Posted by frank garcia on the Park Slope Message Board:
i lived on 14 st bet 5 and 6 ave
i went to ps 51 and then to manuel training high school
i rember germains dept stop on 5 ave and 15 st
there were 3 bars on 9st 5ave
smittys
owned by a man called screamer smith
next to him was dinkys
owened by a retired cop from the 72 precent named eddy
next to him was the round town
at times they served free snacks
then there was a great stake bar called the dixie traven on 20st 5 ave owned by a man named toddo marino
as a young boy i also raised pigeons
hope to hear from some people that rember this
on the Park Slope Message Board
Hi –
Marie, I remember the R&R Shows at the Fox Theater, downtown. Until recently, I still had one of the albums (we would get them autographed
at the end of the show). The Ronnettes, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Avalon, etc.
I sat next to Murray the Kay last year at Newark Airport; we put our shoes back on ‘together’ at the security gate. He still looks the same with a rug on his head. The last R&R show I recall was about 1966 and The Loving Spoonful was there. I remember picking up John Sebastian’s cigarette after he tossed it in the street, and I wrapped it in a napkin. Silly things we did. Carol, were you with me? I think so!
A few years ago, my husband and I went to one of the more current
Rock and Roll Shows (offered by Richard Nader’s Doo Wop Rock and Roll). Many of the same groups performed. They, and everyone in the audience -looked very old.
I also remember Juniors (sure we all do). They had the best cheesecakes ever… and I understand they still do!
Maybe the R&R shows were at the Brooklyn Paramont (not Fox??)
I saw Tom Jones with a pony tail at the Fox singing, What’s new pussy cat?I forget who else. I never forgot him because of the ponytail. I also remember wearing checkered ski pants there and not being very comfortable through the whole show.
i also remember the r&r shows i think at the fox though. fran i was probably with u. the one that sticks out in my mind was the group that sang leader of the pack can’t remember the name of the group, but they came out on stage with a motor cycle. who out there went to the copacabana for their prom, i did and i remember seeing bobby vinton and the georgie girls, then we went on the staten island ferry with the limo and home and 4:00 and that was the only nite i ever got to stay out that late. i remember i went with larry arena to my prom. went to bay ridge high school. for my graduation we went for dinner at juniors, and of course had their cheesecake. i remember when i was pregnant to christine i craved juniors cheesecake and my mom went and got it for me and i ate the whole thing in one sitting. god forbid u craved something and didn’t get it, they said the baby would come out with a mark and some other silly old wives tales. so no matter what u wanted when u were pregnant u got it.lol
50’s paramount was Alan Freed. The 60’s was the Fox threatre, I think.
HI EVERYONE ON THIS SITE:
Just came back from St.Pete, Florida and saw Aunt Gloria, Uncle Tommy, Uncle Angelo, Aunt Faye; Ronnie & Linda, Bo (Ramon) and Cathy, Ralphie and all the other cousins from 21st St and just got off the phone with Donnie and Jeanette in Staten Island.
We all would like to get a reunion together – we mentioned October or November??? – New York or Florida???? even mentioned going on a cruise out of Ft Lauderdale or Tampa or New York harbor (3, 4 or 5 days)???? I got someobody working on a group price from all ports and will let you know the results.
If any of you guys have any input or ideas, please let me know – my email address is [email protected]. We will need a couple of you to coordinate groups (probably Terry) and lists of people in your area and families.. If you want, I will keep the final list of all who will be interested and who will be attending (whenever and whereever it may be) I thought that the elders should have the final say (even though I am one of them, I am open to all suggestions). Will keep you posted.
BOBBY ANN,
HOW IS THE OLD GANG? I’M IN FOR A REUNION. I THINK WE SHOULD TRY FOR NEW YORK AND GO BACK TO THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD. RENT A PLACE OR GET A RESTAURANT. IF ITS WARM WEATHER MY HOUSE IS BIG I HAVE A REALLY BIG YARD. I JUST HAD 90 PEOPLE FOR THE BABY’S BIRTHDAY. ANYWAY..NOVEMBER 9TH I AM GOING ON A CRUISE FOR 12 DAYS TO THE CARIBBEAN. NOVEMBER IS BAD FOR ME. LET SEE WHAT THE OTHERS HAVE TO SAY. LOVE TERRY
Terry,
Look above your name is spelled wrong! Going to the bahamas on Mon. be back on Thur.nite just incase you decided to call.
Love
Judy
Hi All,
Yes, Alan Freed and Murry the K were at the Paramount in the 50’s and early 60’s were went to the Fox — that’s where we saw Johnny Mathis.
My friends and I took a boat ride trip up to Palisades Park and after we went on the rides – we said hey, there’s a show let’s go see it. To our amazement — Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydel and Fabian and I think the Brookly Bridge Group were there. We nearly fell on the floor. I think we sat in the 8th row, so we got a really close look at all of them.
Too bad Palisades closed in 1971 to make room for high rise buildings.
Wow !! What memorie joggers! Since I have been living in Florida for the past 53 years, I really haven’t been in close contact with a lot of the extended family, so here goes. First, Terry Angelo Sherman, I am your fathers first cousin. My parents were Aunt Fina and Uncle Raff.My sisters were Loretta, Rachel, Anna and Tootsie. My brothers were Jiggsy and Angelo. All are gone but Angelo and me. How lucky we were to have a wonderful and loving family.Tell your Uncle Chubby we were asking for him,and he and I danced very often at St. Johns School every Friday night.
Debra Pazzas how are you ? Haven’t heard from you for such a long time. I’m sure all your family is quite grown up by now. Uncle Tommy and I are doing well and really miss all the old times with the family. Stephanie’s son Michael is a lawyer now and lives in Atlanta, and Melissa is going to medical school. Tommy is still living in Texas and his son is 20 years old and his daughter is 18.Hope to hear from you soon. Love You All !!
Jeanette Newberry, remember the time Tommy baby sat Victor and Holly when you Bobby Ann and I went to JaiAlai?What a sight it was when we got home and saw Tommy carrying Holly and almost tossed her into your arms at the door because she had an” accident” in her pants and he wasn’t too happy about that !!LoLSaw Bobby Ann last week for the first time in a a long time. It was really great to see her. Try to stay in touch when you can .
COUSIN GLORIA,
I REMEMBER YOU. I REMEMBER GOING TO YOUR HOUSE WHEN I WAS YOUNG. I HAVE PHOTOS OF ME AND YOUR GIRLS SITTING ON THE FLOOR IN YOUR LIVING ROOM IN FLORIDA. THAT WAS PROBABLY THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU. I WAS ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD. 45 YEARS AGO. UNCLE CHUBBY IS HANGING IN THERE. LOVE HIM TO DEATH. SO LONELY WITHOUT AUNT MARIE. I WILL CALL HIM AND TELL HIM WHAT YOU WROTE. HE LIVES IN STATEN ISLAND NOT FAR FROM ME. I REMEMBER EVERYONE IN YOUR FAMILY. WE WERE VERY CLOSE WITH TOOTSIE AND TONY. AUNT FINA AND UNCLE RAFF ALSO. WE ALWAYS SAW JIGGSY AND JEANIE. JOEY AND I USED TO HANG OUT WHEN WERE YOUNGER. WHERE THE HELL IS JOEY NOW. JOHNNY CALLS ME EVERY SO OFTEN. LIKE EVERY 2 YEARS. IT SO NICE TO SEE YOU WROTE ON HERE. LOVE TO ALL COUSIN TERRY
JUDY,
THAT WAS SO CRAZY THE WAY MY NAME CAME UP. HAVE FUN IN THE BAHAMAS. LOVE TERRY
gloria, i remember my mom and dad charlie and connie miele were friends with jiggsy and jeanie. i can picture there face so clearly and i was friends with joey leone. terry is my cousin too. i did not realize she was also cousins with all of u. my dad was her fathers uncle. glad to hear from u on this great site. u may know my brother augie and matthew and maybe my sister marie. hope to hear from u again. carol
Terry,so glad you got back to me ! I think you have me mixed up with my sister Anna, Seraphine and Barbara’s mother. because I have a daughter and a son. Doesn’t matter though, whatever the great memories are. Also, you and my daughter are very close in age. How do I know that? because I had my daughter in March of 1951 and I can remember your mother Margie comming to my house to see the baby and she didn’t have too much more to go ’till you were born. How can we be so lucky to have had such a beautiful young life.(Not that it’s so bad now ) Also, Johnny and Joseph Leone live here in Florida.I don’t see them much.and that’s too bad. Gonna go now, Love to all !!
Carol, I do remember your Mom and Dad and your brother Augie, And I remember you all lived on 20th. close to 4th. avenue. We used to got to the chicken market on the other side of the street from your house. We lived on 21st. street between 4th. and 5th. I’m so glad I was told about this site from Bobby ann Lento my sister Tootsies daughter.It’s good to hear from everyone. as time goes by, I’ll catch up with more old news.What a treat !! Keep in touch. Gloria
Does anybody remember Marie Frevola ?She used to live on 6th.ave. between 20th and 21st streets.She had a sister named Antoinette and a brother named Frankie.We were best friends growing up. Many years later I saw her on a visit to Brooklyn and she married Frank Aversano and lived on 18th.street . I would love to hear from you if you can remember her and her family.
GLORIA,
I DO REMEMBER YOU. I WAS AT YOUR HOUSE AND HAVE PICTURES WITH YOUR DAUGHTER. I REMEMBER ANNA ALSO, SHE ALWAYS CAME TO VISIT MY GRANDMA TESSI AND GRANDPA CARLY (CURLY). I REMEMBER THE LA ROSAS UP 20TH STREET. I THINK THEY WERE YOUR HUSBANDS RELATIVES. MARIE FREVOLA MARRIED AN AVERSANO. I WONDER IF THAT IS MARIA AVERSANO’S MOM AND DAD THAT I GREW UP WITH. HEY WERE FROM 18TH STREET I THINK. SOMEONE ON THIS BLOG STILL KEEPS IN TOUCH WITH MARIA AVERSANO. WAIT IT IS FRANNY, I THINK….FRANNY BRUNO ABOVE. I BELIEVE IT IS HER EX SISTER IN LAW. LOVE TERRY
Terry,
I’ll try Franny . Maybe she does know Marie and Frankie.Thanks !!
Was i right about the time and date of the year you were born ?I remember that day so clearly. Your Mother was so funny, she was standing at my door and looked like she was going to pop any minute. We had some great times then.And your grandpa was my Mothers brother.I guess you knew that.
Yes the LaRosas on 20th. street are my inlaws. My husband Tommy and I grew up together and celebrated our 58th. wedding anniversary this past February. Wow !! Love ,Gloria
Hi – this site is wonderful – I’m totally enjoying all the comments. Does anyone on here remember a young lady named Dorothy Biscuiti who lived on 21st Street between 5th and 7th Avenues. She was my brighest star while I was in Viet-nam. Please contact me at [email protected]
For
Frances Saracino (Bruno)
Hi Franny, Got your name from Terry Angelo. She thought you may know Marie Frevola Aversano. Marie and I were very best friends growing up,and haven’t kept in touch through the years. I was wondering about her and would like to contact her if I could. Itf you do know of her, could you please let me know ?
Thanks ALot !!
Gloria
gary,
i know the biscutti’s. my moms friend is philemina and i think she was a biscutti. i see her daughter once in a while on sundays. i will ask her if she is dorothy’s cousin which she probably is. they all lived n 21st street next to the church. terry P.S I WILL TRY MY BEST TO FIND YOUR BRIGHTEST STAR.
HI EVERYONE
RE: THE CURLY REUNION
Haven’t been on in a while, working, etc. Just to let you now I am still working on a reunion – we have narrowed it down to a 4 day cruise out of Tampa (date still to be decided on – sometime in October, 2008) Price is right (about $300.00 per) and for all coming from New York, accomodations can probably be made. As soon as a date is finalized, will let everyone know. We will contact everyone, even though they are not on this site. Love y’all
BOBBY ANN,
WAS EVERYONE CALLED CURLY? I KNOW MY GRANDPA CARLY WAS CALLED CURLY. WAS THAT OUR FAMILY NICKNAME? LET ME KNOW THE DATES A.S.A.P. MY BOYFRIENDS WORK DAYS ROTATE AND CHANGE. LOVE COUSIN TERRY
Terry –
We are waiting for Donnie to let us know what date, since he is taking treatments and wants to go in between his treatment dates – will know soon, waiting on a call –
The whole family is known as the “Curlys”. The name was derived from your great grandfather (your grandfather, my Uncle Carly’s father)because of his curly hair. Even my grandmother’s (your Aunt Fina) backyard was later called the Curly Q Ranch. My father (Tony) hung a painted toilet seat as a horseshoe in the yard (I have a picture of it).
I called Millie Vaccaro’s daughter Mary Ann and gave her this address. She will contact her brothers, etc.
Santina
I think the pants you wore to the RR show were mine. I went skiing and bought a pair. I never got to see Tom Jones though.
Eleanor Biscuti was at the closing of St. Johns school. She gave me her e-mail.
No Mare they were new pants I bought with Kathy for the fox theatre and not pants for skiing. They were called ski pants. Now they are called stirrup pants. Horrible pants i don’t care what they r called. I went with Kathy B. to see him. All she did was complain the way he was jumping around. I loved the show. It was my first and last show. Santina
Hi Gloria
I know Marie (and Frank) Aversano. I am assuming it is the same Marie
you are asking about. I never knew her maiden name. If she is your friend Marie Frevola, her daughter, Maria Aversano Eskew was my sister-in-law, and continues to be a good friend.
I had lunch with Maria and her mom, Marie (Frevola?) – a few months ago – along with the grandchildren/great grandchildren. Marie and her family are doing great! She never changes; she looks wonderful and still has a warm heart. They’ve always been family to me.
I will happily let Marie know you want to get in touch with her.
Take care!
thanks Terry – I was in contact with her Mom, Anne for many years but lost contact with her about 6-7 years ago. I was brought up on 7th Ave and 2nd Street in the 50-60’s. Hung out alot on Fiske place and at times 4th street. Some of my friends included Billy Turbert, Robbie, Donny Doell Teresa Anderson, Marie Dalessio, Sherann Spivey, Eddie Cavinee, Gigi Ouakil, Johnn Mareska, Bobbie Carbone, Lauralee Bratkowski, Kathy Hornidge, Clark McCullough, Joey Wichi, Soupy MacNamara, Eddie Karew, Carlos Montoya, Linda Hudsick just to name a few. Does anyone remember the little old man with the organ grinder and the little monkey? For a nickle you could crank the organ and give the monkey the coin and it would place it in a little can on top of the organ. I too remember the plane crash but I remember the little boy’s name as being stephen Baltz. Someone earlier had another name for him. I went down there and saw bodies everywhere, in cars, on the street – terrible. The church that took a direct hit was the “Pillar of Fire” church. How ironic to be called that. I remember the blast at the pier also. I remember all the movie threatres also like the Avon, Sanders, and the little one on Garfield Place between 5th and 6th Avenues. You all brought back great memories and for that I thank you all.
Good Morning Gloria –
I just spoke to Marie (Frevola) Aversano’s daughter Maria.
Of course she remembers you and looks forward to catching up.
Marie recalled that you raised greyhounds and moved to Florida.
I will give you her contact information. Please email at:
[email protected]
I prefer not to post her personal information here.
Have a Blessed Day!
Hi Terry – Marie Aversano’s mother’s name is Sadie (and her father’s name is Frank) not Marie, but I think they’re related. There some relation between the Aversano’s (Marie’s family) and Maria Torre’s family – all from 18th St. Both Marie & Maria are Constance’s age they went to school together. Fran Bruno (Hi Fran how are you??) would probably know more. That’s my 2cents for now – got to get back to work!!
Karen
KAREN,
I THOUGHT SADIE WAS MARIA TORRE’S MOM. I WENT TO SCHOOL AND HUNG OUT WITH MARIA TORRE. SHE TRIED TO STEAL CHARLIE S. FROM ME WHEN WE USED TO GO OUT AND GO TO ST. ROCCOS. LOL LOVE TERRY
GARY,
I DO NOT RECOGNIZE ANY OF THE NAMES YOU MENTIONED. I THINK ANN BISCUTTI LIVES IN BAY RIDGE RIGHT NEAR THE VERAZZANO BRIDGE. IF YOU GOOGLE HER NAME IT MAY COME UP. DOES NOT HURT TO TRY. TERRY
Terry – you’re probably right. I’m going to look in my mothers old phone book tonight to try to figure it out or see if my sisters remember. Your Uncle Chubby would know too from the Parisi-Torre post. I don’t have time to look often, but when I do I get a kick out of this whole thing. It’s fun. Later. (How’s your knee?) Karen
Ter,
Funny you had mentioned Maria Torre trying to steal Charlie from you, she did the same thing to me with Eddie. I don’t know if you where there or not it was at Gays basement I think it was my birthday and Gay had a party for me in her basement> I remember vivdly she had left the party with Eddie, I wanted to kill her that night LOL. I know she married Butchie Cox I’m pretty that was his first name at least that’s what he was called. A real nice guy I went to JHS with him. well anyway I heard that they had gotten divorced. I think that the moved to some midwestern state. Couldn’t tell where she is right or even care. I’m so bad LOL
I guess you can’t talk the BROOKLYN OUT OF ME!
lOVE YA
JUDY
JUDY,
I WENT TO SCHOOL FROM KIND. TO 8TH GRADE WITH BUTCHIE COX. HE AND NEIL MORELLO WERE THE TWO SHORT BOYS IN OUR CLASS. THEY WERE SO ADORABLE. HIS FIRST NAME WAS MORTIMER. (I THINK THATS HOW YOU SPELL IT) HE WAS A BUS DRIVER. THEY DID GET DIVORCED AND I THINK SHE LIVES IN NORTH CAROLINA NOW. SHE REALLY WAS A NICE GIRL AND WE USED TO HAVE FUN GOING TO ST. ROCCOS. SHE IS RELATED TO MARIA AVERSANO WHO MARRIED EDDIE JOE ESKEW’S BROTHER.
LOVE TERRY
TER,
Yes, you are right, Mortimer is his name thought of it when I had already posted.
Neil Morello and I went together for a very long time. He was my very first boyfirend on our block 21st. Street. I know that Maria is Maria Aversano’s cousin. Okay I guess you say Maria is a nice girl, maybe to you but not to me I’ll tell you about it when I speak to you.
Love Judy
HI TERRY
PLEASE CALL ME WHEN YOU SEE THIS MESSAGE.
We finalized the reunions cruise – Oct 20th out of Tampa – Please call everyone and give them my phone # for the particulars – Cost about $450 per person (dble occupancy).
ANYONE ELSE ON THIS SITE:
CURLY REUNION IS A GO!!! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED – CONTACT US AND I’LL GIVE YOU ALL THE PARTICULARS – IT’S GOING TO BE A REAL FUN TRIP – LOOKS LIKE A BIG TURNOUT.
LOVE BOBBYANN
Gloria Leone LaRosa, I miss you all so much.I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you sooner,every now and again I look at the site,and was so happy to see that you were on. Everyone’s doing good,thank goodness.Glad to hear that everyone is fine on your end.How is uncle Tommy(buckwheat) doing? I’ll never forget when you were in from Florida and we were in grandmas house,and someone was changing Thomas,and he started to cry and says”I want buckwheat”,and I asked “whose buckwheat”and my mom answered with a laugh uncle tommy.Hahaha.I hope your both doing great,I really do miss all of you.Will check back soon,love to all Debra
Debra, I was hoping to hear from you. So glad you got back to me. All is fine here and glad to hear all is well there too. Uncle Tommy (Buckweat) is doing great Just turned 80 in March. Can you believe it ?and I’m not far behind. BobbyAnn told me she talked to you about the Curly cruise. Sure wish you could go, if not let’s try to keep in touch anyway. Yes I think a lot about the old times,.and we are so lucky we have such a great family and we miss all of you so much too.Where have the years gone ?Debra, please give our love to all your family and all our love to you !!!Keep in touch.
Aunt Gloria and Uncle Tommy
Hello all my park slope friends!!
I’m feeling sooooo overwhelmed and excited at this moment!!
This site was recently sent to me and I’m thrilled reading everyone’s
stories.
This is one of the Lentini twins(Annie)
I’ll be in touch with my sisters Louise and Susan too to let them know about this site.
I married a great guy Bruno. We own a hair replacement center and unisex hair salon in Brooklyn. I have two daughters that are now pregnant with their first child, making Bruno & I grandparents
for the first time!!
My sister Louise & I were in St. Rocco’s Corp.
We attended St. John’s on 21st St.
Lived on 22nd St. between 4&5th Ave. for 12 years and then moved
up the block between 5&6th Ave after that.
Did anyone mention St. Anna’s feast celebrated every year on July 26th. My dad Dominick, would let me pin the dollar bill on St. Ann’s
statue when the parade came down our block. I will never forget that. Mom Vera still lives on 22nd St. You’ll see her in church daily.
Well, I need to call the girls!!!!!
Ciao!
HI ANNIE, SO GLAD TO HEAR FROM U ON THE SITE. PLEASE GIVE LOUISE AND SUSAN MY LOVE. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR DAUGHTERS PREGNANCIES. I HAVE ONE GRANDSON ANTHONY HE IS 2 AND ONE ON THE WAY ANY DAY ANOTHER BOY. I LOVE BEING A GRANDMA. TELL SUSAN TO GET ON THE SITE. I SAW HER A FEW YEARS BACK AT A FEW SHOOTS IN THE CITY WITH MY DAUGHTER CHRISTINE AND HER DAUGHTER. I KNOW SHE LIVES IN SPOTSWOOD NJ . I AM NOW IN MANALAPAN WHICH IS NOT FAR AT ALL FROM HER. WOULD LOVE TO SEE U GUYS. GIVE MOM MY LOVE. HOPE TO TALK TO U AGAIN.
Hi Carol, I e-mailed the site to my sisters. I will talk to them today.
This is a great way to communicate with old friends. I’m happy to hear you’re a grandma already. Congratulations! Susan is also!
She has a grandaughter Ava who is 4 years old. She lives in Howell
N.J. How is your family? Please say hello for me. It would be great for the Lentini sisters and your family to meet one day and catch up!! We will talk again!
HI ANNIE,
I SAW YOUR MOM LAST YEAR WHEN MY AUNT MARIE PERROTTA PASSED AWAY. SHE STILL LOOKS THE SAME AND IS STILL SO SWEET. SHE HAD ONLY WONDERFUL THINGS TO SAY ABOUT MY MOM. WE TALKED FOR ALONG TIME. I THINK YOUR HUSBAND WAS WITH HER. WHEN SHE LEFT THAT NIGHT I THOUGHT ABOUT ALL THE NICE THINGS SHE SAID. HOW IS EVERYONE. I DID NOT REALIZE YOU WERE STILL IN BROOKLYN. I STILL GO TO SEE ANNIE SCHRALLI SOMETIMES AND TALK TO HER OFTEN. SO NICE TO SEE YOU ON HERE. I AM IN STATEN ISLAND NOW. STILL HAVE MY HOUSE IN BROOKLYN. CAN NOT LET THAT BROOKLYN GO. LOVE TERRY ANGELO
Hi Terry,
I do remember your Mom also. Such a nice person. You remind me of her. Soooo friendly!! How are you doing? I do not live in Brooklyn. Our business is here but we live on Staten Island for the past 28 years. Time passes too quickly. I remember hearing those
words from my parents and now we’re repeating them……Love Annie
I WROTE TWO TIME ON THIS BLOG ABOUT THE REUNION AND IT DID NOT GO THROUGH. THIS HAPPENED LAST MONTH WITH FRANNY BRUNO. WHAT IS GOING ON I SUBMITTED MY COMMENTS AND THEY DID NOT COME UP. TRYING AGAIN
JUST WANTED TO GIVE MY EMAIL IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN THE 21ST STREET REUNION. [email protected] COME AND JOIN US I AM GOING. LOVE TERRY
Hello all:
My name is Frank Mauriello; back then known as Francis or Franny (oh god!) My mother owned The Lourdes Shoppe. I recognize so many of the names and places from the old neighborhood.
Terry, I remember your mother and father so well; “Mike the TV Man” I remember you a bit as I believe I am a few years older than you.
I am a retired educator who spent 37 years in the profession. I was a teacher, principal and central office adminstrator over the years. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Jeanne Klepacki. She lived on 4th Avenue between 22nd street and 23rd street (right next to Lipinski’s dentist.) Jeanne is a retired pharmacist. We currently live in Manchester, NJ in a retirement community. Jeanne and I have two sons and one grandson.
Someone mentioned my sister, Bernadette. She lives in the same community as I do. She is still working in education. She is a Dean of Freshman Studies at Seton Hall University. She is married to a neighborhood guy, Anthony Manno (20th Street above 6th Avenue.)
Carol Mieli – you may remember my wife; she was and still is best of friends with Susan (Lentini) Spoto. Our two families are very close and I get to see all the Lentini’s from time to time.
I graduated St. John’s in 1962. Carol, I was in the same grade as your sister Pat. I remember your parents well. Your father painted my house many times. He had a guy working with him (name eludes me) who was a nice guy. If I remember correctly, your father always had a toot pick in his mouth (how do we remember these things?)
My father, Frank, was also very involved in St. Anna’s club. During the summer he ran a “fiest” business. He sold toys, nuts, candy, etc. At St. Anna’s fiest and St. Michael’s his stand was on the corner of 21st and 5th, right outside of Nat’s Cleaners. Being in the feast business, my father practically ran St. Anna’s and St. Michael’s feast. As a teenage, I worked with my father, going from feast to feast.
I remember my father spending hours in St. Anna’s club, playing cards. NO Sunday ever passed without a card game at St. Anna’s. I can say that the men of St. Anna’s were very good to my family. All of the Mauriello kids moved to New Jersey while mom and dad were still in Brooklyn. When dad died, my mother still kept the business going until she was 81. I know that the men of St. Anna’s looked after her. For that we are truly grateful.
In mentioning all of the buisnesses, you neglected to mention a pharmacy on 5th Avenue between 21st and 22nd Street. It was on the same side of the street as the present St. Anna’s club. It may have been called Drabinski’s, not sure.
By the way, do you remember that St. Anna’s was originally on 21St between 4th and 5th? The members of that club extended beyond the immediate neighborhood. I remember people like Tony Scarpaci (undertaker) and Johnny Bianco (jeweler) being members of the club.
I also remember my father talking about playing cards in Anacreonte’s Funeral home. They used whatever area they could find to set up a table. LOL
Someone, asked about Grace Cohen. I went to HS (Bishop Ford) with her brother Brian and saw him at a reunion last October. Unfortunately Brian is the only surviving Cohen, both Grace and the younger brother, Michael, are deceased.
The little shop next to Damico’s was actually Mike’s Bakery, before he moved closer to 20th Street.
Rocco’s Candy store was next to my house. Although it had the name Rocco, it was originally owned by his father Mike. It was truly a family buisness, as all the brothers (Rocco, John and Sonny) worked shifts as they were growning up. Yes, Rocco was nuts, but in a great way. He would give you the shirt off his back!
For the life of me, I can’t remember the name of the bakery on my side of the street, near 22nd street. It was between Cavallo’s Plumbing and Chamberlango Real Estate/Insurance. You mentioned going there on Sunday morning, but I also remembering buying buns on the First Friday of each month. Those of you that went to St. John’s may remember we all had to go to First Friday Mass. You were then allowed to go home for breakfast. That bakery was always jammed on those days.
A few of you mentioned Felix’s on 18th street. Do you remember the waiter and waitress that worked there??? I will give you a second to think . . . . . . . .
They were Connie and Chubby. Connie never wrote a thing down and never screwed up your order.
I could go on and on, but I will give it a break, for now. This brings back some good memories.
I have bookmarked this URL as a favorite, so I will be coming back to it from time to time.
Thanks for the memories!!!
Frank Mauriello
HI FRANK,
I CAN STILL SEE MY MOM AND YOUR MOM TALKING IN THE STORE. SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES. I KNOW GRACE AND MICHAEL PASSED AWAY. FRANNY, CAROL, JUDY AND MYSELF WERE VERY CLOSE TO THAT FAMILY. I KNEW GRACE SINCE I WAS A VERY YOUNG CHILD. WE LIVED IN EACH OTHERS HOUSE. I ALWAYS THINK OF HER AND HER FAMILY. I FOR SOME REASON ALWAYS THINK OF BRIAN AND THE FAMILY WHEN I HEAR THAT SONG I THINK IT IS CALLED A HORSE WITH NO NAME. I COULD REMEMBER BRIAN PLAYING IT IN HIS HOUSE AND IT JUST STUCK IN MY MIND FOR ALL THESE YEARS. IF YOU READ THE STORIES ABOVE WE ALL MENTIONED YOUR MOM’S SHOP. THIS IS A WONDERFUL SITE. IT HAS CONNECTED SO MANY PEOPLE FROM THE PAST TOGETHER. I AM REUNITING WITH ALL MY DAD’S COUSINS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WE ARE ALL MEETING ON A CRUISE. ALL THE 21ST STREET GUYS. THE SUARATO’S, LEONE’S ETC. FROM 4TH AND 5TH AVENUE. MY DAD’S COUSIN’S WHO TURNED THEIR GARAGE INTO A RESTAURANT DURING THE FEAST. MY DAD ALSO HAD A BOOTH AT THE FEAST. WHAT FUN DAYS. I ALSO COULD GO ON BUT I GOT TO GET OFF OF HERE. TILL NEXT TIME LOVE TERRY ANGELO THE T.V.MAN’S DAUGHTER LOL
Frank Mauriello,
Hi Frank,
Your mom and mine were childhood friends. My mom mentioned it to me years ago. I use to buy all my cards from your mom’s store I also bought my family bible from her in 1973. Your sister Bernadette and I were in the same class and were married on the same day at St. John’s. She was the wedding just before mine. I often think of her and the kids at school and the great times we had. Your sister was one of the smarter kids. Really loved school and to study. I know that she taught my brother Sal at John Jay because he came home one day and told me that he had seen her in the hall and said “Hi Berni”. One of the other teachers scolded him for it, but Bernadette said “I know Sal since he was a little tot in kindergarden”. He was really happy she was there. Please tell her I send my regards and if she wants, she can write to me at : [email protected] – Marie Enea Crispino.