Page 15: MAMA AND DAD – RETURN TO LONDON
My parents, with Carolina, Michael and Celestina, went to London in 1912. While they were there sister Giulia was born, in 1913. Sister Carolina and I attended Kindergarten. Carolina was afraid of the London bobbies. On the way home from school, if we encountered a bobby I used to pull their coattails. My scared sister would run away crying, and I would be taken by the friendly bobby to a candy shop and treated to pieces of candy. We all returned to Italy the early part of 1914.
MYSELF, SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN ITALY
Carolina was a very pretty and loving sister. I remember that when she became ill our parents and friends brought her sweets to soothe her pains. She was too sick to have any of it. I used to sneak into her room and have a feast.
She had attended two grades of elementary school in Castelmezzano when she died in 1914 from typhoid fever at the age of seven.
I (Michael) attended the following schools in Italy: four grades of elementary school in Castelmezzano; one grade of elementary school in Melfi; three years of high school in Melfi; three years of high school in Salerno.
As a youngster my sister Celestina was a delicate and sickly girl, but very wise and an excellent diplomat. With obvious emphasis on her diplomatic ability she escaped complying with the many normal family rules. She was my trusted confidante, fabricating excuses on my behalf as to my whereabouts or mischievous engagements, and by timely warnings she spared me quite often from receiving deserved punishment. She attended four years of elementary school in Castelmezzano.
Sister Giulia was very healthy, strong and tomboyish. She was the only one of us kids who had the courage to sternly stand up to Daddy’s struct rules. When Giulia completed the fourth grade in Castelmezzano, she and Celestina attended four years of high school at “Materdei College” in Naples.
While I was attending high school in Salerno, I was assigned the duty of accompanying my sisters to and from Naples at the beginning and end of school terms and for Christmas and Easter vacations. They had one more year to complete when I left Italy.
Romeo was about eight years old when I left Italy. I remember him as being a very good-looking and happy boy, and growing a great deal more well-behaved than I had been. At that time he was attending the second grade. Eventually he completed five years of elementary school in Castelmezzano. Then he had six years of high school in Potenza and later six years of law school at the University of Naples.
While attending his last year of classes he was drafted into the Italian Army and served as an infantry Lieutenant. He departed Montenegro in June of 1941. In June of 1942 he was sent to the Russian front and taken prisoner in December of 1942.
He was first declared missing. In February of 1943 he was declared dead. The family was so notified by the International Red Cross. This tragedy brought a lot of grief to the entire family, and friends – especially the ones in Italy who had seen him grow to such a fine young man with exceptional talent and ambition.
(Brother Giorgio – see Parental Home and Giorgio, Chapter XI)
Page 16: Maria, about three years old when I left Italy, was a very pretty and intelligent little girl. She was the apple of Daddy’s eye, receiving preferential treatment and having a tendency to become somewhat spoiled. She attended five years elementary school in Castelmezzano, then six years high school and four years college in Naples. She graduated as a school teacher.
Sister Celeste and her husband Dr. Michele Parella graciously kept Maria in their home in Naples, and generously guided and financially helped her to obtain her degree. Celeste and Michele had done the same for Romeo, while he was studying in Naples.
THE BOYS IN AMERICA
SCHOOLS ATTENDED AND FIRST JOBS
In 1911 John was sent to St. Joseph’s Convent, a school for young boys administered by the Sisters of Charity who were primarily attached to St. Elizabeth’s College in New Jersey. In 1912 John was joined by his brothers Charles and Joseph.
Their young experiences, including the language barrier and their dislike of unaccustomed foods, created many problems. Here is one such incident: Brother Charles, who detested the oatmeal served almost daily at breakfast contrived to avoid eating it by stuffing the mushy substance in his little pockets. One can imagine the results. When caught he was severely punished by the strict nuns.
In 1913 John went to Bailey Hall (Elementary School attached to Seton Hall College, South Orange, New Jersey). In 1914 Charles and Joseph left the convent and went to Bailey Hall.
John completed two years of high school. Joseph and Charles completed high school, then attended Eastman Business College in New York City.
During 1916-1917 John went to Eastman Business School in Poughkeepsie, New York. He took courses in Bookkeeping, Stenotyping and Typewriting.
John’s first job was as an office boy and typist for Edison Portland Cement in 1918. That same year he worked for Dr. Paterno at 270 Park Avenue, as an office boy, typist and timekeeper for laborers. In 1919 he worked for Uncle Joseph in the construction of 884 West End Avenue as timekeeper and assistant construction superintendent; in 1920 the same work at 270 Riverside Drive. (Note: perhaps a typo. Could be 325 Riverside Drive.) He worked for Uncle Michael in 1921 as assistant superintendent at 110th Street and Riverside Drive; and in 1922 at 522 West End Avenue with Campagna and Uncle Joseph.
Charles in 1921 began working in the office with the Morrel Bros., and in 1922 on construction jobs for Uncle Joseph and his brother John, as assistant superintendent.
Joseph visited Castelmezzano in 1920. On his return to the U.S. in 1921 he began working in the office with Uncle Charles, then on construction at Hudson View Gardens. Later he was assistant superintendent with Uncle Joseph at 290 Riverside Drive, and then on many other construction jobs with Uncle Joseph and brother John.