Saverio made the dream of his father, Giovanni, come true: Palazzo Paternó, a beautiful three-story building at the entrance to Castelmezzano with a large room for parties and a huge terrace with a view of the valley and the surrounding mountains. (Renato Cantore)
My parents were unhappy with the ground floor living quarters which were indeed very crude and uncomfortable. Dad requested permission to move up to the second floor, and asked for financial help from his brothers for the cost of improvement. Upon receiving the okay and the funds, he immediately proceed to make the necessary improvement to the rooms, and moved. At the same times he completed erecting the stone retaining walls and the stairway to the main entrance of the second floor. Michael J. Paterno book page 13
In 1905 Uncle Charles made an unexpected visit to town. His main purpose was to verify that their funds had been properly used. Evidently he must have been satisfied. Shortly after he left he shipped in a large wood-burning stove, complete with oven and hot water storage, which was installed where the old fireplace had been. On his return to the US Uncle Charles and Joseph convinced Grandma and the other member of the family to let Saverio have the use of the entire house. It was then that Dad complete the unfinished interior work on the third floor, which he rented, creating a little extra income. Eventually he erected the remaining retaining walls, surround the large garden. Michael J. Paterno book page 14
Soon after Grandma’s death the parental home was deeded to Dad. In 1925 he erected an additional floor. Eventually, when utilities became available, he completely removated and modernized the house, which was and remains the outstanding palazzo in Castelmezzano. Michael J. Paterno book page 17
We did not have modern things, but enjoyed ourselves in other ways, climbing trees and consuming loads of ripe fruits. At home we had an old horned hand-crank Gramophone, and all of the children listened to opera and the latest songs, and danced the then-popular Tarantella and Polka. Our huge garden on the second floor level of the house had pergola walks. The center walk was used to play bocce. In one corner of this beautiful garden was an outdoor barbecue. At the opposite corner there was a large underground cistern, or root cellar, where fruits and vegetables were stored. (“Our Refrigerator.”) We had a large fig tree and a peach tree; also a number of plots for vegetable gardens, roses and other flower. Dad built a garden well, hand-operated, which also supplied water for the toilets. The tub water was piped so that it was heated by a wood-burning stove. Michael J. Paterno book page 19
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, one for sister Maria. 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. The parental home is presently jointly owned by Celeste and her daughter Tilde. No one resides there permanently. It is used as a vacation home for the family members residing in Italy. They all take turns in sharing, but Celeste’s family maintains it. Michael J. Paterno book page 40
