Back to Table of Contents
Next: Descendant Tree of Georgio Paterno & Giulia (Galamina) Family
Page 205: Biography of Giorgio Paterno [1922-]
Giorgio was a beautiful, healthy baby. However, in February 1923, eleven-month-old Giorgio was struck by infantile paralysis. As a result, he was partially paralyzed and had crossed eyes but was full of stamina. Giorgio was sent to school in Castelmezzano, but took eleven years to complete elementary school because of his special problems. Later in life, he joked that he was graduated simply for being the oldest student.
Specialists in Naples could do very little for Giorgio except straighten his eyes. On the trip to Naples for his eye operation, Saverio and Minnie Rose were walking on the ocean boardwalk with Giorgio holding their hands. He had never been near the ocean. He freed himself from their clasp, jumped into the water, and swam a long way out, to the amazement of his frightened parents. Later, at the doctor’s office, as he was held by his parents, he noticed how they were shaking. Giorgio requested that they leave the operating room. After they left, he then told them doctor to operate without any painkillers. Giorgio was courageous, happy and had a terrific sense of humor.
During the Second World War, he tried numerous times to volunteer, but much to his regret, was repeatedly rejected. Giorgio kept persisting and in January 1942 was accepted even though his legs were still partially paralyzed. In 1943, he was captured and suffered the tortures of a prisoner. In August 1945 he escaped and returned home. In his taped recollections, [brother] John described Giorgio’s escape. “He dove into a metal water culvert full of rushing water. The water was running so fast that one of his shoes was torn off his foot. Since he couldn’t run with one shoe on and one shoe off, he discarded the other shoe.” Giorgio told John that the Russian peasants he encountered aided him in his escape. Although they were so poor that they couldn’t give him shoes, they gave him rags to tie on his feet. He headed south and walked shoeless through the Alps until he reached Italy. Upon his return, Giorgio received a hero’s welcome. The Italian government gave him an “Invalid of the War” lapel button and permission to travel anywhere in Italy by bus, train or plane, free of charge.
Giorgio stayed in Naples with his sisters, Celeste and Maria, when Minnie Rose left for the United States in 1951. He worked in the Parrella’s laboratory.
When Minnie Rose arrived in America, Michael suggested that the family transfer all rights in the Castelmezzano estate to Giorgio. She agreed and the Italian Consulate assisted in the process, which was accomplished in 1951. When Giorgio married in 1961, sister Celeste agreed to take over the house in Castelmezzano and purchased two cooperative apartments in a beautiful section of Naples; one for Giorgio and one for their younger sister, Maira. At the Castelmezzano home, Michele and Celeste Parrella completely modernized all the bathrooms and built a huge separate kitchen, with all the newest equipment and accessories.
Ownership of the Paterno home was passed on to Tilde (Parrella) Vaccaro, who sold it in approximately 1999.
Back to Table of Contents
Next: Descendant Tree of Georgio Paterno & Giulia (Galamina) Family
