Anthony Campagna [1884-1969] is my second cousin twice removed. He was a cousin of the Paterno family as well as married to Maria S. Paterno [1886-1967]. Anthony’s paternal grandmother Maria Trivigno [1839-1880] and Maria’s mother Carolina Trivigno [1853-1925] were sisters. Read more about the Trivigno women HERE.
Written in 1944. Some data added before printing April 1957.
To Anthony Campagna, With the old affection of a teacher, with deep admiration for his enlightened contribution to the Italian name. Rome, June 28, 1927 – P. Fedele
My reverent thought and profound gratitude go to our illustrious, lamented friend, His Excellency Pietro Fedele – one of my former teachers, history professor at the University of Rome, Minister of Public Education. Urging me to write my biography, he hd generously offered to have it translated, published and distributed in the schools of Italy. May his noble soul rest in peace.
No longer intended for publication, this is now purely a labor of love, prompted by the sole desire to hand the member of our family a record outlining, in major part, the first span of my life – with its early hardships, sad and joyous remembrances.
My wife joins me in dedicating THESE MANIFOLD MEMORIES to OUR GRANDCHILDREN Who have brought us joy beyond measure and Who represent our family’s new dawn
OUR SECOND AND THIRD GENERATIONS
1952 – JOLLY TABLEAU IN MONTREAL, CANADA
From left: Tony, Joe, Joe Jr., Marie, Terry
Susie and John
From left: Jeramy, Johnny, Davey
PREFACE
Reconstructing from the echo of once familiar verses, here is the keynote of my story:
If you could cast away the pain,
The sorrow and the tears,
And just have happy days remain
From all departed years…
If you could simply close your eyes
And recall nothing but the song,
Would you be as human or as wise,
As proud of your part or as strong?
No, be glad to have carried your full load
And stoutly face any future rough road.
Chapter 1 – Page 17: Our Sons’ Enterprises
Chapter 2 – Page 25: Description of Castlemezzano
Chapter 3 – Page 32: Blizzard Night of my Birth
Chapter 4 – Page 34: My Parents
Chapter 5 – Page 39: Private Tuition at the Age of Four
Chapter 6 – Page 41: Public School
Chapter 7 – Page 47: Secondary School at Nine; Squalid residence
Chapter 8 – Page 51: Second Boarding House; Letters to my parents; Christmas turkey refused by Mr. X
Chapter 9 – Page 56: The Years in Potenza
Chapter 10 – Page 59: Summer Vacations; Harvest; Fox ambush
Chapter 11 – Page 63: From Adolescence, assisting my Father; His premonition of early death
Chapter 12 – Page 66: Folklore Sketches
Chapter 13 – Page 70: The Paterno Family
Chapter 14 – Page 76: First Year of Law School
Chapter 15 – Page 80: Highlights of Rome
Chapter 16 – Page 83: Outstanding Law Faculty; Voted youngest freshman; Night excursion to Colosseum
Chapter 17 – Page 89: Visit from Dr. Paterno
Chapter 18 – Page 90: Meeting Guglielmo Marconi
Chapter 19 – Page 93: Faith in Socialism. Trouble Starts
Chapter 20 – Page 95: Italy’s Gray Atmosphere; Kaiser Wilhelm visits Rome
Chapter 21 – Page 97: My Father’s Persecution and Fatal Illness
Chapter 22 – Page 99: Tragic Experience of my Father’s Death
Chapter 23 – Page 106: Accused as a Revolutionist. Absolved by Police Commissioner in Naples. Honored in that City 24 years later
Chapter 24 – Page 110: Eruption of the Vesuvius
Chapter 25 – Page 114: Final Law Exams and Graduation
Chapter 26 – Page 119: My Early Clients
Chapter 27 – Page 123: First Visit from Joe Paterno. Second Visit Decision to go to America
Chapter 28 – Page 128: Departure from my Family; Arrival in New York
Chapter 29 – Page 133: Leaving for Chicago; Bitter Disappointments
Chapter 30 – Page 137: Assuming Direction of Italian Newspaper
Chapter 31 – Page 142: In Search of New Position
Chapter 32 – Page 144: Engaged in American Law Office
Chapter 33 – Page 149: Interview With Element of Underworld
Chapter 34 – Page 154: Short Visit to New York, becomes Permanent
Chapter 35 – Page 158: Starting in Construction Work
Chapter 36 – Page 164: Our Marriage
APPENDIX – Page 177: Remarks on Italian Civilization and Recent Italo-American History
INDEX (showcased below)
