Page 40: CHAPTER XI • THE PARENTAL HOME AND BROTHER GIORGIO
In 1951, through the Italian Consulate in New York on my initiative and with Mama’s consent, all the beneficiaries of the Saverio Paterno estate in America assigned and transferred all our rights in the Castelmezzano estate to our brother Giorgio Paterno.
I will briefly give the reason for our decision.
Brother Giorgio was born March 13, 1922, a beautiful , healthy and strong boy. However, on a disastrous day in February, 1923, while in the crib with Mama next to him he was struck by infantile paralysis. Giorgio grew up with his eyes crossed and partially paralyzed, but full of stamina. Reaching school age he was sent to first grade, but being a boy with unusual problems it took 11 years to complete the elementary school. As he jocularly told me later on, they graduated him simply for being the oldest.
He was taken to specialists in Naples, but they could do very little for him except to straighten his eyes.
On the trip to Naples for his eye operation, Mama and Dad were walking on the ocean boardwalk with Giorgio holding their hands. He had never been near the ocean. He freed himself and jumped into the water and swam a long way out, to the amazement of his frightened parents.
At the doctor’s office Mother and Dad were holding him. Seeing how shaky they were he requested they leave the operating room, and told the doctor to operate without any painkillers. Giorgio was always full of guts and courage, very happy, and with a terrific sense of humor.
During the Second World War he tried numerous times to volunteer, but much to his regret he was always rejected. He kept persisting, and finally in January, 1942, he was accepted.
Even though he had improved, his legs were still partially paralyzed, leaving him with a definitely unsteady balance.
In 1943 he was captured and suffered the usual prisoner’s tortures. In August, 1945, he managed to escape and miraculously returned back home.
When Mama came to the U.S. in 1951, Giorgio stayed in Naples with sisters Celeste and Maria. They helped him in many ways. He worked in the Parrella’s laboratory.
When Giorgio married in 1961 sister Celeste agreed to take over the house in Castelmezzano, and purchased two co-operative 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.
Page 41: Latest Photos of Our Paternal Home
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Page 42: Latest Photo of the Panorama of Castelmezzano
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Since my first return visit in 1930
and on each succeeding visit with
my wife Louise; in 1949, 1965, and 1976;
we observed the noticeable
continuing progress of the town
improvements and modernizations.
We also saw the changes of
peasants’ costumes and customs,
a complete renovation of the
people’s lifestyles and appearances.
Buses and an abounding number
of cars, trucks and motorcycles
have replaced the donkeys and mules.