Author: Carla

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Charles & Minnie Marry with Black Cat as Witness

Black Cat Witnessed A Romantic Marriage • Mrs. Paterno is Sure “George Dewey’s” Presence Will Bring Her Luck • He Purred His Best Wishes • Marriage at Babylon, in Magistrate’s Library, Sequel to a Sunday Auto Trip From Manhattan

(Special to the Eagle.)

Babylon, Long Island, December 24, 1906 – The log fire in the library of Justice James B. Cooper* blazed cheerily last night, and the squire’s pet cat, George Dewey, black as a coal and a very wise feline, sat purring and winking in front of the fire. When the telephone bell rang in the adjoining room Dewey winked harder and purred more loudly, indicating that he knew something out of the ordinary was about to happen.

And there was, for the operator at central, when she rang up 127A, was really ringing a wedding bell, although she was unaware of the fact.

The message that came over the wire was from Dr. Charles V. Paterno, of 582 West One Hundred and Eighty-third street, Manhattan, who was at the Flagstaff Inn, a West Babylon hostelry, and who announced his desire to be married.

582 West 183rd Street (now Rafael A Estevez Way) today • Google maps • Here Charles lived with his widowed mother and many siblings.

The magistrate is not in quite his usual health and was not anxious to perform the ceremony; but finally consented to do so, as the bridegroom-to-be seemed unwilling to defer his happiness.

Fifteen minutes later Paterno, accompanied by the bride-elect, Miss Minnie M. Middaugh of Porterville, N.Y., and by Robert Minor [butler of the Flagstaff Inn], arrived, and, the necessary introductions having been made and a second witness procured in the person of the squire’s son and namesake, the ceremony was performed.

Minnie Minton Middaugh
Dr. Charles Vincent Paterno

George Dewey also witnessed the marriage, but did not have a speaking part, unless his jubilant purr may be described as speech. Perhaps it served as a wedding march.

The bride wore a gown of blue cloth, with a fetching fur toque, and was not in the least nervous. While the certificate was being filed, Mrs. Paterno held George Dewey on her lap and stroked his black coat and told him what a fine cat he was, and how she was sure his presence at her wedding would bring her luck.

It seems that Dr. Paterno and Miss Middaugh came out from Manhattan in an auto and stopped at the Flagstaff Inn for dinner. Not caring to face the cold wind in the long ride back to town, they decided to remain for the night.

As they were sweethearts and intended to marry soon, the idea of being married then suggested itself and the justice was telephone for. Why the young couple decided to be married by a magistrate and not by a clergyman they did not state. There may have been a difference in their religious beliefs, or they may have been unaware of the fact that there are half a dozen clergymen in the place. Anyway, they chose the civil ceremony and were duly and regularly married.

Dr. Paterno gave his age as 35 years. He is a native of Central Italy, but has lived most of his life in America and speaks English without a trace of accent.

After the ceremony the party returned to the Inn, where a wedding supper was served. They will remain here several days.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle • 24 December 1906

*

New York Times 31 May 1940

The Sun tells a slightly different story:

The sun. [volume], December 25, 1906, Image 1 • Minnie was actually 10 years older than Charles.
New York State Marriage Index 1906
New York State Marriage Index 1906
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Joseph Cappiello’s 80th Birthday & Carr 40th Anniversary Video

14 February 1992 8:06PM

Location: The Hollywood Restaurant in Auburn, New York

[Cappiello Family Tree]

0:02 Joseph “Joe” Cappiello in cream sweater, grandson Michael Dutilly on his right, wife Margit Cappiello on his left.

0:16 Mary “Mame” Cappiello (Joe’s sister) in black with pearls and glasses.

0:31 Terry Cappiello and Joe “Butch” Cappiello (Joe’s youngest son) in glasses talking to Norma Cappiello Carr (Joe’s sister).

0:36 Norma is sitting next to her husband Wayne Carr.

0:39 To the right of Wayne are his grandchildren Josh Carr (red hat), Bjorn Nelson (red sweater), Hans Nelson (black print sweater), Taylor Carr (blue print sweater).

0:45 In cream sweater is Michelle Welsh Carr and to her right is daughter Nikki Carr at end of table.

0:48 Across from Nikki is Joe Carr and on his right is Lisa Sisk Carr. On her right is Wayne Carr and on his right is Kathy McAreavey Carr.

1:42 Trudy Wolfram Cappiello with David Cappiello on her left. On David’s left is Chrissy Carr Keeter, Jim Keeter, and Debbie Carr Nelson.

2:27 Joe “Butch” Cappiello makes toast to grandparents Gilda Signorelli and Salvatore Cappiello and then father Joe Cappiello on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

3:51 Son David Cappiello makes toast and introduces new family members (by marriage) and acknowledges his father Joe Cappiello.

5:17 Joe Cappiello stands to thank everyone for coming to celebrate his birthday.

8:23 John Carr (in black) speaking with David Cappiello (in red).

26:58 Debbie Carr Nelson asks her uncle Joe Cappiello his birthdate to which he replies February 16, 1912; born at home in Auburn, New York. Birth name Joseph Lawrence Cappiello.

15 February 1992 5:10pm

Location: The Springside Inn in Auburn, New York

27:28 Debbie Carr Nelson speaking to the camera announcing the celebration of her uncle Joe Cappiello’s 80th birthday as well as her parents Norma and Wayne Carr’s 40th wedding anniversary.

31:22 Brother Joe Carr with sister Chrissy Carr with their niece Nikki Carr.

31:30 Lisa Sisk and Joe Carr.

31:42 Kathy McAreavey and Wayne Carr with their niece Nikki Carr.

32:19 Mary “Mame” Cappiello, sister of Joe Cappiello and Norma Cappiello Carr.

32:53 Margit and Joe Cappiello.

32:58 L to R: Margit Cappiello, Mary Cappiello, Joe Cappiello.

33:52 Chrissy Carr and Jim Keeter.

34:12 L to R: Wayne Carr, Norma Cappiello Carr, Mary “Mame” Cappiello, Joe Cappiello, Margit Cappiello.

34:28 Wayne and Norma in front of her wedding dress.

34:39 Photo of young Joseph “Joe” Cappiello.

35:31 Trudy Wolfram and David Cappiello.

35:38 Michael Dutilly, son of Joe “Butch” Cappiello and grandson of Joe Cappiello.

35:46 L to R: Debbie Carr Nelson, Hans Nelson, Bjorn Nelson, John Nelson.

36:01 L to R: Michael Dutilly, Terry and Joe “Butch” Cappiello aka The California Contingent.

36:17 John Carr with his children Taylor Carr (by lamp), Nikki Carr, and Joshua Carr.

36:37 R to L: Terry Cappiello, Wayne Carr, Mary “Mame” Cappiello, Norma Cappiello, Joe Cappiello, Margit Cappiello.

37:40 Joe “Butch” Cappiello.

41:36 Toast being made by Joe “Butch” Cappiello.

42:13 John Carr toasting his parents Norma and Wayne Carr.

43:02 David Cappiello.

43:31 Phyl Colella Stallone, maternal aunt to David and Joe “Butch” Cappiello.

44:04 JoAnne Stallone Vanscoy, daughter of Phyl Colella Stallone, introduces herself and husband Bob aka “Yankee.”

44:34 Antonia “Toni” Colella, niece of Phyl Colella Stallone and daughter of Lucian “Louis” Colella.

45:42 Phyl Colella Stallone, sister of Joe Cappiello’s deceased first wife Mary Josephine Cappiello who is the mother of David and Joe “Butch” Cappiello. Introduces her husband Anthony “Stag” Stallone, daughter-in-law Mary Stallone, son Jim Stallone.

46:38 Jim Stallone introduces his children Kristin, Kimberly, and Michael.

47:30 Carole Cervo (husband Jim Tripiciano), Linda Cervo (husband Frank Ferraraccio), and Bonnie Cervo (husband John “Jack” Heil), daughters of Ida Mary Cappiello and Michael Cervo. Carole identifies her father Mr. Cervo.

[Ida is daughter of Angelo Cappiello who is brother of Salvatore Cappiello who is father of Joe, Mary “Mame,” and Norma Cappiello.]

48:26 Jean Cervo, her mother Theresa, Ann French, Mike and Mona [Olive Ramona] Signorelli, cousin Robert “Bob” Giacolone, Laurel and their two sons Christopher and Stephen, my aunt and uncle Joseph and Esther Giacalone, Nunzio “Nunzie” Sarnicola.

49:00 David Cappiello introduces Bob Giacolone.

49:16 Lawrence DiCenzo introduces sisters Lola [DiCenzo] Marino and Mary [DiCenzo] Maggio. Hands mic to Lola.

49:49 Lola [DiCenzo] Marino introduces Jo [Josephine Tuori] Barry, Carmela [Tuori] Sandro, Lanie [Madeline?] Tuori, Rita [Cappiello] Morabito, Michael “Mike” Cappiello (son of Rose Mary and John Cappiello).

51:26 Luce Maldoon and Stephie Mryglot, friends of Norma’s from nursing school.

53:28 Carmela [Tuori] Sandro, mother [Lucia Cappiello] is sister to Joe/Mary/Norma Cappiello’s father, Salvatore Cappiello.

54:00 Joe Carr introduces sister Debbie Carr Nelson, John Nelson, Hans Nelson, Bjorn Nelson, brother John Carr, children Josh and Nikki Carr, sister Chrissy Carr Keeter, Jim Keeter, brother Wayne Carr, Kathy McAreavey (to be Carr), and his wife Lisa Sisk Carr.

57:16 David Cappiello introduces Ann Marie Colella Buerkle. She is the daughter of Alfred “Al” Colella who is the sister of Mary Josephine Colella Cappiello, David and Joe “Butch” Cappiello’s mother.

57:41 Ann Marie Colella Buerkle introduces her family including brother Tom, mother Sadrian “Sadie” Fiduccia Colella, father Al Colella, uncle Tony Colella, brother Gerard Colella.

58:52 David Cappiello introduces Anthony “Tony” Colella.

59:29 Tony [Anthony] Colella introduces his family Ron [Ronald] Colella, Kathy Colella, and Lisa Colella.

1:00:19 David Cappiello introduces his wife Trudy.

1:00:50 Joe “Butch” Cappiello introduces his wife Terry and his son Michael “Mike” Dutilly.

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Boyd Paterno Brown Obituary

Boyd, my 1st cousin 1 x removed, is the son of Lyndon Middaugh Brown who is the son of my great-grandmother Minnie Minton Middaugh Brown Paterno whose second husband was my grandfather Dr. Charles Vincent Paterno.

Boyd Paterno Brown

Boyd Paterno Brown, a very compassionate, northern gentleman, passed away April 22, 2003, at the age of 87. He was born in Syracuse, New York and graduated from Riverdale Private School. Spending most of his adult life as President of Premier Beef Cattle Co., Boyd was a lover of nature and north woods. He retired to Ft. Myers in 1990, along with his beloved wife of 32 years, Rose Weber Brown.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Weber Brown, one son Boyd Jr., 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 2 sisters and 3 step children.

A memorial service will be held in Millinocket, Maine.

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Boyd Paterno Brown Jr. Obituary

Boyd, Jr., my 2nd cousin, is the son of Boyd Paterno Brown Sr. who is the son of Lyndon Middaugh Brown who is the son of my great-grandmother Minnie Minton Middaugh Brown Paterno whose second husband was my grandfather Dr. Charles Vincent Paterno.

Boyd Brown Jr. • December 31, 1940 – June 16, 2013

SCARBOROUGH – Boyd P. Brown Jr., 72, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2013, at Maine Veteran’s Home, Scarborough. He was born Dec. 31, 1940, in Port Chester, N.Y.

Boyd along with his former wife, Marguerite “Bonnie” Brown, raised their family in Augusta. He remained in the central Maine area, then retired to his beloved home, “Journey’s End,” on Millinocket Lake.

Boyd graduated from Loomis Chaffe High School in 1958, and from Yale University in 1962. He served in the U.S. Navy, and had one tour of duty in Vietnam as an Operations Officer. After this he served in the Navy Reserves as a Lieutenant Commander. He relocated his family from Newport R.I., to Augusta in 1972 where he began a long career as a salesman. He worked for many years selling real estate in Maine and was a member of Maine Board of Realtors. Later, Boyd worked in computer technical support for Occupational Health Research, Skowhegan.

An avid outdoorsman, Boyd loved to spend time at his camps on Millinocket Lake, “The most beautiful place on earth,” according to Boyd. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing with family and friends, and he became a Registered Maine Guide. In 2001, he completed his first leg of a through-hike of the Appalachian Trail with his son, and he later returned to finish the final half in 2003 with friends.

Boyd was predeceased by his parents, Boyd P. Brown Sr. and Marion “Sally” Safford; brother, Gary Brown; and half brother, Keith Brown. He is survived by his two children, Beverly Lawrence of North Yarmouth and Boyd Brown III of Ashford, Conn.; and four grandchildren.

Boyd’s family would like to thank the staff at Maine Veteran’s Home, Scarborough, for the care and comfort that they provided him over the last several years. They would also like to thank VNA Home Health Hospice for their time and support during Boyd’s final days.

A memorial service will be held later this summer in Millinocket. Arrangements are under the care of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. Donations may be made in Boyd’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. For additional information and to sign Boyd’s online guestbook, please visit jonesrichandhutchins.com. To plant a tree in memory of Boyd Brown Jr., please visit Tribute Store.

Please add your memories of Boyd below in the comments. If you’d like to submit a photo to add to Boyd’s slideshow, please contact me HERE.

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Marilyn Gertrude Middaugh Brown Smith Obituary

Marilyn, my 1st cousin 1 x removed, is the daughter of Lyndon Middaugh Brown who is the son of my great-grandmother Minnie Minton Middaugh Brown Paterno whose second husband was my grandfather Dr. Charles Vincent Paterno.

Marilyn B. Smith

Marilyn B. Smith, devoted wife of Bob Smith passed away on Sept. 25, 2007. Marilyn lived a very active life starting in Rye, N.Y. from where she commuted to New York City to be a fashion model. Marilyn raised four children and as the children grew, finished school and got married, she was able to spend more time pursuing her favorite sports-tennis and golf. This was made easier when Bob and Marilyn moved to Vero Beach and joined the Moorings Club where Marilyn made her name on the tennis court. They lived in the Moorings for 25 years before moving into Regency Park, an assisted living area in Vero Beach.

Marilyn served as one of the auxiliaries at IRMC for more than 10 years and was a member of the DAR. Marilyn joined her husband in the love of the sea. Together they made ten round trips on their trawler “Bolyn” between their Northern home in Westport, CT. and Vero Beach.

Marilyn is survived by her husband Bob of 44 years, four children and one step-daughter, Christopher Murray, Didi Nydick, Brooke Guiney, Allison Boender and Wayne Murray. These five children presented her with 15 grandchildren.

In lieu flowers a memorial contribution to VNA Hospice would be greatly appreciated. There will be a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church on Thurs., September 27th at 3:00pm. Following the service there will be a gathering of family and friends.

Please add your memories of Marilyn below in the comments. If you’d like to submit a photo to add to Marilyn’s slideshow, please contact me HERE.

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Ruth Middaugh Brown Lawrence Obituary

Ruth, my 1st cousin 1 x removed, is the daughter of Lyndon Middaugh Brown who is the son of my great-grandmother Minnie Minton Middaugh Brown Paterno whose second husband was my grandfather Dr. Charles Vincent Paterno.

  • L to R: Charles Stuart, Ruth Marie Welsh, Ruth Middaugh, Marilyn Gertrude Middaugh, and Lyndon Middaugh Brown
  • Ruth Middaugh Brown Lawrence
  • Ruth and Bill Lawrence with Mr. Kulco

Ruth Middaugh Brown Lawrence

LAWRENCE Ruth Middaugh Brown Lawrence passed away July 2, 2009. Born in NYC July 30, 1924; brought up in Rye, NY; graduated Edgewood High School, Greenwich, CT; attended Washington School for secretaries NYC; married Bill Lawrence in Rye Presbyterian Church, Rye, NY, May 12, 1945 traveled with her Navy husband during WWII; raised 4 children in Armonk, NY.

Ruth worked many years at W.E. Lawrence, Inc. in Rye Brook, NY. They belonged to Tamarack CC in Greenwich, CT. They moved to Severna Park, MD in 1972 where she was active in church, bridge, and Chartwell Golf Club. They retired to Ponte Vedra in 1988; active member of Palms Presbyterian Church, P.V. Chapter D.A.R., Sawgrass Women’s Club and Golf member till recently.

Ruth and Bill loved to dance, golf and walk on the beach. Ruth also loved to swim and do needle work. She leaves behind her very loving husband of 64 years, Bill; sons, William E. Lawrence III (Barbara) of San Diego, CA and Michael C. Lawrence, of Sparks, MD; daughters, Sherill, of Millersville, MD and Barbara (Kevin) of Suffern, NY; and ten grandchildren, Kelly, Billy, Christine, Derrick, Ryan, Travis, Chelsea, Michael B., Andrew and Brittany; and five great-grandchildren, Taylor, Ashton, William E. V, Lucas and Kalyn.

A Special Celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 31, 2009 at the Sawgrass Beach Club with music and refreshments. Please RSVP by July 24th to ruthandbillL @comcast.net. Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com . Services under the care and direction of: Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

Please add your memories of Ruth below in the comments. If you’d like to submit a photo to add to Ruth’s slideshow, please contact me HERE.

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Arthur Middleton Tasker Obituary

Arthur is my 2nd cousin 1 x removed. His mother Madeline M. Iacovino is the daughter of Maria Carmina Cappiello who is the sister of my great-grandfather Salvatore Cappiello.

Arthur M. Tasker • October 29, 1939 ~ November 8, 2020 (age 81)

Arthur M. Tasker died at Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital, Greenport NY, on November 8, 2020. He was born in the same hospital on October 29, 1939, a few minutes before his twin, John Tasker (d 2016) to Madeline Iacovino, homemaker and a founder of the Greenport Shakespeare Club (d 1977) and Henry Tasker, attorney; Suffolk County D.A.; Justice, New York State Supreme Court (d 1987).

Arthur attended the Greenport Schools, graduating as Valedictorian in 1957.

At Cornell University (’61), he earned a Bachelor of Metallurgical Engineering degree on a full scholarship from Grumman. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and often said he enjoyed “a complete undergraduate experience” — that did not include the Dean’s List.

After graduation Arthur joined Texas Instruments in Attleboro MA, where he worked on a team building nuclear reactors for Admiral Hyman Rickover’s Navy. Thereafter he worked in industrial marketing at Allied Chemical in Morristown NJ and at the World Gold Council in New York City as International Industrial Marketing Director promoting gold usage in industry and dentistry. At the age of 49 he decided to go to law school: “It was the family business, but I got interested long after my father would have paid for it.” He graduated magna cum laude from The Benjamin Cardozo School of Law in 1992. He practiced with a corporate firm, subsequently in partnership with a Cardozo classmate and as a solo practitioner.

In retirement Arthur and his wife of 40 years, Lucia (Staniels), owned and operated a joint exhibit for American children’s book publishers at the annual Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy. They traveled widely in Europe, as well as to Egypt and Jordan just before the Arab Spring, the Galapagos, Canada and throughout the United States.

Arthur was an avid fly fisher and was active in the Nature Conservancy and the Peconic Land Trust, including the Project Committee. In recent years he enjoyed growing, eating and sharing oysters he raised in front of his Sandy Beach cottage in conjunction with Cornell’s SPAT program.. He served on the Greenport Village Zoning Board of Appeals, was a reasonably frequent, perhaps not always gladly welcomed, speaker/contributor to discussions of Village Board issues. He was a member of Peconic Landing’s Buildings & Grounds Committee, serving two terms as Chair. A fifth-generation Greenporter, he was featured in Andrea Cotes’ “Port of Views” historical show in Mitchell Park in 2015.

Arthur was a nurturer, with boundless curiosity and a virtually bottomless “idiot’s ditty bag,” as he called it, and which had a capacious side pocket for risque limericks. He could talk to virtually anybody about something and was a good storyteller. He spoke French and Italian and liked good food, good drink–especially Balvenie whiskey—and good design. His retentive memory could call up virtually every meal eaten in every trattoria in every hill town in Italy. His daughter lovingly referred to him as the Walking Encyclopedia.

Arthur dealt handily with plumbing, electrical, construction & carpentry matters. He taught his daughter how to shingle a roof (with help with some friends) and that she could fix or make almost anything. He attributed his cooking skills (“man cook meat,” said with a Tarzan swagger) to watching a cranky chef while working a split shift at Porky’s restaurant at age 14.

Social liberal, political centrist, fiscal conservative, spiritual seeker, Arthur believed in science, the power of technology for good and bad; the power of mankind for same; and the miracle of the universe.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his beloved daughter, Alex Marx, son-in-law Peter, 16-year-old grandson Theo, who live in Los Angeles, and many cherished friends and relatives.

Private burial will be followed by a memorial gathering later. Arrangements by Horton-Mathie. Memorial donations may be made to SBELIH, or the Peconic Land Trust.

Please add your memories of Arthur below in the comments. If you’d like to submit a photo to add to Arthur’s slideshow, please contact me HERE.

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Charles Vincent Paterno Obituary

Dr. Charles V. Paterno, my great-grandfather, is the father of Carlo M. Paterno who is the father of my mother Mina Minton Paterno Schultes.

Dr. C. V. Paterno, Realty Developer
Special to the Brooklyn Eagle 31 May 1946

Rye, N.Y., May 31 – Dr. Charles V. Paterno real estate developer and builder of New York, died yesterday after a heart attack at the Westchester Country Club while playing golf with his brother-in-law, Anthony Campagna, a member of the New York City Board of Education. He was 69.

Dr. Paterno was best known as the builder of Castle Village, a group of five ultra-modern 12-story buildings overlooking Riverside Drive, between 181st and 186th Sts., Manhattan. Dedicated to former Mayor LaGuardia, the development replaced a still more spectacular project, Paterno Castle, a palatial residence resembling a medieval castle on the Rhine. He also built the Hudson View Gardens, co-operative apartments at Pinehurst Ave., between 182nd and 184th Sts., not far from Castle Village, and the Marguery at 270 Park Ave., Manhattan.

Born in Italy, he attended Cornell Medical College and received his degree in 1899. His father died, leaving the family in possession of a half-finished apartment house. To assist his brother complete the structure, Mr. Paterno agreed to defer his medical practice, and his success in the building profession decided him to remain in it.

He gave to charitable and educational institution, one of his gifts including $30,000 to Columbia University to endow the Paterno Libray.

His first wife, Mrs. Minnie M. Paterno, died in 1943. Surviving are his widow Mrs. Anna Blome Paterno; a son, Carlo, recently discharged as a captain in the army; three brothers Michael, of Irvington-on-Hudson; Anthony of Manhattan, and Saverio of Italy and four sisters, Mrs. Anthony Campagna, Mrs. Armino A. Campagna, Mrs. Joseph Miele and Mrs. Joseph Faiella.

Please add your memories of Charles below in the comments. If you’d like to submit a photo to add to Charles’ slideshow, please contact me HERE.

DR. PATERNO DEAD; REALTY LEADER, 69
Built Castle Village and Other Noted Structures – Stricken on Golf Course in Rye

New York Times • 31 May 1946

Dr. Charles V. Paterno, a leading builder and real-estate developer of New York, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 69 after being stricken with a heart attack on the fairway of the Westchester Country Club golf course in Rye, N.Y. He had been playing a match wit his brother-in-law, Anthony Campagna.

Dr. Paterno was carried to the shade of a tree by his caddy. An ambulance was called from the United Hospital in Port Chester, but Dr. Paterno was dead when the hospital was reached.

Born in Italy, Dr. Paterno, who was famous for his construction of the Castle Village and Hudson View apartment groups in Washington Heights, Manhattan, came to this country at an early age with his parents. He was graduated from the Cornell University School of Medicine in 1899.

That year his father, John, a builder, who was engaged in the construction of an apartment house on West 112th Street, died. [507 West 112th Street & 505 West 112th Street] Dr. Paterno and his brother, Joseph, were obliged to assume the responsibility of finishing the job.

Started With Small Capital

With the sale of the completed structure came acquisition of an adjoining undelovped tract in part payment. [509 West 112th Street] This made it incumbent on the two brothers to undertake further building operation. Starting with a capital of $3,000, they completed the second structure with a profit of the same amount.

Thus encouraged, Paterno Brothers started other buildings, each larger than the last, until the concern was a highly profitable one. The financial depression of the year 1907 discouraged Dr. Paterno, however, and he dissolved partnership with his brother, planning to practice medicine finally.

However, a block front at West End Avenue and Eighty-third street was offered to him for building, and he could not resist. [Alameda 255 West 84th Street]

With the construction of this twelve-story, $2,500,000 structure Dr. Paterno was firmly launched in business for himself. The profits were such that he bought a site at 182d Street and Riverside Drive, then almost entirely rural, next door to the James Gordon Bennett estate, and on it built the renowned Paterno Castle, which was for many years a landmark on the Hudson until Dr. Paterno himself demolished it in 1938 to make way for Castle Village.

A Palatial Domain

“The Castle,” the street address of which was 182 Northern Avenue, Manhattan, was a truly palatial domain, resembling a medieval castle on the Rhine. Its stone turrets, designed in a mixture of old English and roman style, enclosed a white marble interior which contained, among other things, a $61,000 organ and a huge swimming pool surrounded by bird cages. The immediate surroundings boasted seventeen greenhouses, and the Palter family entertained there lavishly for years.

In the early Nine(teen) Twenties Dr. Paterno planned the Hudson View Gardens, a cooperative apartment and garden community at the site of old Fort Washington and the highest point on Manhattan island. During the construction many old Revolutionary War cannon balls were unearth. The apartments were opened in 1924. There followed construction of several other modern buildings in the West Side area, into which the forward-looking spirit of Dr. Paterno incorporated many new ideas.

In 1927, just before the depression, Dr. Paterno planned a similar apartment colony atop the Palisades, across the river, on a gigantic scale. There was to be a ninety-story tower, rising 1,000 feet. As the Palisades are 500 feet high there , the tower would have soared 1,500 feet above the Hudson River. A large tract of land was purchased with a view to proceeding with the development, but fate had decreed otherwise.

Built Village in 1939

Dr. Paterno built Castle Village, a group of five ultra-modern, twelve-story buildings rising 300 feet above the river, in 1939. At the same time he removed his home to Windmill Farm, on Route 22, north of Arming Village, Westchester County. His 1,700-acre estate there lies partly in Westchester and partly in Greenwich, Connecticut. Numerous old-fashioned windmills decorating the place have attracted wide attention. Two years ago he applied to North Castle Township for permission to convert part of his estate into a $4,000,000 memorial park with facilities for weddings, baptisms, recreation and also burials. The opposition of neighborhoods caused him to withdraw the application.

Dr. Paterno gave extensively to charitable and educational enterprises. One of this gifts was check for $30,000 to Columbia University to endow the Paterno Library in the Casa Italiana there.

His first wife, Mrs. Minnie M. Paterno, whom he married in 1906, died in 1943. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Anna B. Paterno; a son, Carlo, by the first marriage, who was recently discharged as a captain in the Army; three brothers, Michael of Irvington-on-Hudson, Anthony of New York and Saverio of Italy, and four sisters, Mrs. Marie P. Campagna, Mrs. Armino A. Campagna, Mrs. Joseph Miele and Mrs. Joseph Faiella.

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Joseph Paterno Obituary

Joseph Paterno is the brother of my great-grandfather Dr. Charles Vincent Paterno.

JOSEPH PATERNO, BUILDER; 58, DEAD; Pioneer in the Construction of Skyscraper Apartments Succumbs to Pneumonia WAS NEWSBOY IN YOUTH Head of Paterno Bros., Inc., Since 1899–Decorated by Italian Government

Joseph Paterno of Riverdale, former immigrant newsboy who became a leading builder of New York apartment houses, died yesterday of pneumonia in Doctors Hospital. He was 58 years old.

President of Paterno Brothers, Inc., building contractors of 20 East Fifty-seventh Street, since 1899, Mr. Paterno was a pioneer in the erection of skyscraper apartment houses and built and sold more than one hundred such structures.

Mr. Paterno, with his brother, Michael E. Paterno, and his brother-in-law, Anthony Campagna, built and contributed generously to the Casa Italiana, Columbia University’s center of Italian culture. For this service and for his donations to Italian charities he was made a Commander of the Crown of Italy in 1928.

Mr. Paterno was also a pioneer in the building of cooperatively owned apartment houses, such as 1220 Park Avenue and 30 Sutton Place, and of garden-type apartments in Riverdale. His most extensive construction was in the Columbia University neighborhood.

Was Born Near Naples

Born in Castlemezzano, near Naples, Italy, he was the son of the late John and Carolina Travigno Paterno, John Paterno, a building contractor, was ruined when an earthquake destroyed a public edifice he had erected in Castelmezzano, and brought his family to America for a fresh start, when Joseph was a small boy.

On a raw, gusty day in November, 1889, Joseph, then a newsboy, shivering at his post in Park Row, watched construction of a huge office structure across the street.

“Papa,” he asked, “why do they make the business buildings so high?”

“Because it pays,” his father replied. “The higher the building, the more rent it brings its owner. I would not do so in Italy, but this is the American way.”

The bright-eyed newsboy wrinkled his brow and frowned, while making change for a customer. “But, papa, if that is so why don’t they make the houses and tenements high, too, so they will bring more rent?”

The father smiled and patted his son’s curly head. “You have an eye for business, my son. Perhaps some day you may build some high houses.”

Helped Make False Teeth

From that day it became Joseph’s ambition to build skyscraper apartment houses. He was obliged to quit school and work late at night helping a dentist make false teeth, to meet his share of the expenses of the family, but he never lost sight of his goal.

Finally, he got his chance through his father, who came back in the contracting buisness, forming the partnership of McIntosh & Paterno, which prospered. When the father returned to Italy to die in sight of his beloeved Neapolitan vineyards, he turned over his interests to Joseph.

Joseph selected Morningside Heights as the neighborhood for his first tall apartment house. Then he telegraphed his brother, Dr. Charles V. Paterno, who was taking his degree at Cornell, to enter partnership with him.

Joseph sought financial backing and interested a downtown real estate operator. But the investor was definitely uninterested in the ten, fifteen or twenty story structures Joseph proposed. The Paterno brothers accepted his terms, however, and the block and a half of regular-sized parartments on Morningside Avenue West was built.

His first Ten-Story Building

A host of six-story apartments ensued. It was not until 1904 that Mr. Paterno signed a contract for his first ten-story buildling, the Broadway, at 620 West 116th Street. Afterward other building contractors began following his lead toward taller apartment houses.

Associates of Mr. Paterno described him as a dynamo of energy, a believer in quick construction, who familiarized himself with every detail of his project. “If you want a thing done, do it yourself,” was his motto.

Surviving are his widow, the former Jule. H. V. Wittkower; two sons, Joseph Jr. and Jack; four brothers, Dr. Charles V., Anthony A., Michael E. and Saverio Paterno; and four sisters, Mrs. Anthony Campagna, Mrs. Joseph Miele, Mrs. Rose P. Faiella and Mrs. Armino A. Campagna.

A requiem mass will be held Friday at 11 A. M. at the Roman Catholic Church of Notre Dame, Morningside Drive and 114th Street. Honorary pallbearers were announced as Gaetano Vecchiotti, Italian Consul General; Mayor LaGuardia, Justice Salvatore A. Cotillo, Judge John J. Freschi, City Treasurer Almerindo Portfolio, Raymond A. Wetzler, Harvey Bloomer, John F. Calhoun, Joseph Byrne, Count A. Facchetti-Guigla, I. Carlo Falbo, Richard A. Corroon, Gordon B. MacGillivray, Albert A. Raphael, Generoso Pope and George MacDonald.

Please add your memories ofJoseph below in the comments. If you’d like to submit a photo to add to Josephs slideshow, please contact me HERE.

The Record Hackensack, New Jersey · Wednesday, June 14, 1939
Woodlawn Cemetery

Joseph Paterno’s mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery

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Carlo Middaugh Paterno Obituary

Carlo Paterno, my maternal grandfather, is the father of my mother Mina Minton Paterno Schultes.

New York Times OBITUARIES • Tuesday, December 12, 1995

PATERNO – Carlo Middaugh, 88, died on December 11, 1995, in Naples, Florida, where he had been a resident since 1969. Mr. Paterno was the owner of Meadow Lane Farm, North Salem, NY, where he made his home for twenty-four years. Until his retirement, he was in the real estate business in and around New York City. He was also a breeder of purebred Aberdeen-Angus cattle beginning in 1950 and was one of the foremost breeders in the U.S.

Born in New York City, he was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Charles V. Paterno. His father, a prominent builder, was best known for the white marble castle he built on Riverside Drive overlooking the George Washington Bridge. Paterno Castle was later torn down and replaced by Castle Village, the first apartment houses in NY City to use the “X” plan. Among his many projects, his father was also remembered for building 270 Park Avenue. His family were also donors of Casa Italiana at Columbia University.

Always community oriented, he was active in civic affairs in Westchester County (NY), where he served on the North Salem Planning Board for fourteen years. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Northern Westchester Hospital (Mount Kisco, NY) for sixteen years and raised 23 million for a new addition to the Hospital. He served as president of the Hospital for five years.

Mr. Paterno will be remembered in Naples as the builder of “The Corner,” a Renaissance style building which is located in the Old Naples Third Street South Shopping District. He was a member of The Royal Poinciana Golf Club, Naples Yacht Club, The Port Royal Club and The Naples Athletic Club where he served as president for a year.

He attended Yale University where he graduated from the Sheffield School of Science in 1930. During World War II, he served as a Captain for four and one half years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring with the rank of Major.

Mr. Paterno was preceded in death by his first wife of 52 years, Helen Cotillo Paterno and is survived by his wife, Christine Montgomery Paterno; 3 daughters, Carla P. Darlington (NY City), Patricia P. Webb (Richmond, KY), Mina P. Schultes (Wilson, WY) and six grandchildren.

Please add your memories of Carlo below in the comments. If you’d like to submit a photo to add to Carlo’s slideshow, please contact me HERE.