A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THE BOYS
Saverio and Minnie sent the boys to America so they could have the opportunities that were not available to them in Italy. It must have been heartbreaking for parents to send their children so very far away. The sacrifices they made were so great, but certainly afforded their sons a better life. The following is a brief description of the education and early careers they pursued.
John, Charles and Joe
John was born in London, England, in December 1900 and traveled with his parents to Castelmezzano as an infant. Charles was born 3 years later, in July 1903, and Joseph followed within 17 months, in February 1905.
Charles (age 9) and Joseph (age 7) arrived in the Inited States in 1912 accompanied by their grandmother, Caroline. She had been living with her children in America and had made a trip to Castelmezzano to visit Saverio, Minnie and her grandchildren. It was then that Saverio and Minnie decided that the boys would join their brother, John, in America. So they joined their grandmother when she returned home to the U.S..
After coming to the U.S., the boys attended St. Joseph’s Convent School for Young Boys (1912-12). The school was run by the Sisters of Charity, who were affiliated with St. Elizabeth’s College in New Jersey.
In 1913, John went to Bailey Hall (an elementary school attached to Seton Hall College, South Orange, NJ) and in 1914, Charles and Joseph followed. Charles and Joseph received their high school diplomas, while John completed two years of high school and then attended the Eastman Business School, Poughkeepsie, NY (1916-17). There he completed courses in bookkeeping, stenography and typing.
John’s first job was as an office boy and typist for the Edison Portland Cement Company in 1918. Later that year, he went to work for his Uncle Charles (the doctor) at 270 Park Avenue, as an office boy, typist and timekeeper for the laborers. As he gained experience, he worked for Joe Paterno (1919), whose firm was constructing 884 West End Avenue, New York City. John’s responsibilities included timekeeping, as well as being the Assistant Construction Superintendent. In 1920 that building was completed, and construction began at 710 Riverside Drive, where John held the same position as before. (If you take a ride along Riverside Drive, you can see this apartment building and the initial “JP” inscribed in the facade above the entrance.) In 1921, he worked for another uncle, Michael, as Assistant Superintendent at 110th St. and Riverside Drive and in 1922 at 522 West End Drive. Armino Campagna and Uncle Joe were also involved in this enterprise.
At the age of 19, Charlie began working on construction jobs for his Uncles Joe and John (1922). When construction declined during the depression, he collected rents and did odd jobs for them.
Michael
It was the first day of the new year and the heartwarming cry of a newborn babe signaled a welcome to the New Year of 1909 for Minnie and Saverio. This curly headed tyke came into the world with all the gusto that remained characteristic of his nature. After his older brothers left for the U.S., Michael, at age three, traveled with his parents to England. He and Caroline attended the primary grades in London. They remained there only two years, and in 1914, fear of war drove the family back to Italy. Michael then continued his schooling and completed elementary school (up to 4th Grade) in Castelmezzano. To further his education, he was then sent to boarding schools in Melfi and Salerno for seven years.
At the age of 17 he left his parents’ home for a new life in the United States. He arrived in New York on September 30, 1926 and for a while, lived with his brother and sister-in-law, John and Gladys (at 425 Riverside Drive). Michael writes: “As a young greenhorn, I attended the Berlitz School on 34th Street and then John enrolled me in St. Michael’s boarding school at 241st Street and White Plains Road. I stayed there long enough to improve my English and then started to work at 825 Riverside Drive, the building being built by Uncle Joe (Paterno) – John was in complete charge. After my first paycheck, I got myself a room.”
[Edit: I think Anne meant 825 Fifth Avenue, not Riverside Drive.]
He continued to work on the same job performing several duties. He was a timekeeper and labor foreman and then went on to another job, a ‘co-op’ being constructed by the Paterno Brothers, at 30 Sutton Place. There he was promoted to Assistant Superintendent. While working for his Uncle Joe, Michael took evening courses in architectural drawing and estimating at Columbia University. “On completion of that building (30 Sutton Place), my Uncle Michael decided it was time to apply to a college. So he enrolled me into the Petty Institute in New Jersey, a prep school for Princeton. My English improved, but not quite enough to get me into college. After a year, I passed all the entrance exams, but failed English! Dr. Reese, the English Professor, said I would need at least another year of English….so I quit!”
Michael visited Italy in 1930 and returned in 1931. “Things were really rough – the depression was in full bloom. Uncle Charles (the doctor) gave me an office job, and I attended evening courses at Pace Institute. I studied accounting for two year (and received tremendous help from Mr. Norton the Senior Accountant at the office).”
Michael continued working for his Uncle Charles as an accountant until 1938, with the exception of a period of about a year, when he acted as assistant supervisor at the doctor’s farm in Armonk, NY. At “Windmill Farm” he directed the construction of roads, lakes, barns and quarters for the help.” The farm was transformed into a show place complete with bridal paths, with trees, shrubs and gardens and was, indeed, a beautiful site to see.
A lovely young girl, Louise Trivigno, came into his life and stole his heart. Proving once more that it ‘it’s a small world,’ they discovered that their respective grandmothers were sisters, making them third cousins. This was not a problem and the Church approved of their marriage. Michael and Louise became man and wife on February 23, 1936. In the ensuing years they were blessed with three beautiful children: Robert, Joseph and Mickey.
[Edit: Grandson of Maria Carolina Trivigno (1853-1925) named Michael Jeremiah Paterno (1909-1992) and granddaughter of Maria Luigia Trivigno (1859-1942) named Louise M. Massari (1909-1995) were married making them second cousins and spouses.]