacher, Mike sneaked out the door, locked it, and left the key on the threshold. The boy intended to tease him ‘for just a little while’ and went off to join his friends in the nearby piazza. They were playing games and having so much fun that the time slipped by and Michael forgot all about his friend behind the locked door.
In the meantime, Saverio (now the Mayor) was homeward bound after his days work. As usual, he carried his walking cane. As he passed the guard’s house, he saw Piasanello in a rage on his balcony, pleading for help. Now Saverio had spotted his son playing in the piazza and sought him out. Mike was oblivious to any danger until he felt his papa’s swinging cane on his back. Then he remembered Piasanello! He ran, scared and crying, to free his prisoner, pleading for forgiveness as he released the handcuffs.
Electricity was brought up the mountain – Castelmezzano would start to modernize. Around 1923, Saverio purchased a Zenith radio, the first one in town, and it was an unforgettable event. Imagine hearing the news or music right in your own home!
During school vacations, Michael and the others enjoyed hunting. The camaraderie of the hunt and the trophies they brought back provided many challenging and rewarding experiences.
Michael says “I am definitely glad I came over (to the US), but I still hold many fond memories of my youth, and Castelmezzano, my native town.”
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As the years went on, the parental home was completely renovated, two floors were added, and modern facilities incorporated into the home. The original retaining walls remained as part of the garden and main entrance. “It was, and still is, the best palace in Castelmezzano.”
Minnie visited the States the first time in 1934. She remained several months and made her headquarters with Charles and Annette (at 425 Riverside Drive). During her stay, all the relatives took turns having her visit with them.
(The family had a photograph taken with Minnie and her children who were living in the States and another was taken of Saverio and those children in Italy. A clever photographer fused the two photos to make it look like one, and the result is a family portrait of Saverio and Minnie’s family in the year 1934.)
Saverio did not return to America even for a visit. He felt that since the incident in Philadelphia, he was still a wanted man in the U.S. It broke his heart to be unable to visit his family here.
From the struggling carpenter to the successful Mayor, Saverio proved to be a unique and great man. In 1950, following a brief illness, he passed on to his just reward.
The following year, Minnie came to America and lived with Michael and Louise in Englewood, NJ. She traveled to Italy to attend Tilde Parrella’s wedding (Celeste’s daughter), stopping in London to visit her relatives. She returned about six months later, and in 1957, moved to Florida with Michael and Louise. She was quite uncomfortable in the heat and decided to return to Italy in 1959. She lived with her daughter, Celeste, in Naples and in 1965, when Michael visited her, Minnie was starting to fade. In early 1969 the family received notices of her poor health and John flew over to be with his mother. Minnie died in his arms on September 30, 1969.
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In 1951, on Michael’s initiative and with Minnie’s consent, all of the children assigned, transferred all rights, title and interest of the estate in Castelmezzano to George. Later, Celeste bought the house from him. Celeste and her family now maintain the parental home and extend the warmth that was inherited from Minnie and Saverio. Members of the family who have visited Castelmezzano in recent years can attest to the grandeur of the structure. No one resides there permanently as it is used as a vacation home for family members residing in Italy.
A pleasant drive from Naples (about 300 miles), Castelmezzao has grown into a lovely picturesque town. The roads are paved and the donkeys have been replaced with many vehicles. It boasts a new hotel as well as a fashionable ski resort that is famous throughout Southern Italy.
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Author’s Not About Minnie:
I remember Grandma as a sweet soft spoken woman who lovingly listened to the chattering of her grandchildren. She was an unassuming lady who had the quiet drive of those who have endured much throughout their lives. She was unable to attend my wedding, but I still cherish the etched crystal fruit bowl she sent as a gift. Grandma was a caring person, and never forgot any of the grandchildren’s birthdays. Each and every one of us received birthday cards for as long as she lived. During the latter years, she sometimes forgot whose birthday was on what date, (so perhaps I would receive a card on Lisa’s birthday) but she always kept it within the same family of brothers and sisters. I wish I had had a chance to know her better, and at her passing, I felt we had indeed lost a great lady.
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