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
Hello all I am the second to youngest of Big Nick and Diana. it is wonderful to read about all the places I remember from my childhood. I remember so many of you from the neighborhood, I want to thak you all for the kind words you have left about my parents and family. My sisters told me about this Blog and i have spent the last few hours smiling.
To the Oliva family please accept my condolences on Jeanies passing, Im sorry I was unable to attend the wake I tried but was sick, I spoke to Paulie and expressed my condolences. I remember her and Edithann laughing all the time. Paulie I miss you Brother keep in touch. It is great reading all the memories from the past.
Hello to Gina:
It’s me Laura your……cousin always. How are you, heard you moved to S.I. —good choice. I read something about Elisa and Richie, what happened. I hope nothing bad. Anyway how is mom and the family. How’s Rose Marsella, hope all is well with her. It is so unbelievable to hear from so many of the old crowd.
We must have a reunion someday. It would be a blast.
Hi to Marie Aversano:
Remember me. Laura LaTorre from St. John the Evangelist.
To Judy Occhiogrosso:
Hey, It’s me Laura, Joe Marsella’s ex-wife. Remember me. I am so amazed at how many of the old crowd logs onto this site. What a wonderful idea. We must have a reunion someday.
GARY – Hello
I don’t think I know you…. and I am not sure if I know Ann Biscuiti,
but I respect your quest to find her.
Have you tried the contact info below? I got it from whitepages.com
Hoping this brings you closer to your reunion with Ann. If the phone doesn’t work, perhaps you can send a note to the address.
Sincerely wishing you a successful reconnection…..
Anna Biscuiti (home)
7500 Fourth Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11209-3237
(718) 836-7320
To Nilda: I am so sorry about what happened to your sister. It is a tragic story. Look forward to seeing you at the reunion. I don’t know if I remember what you look like but I’m sure we’ll find each other.
Debbie, Karen & Gina
I was just looking thru some old pictures….and found pictures of Gina’s christening….your Mom dressing her and then holdiing her and one in St. John’s with Gina, your Mom and Sal, there is also one around a cake…I wish I knew who the one was in the front…with big smile, you or Karen??? and it looks like the Lentini twins…as I said earlier on here, they lived a few doors down from me…but there you all are no more than 4 or 5 years old….It sure was a surprise when I found those…..seeing your Mom has brought many memories of those times….your Father had a hand in my dating Sal….
Ralph
I was looking for the pictures in your basement, but can’t find them, I know I have to have them somewhere…
let me know when your going to be in Bellmore again….you did bring back another name for me, Anna, and if you still see Bubbie (Alex) tell him I just read what he wrote in my yearbook and tell him hi……we were friends back then even before 6th ave…
Hi to everyone I know on this site and anyone else who is enjoying this site as much as I am.
To Gina Bonavita,
Graceanne asked me to send you her website so that you could be intouch with her. It is [email protected]. and I am going to send her this site too.
Caio,
Carolyn Riches , Pinky’s sister :):):):)
ralphie and pinky thanks for anna’s last name, but i think i’m talking about another anna. pinky i mentioned above a guy named billy powers, and he mentioneda girl named pinky, i thinking it is u how many pinkies are there in park slope let me know if u know him and thanks again. ralphie, i remember your grandmohter fanny lagreca and your mom rosie. my mom connie was good friends with them. i remember we used to sit with them in the back of the store and listen to all the neighborhood gossip. i remember your brother joey and did u have a sister lisa. was that her name. patsy, i’m not sure yet what i’m bringing to the reuion yet, will talk to terry and let u know don’t stress about it, we have time. get stephanie on. ove to all. susan lentini please give your mom a big hug and kiss for me. i remember going to your house, i can still see your mom in that little sitting room saying her rosary god bless her. hope to see u at the reunion in sept. i have been so busy with my grandchildren hepefully soon i’ll get my life back. i don’t know if i told u i am now living in manalapan and my son is in freehold., christine is still with me, but will be moving to brooklyn soon. she hates jersey and all of her friends and boyfriend are in brooklyn. well, that will give me an excuse to visit brooklyn more. patsy if u hear of any apartments for chris let me know, put the word out. thanks.
Hi LAURA MARSELLA
Not sure if you remember me Franny Bruno (Eskew) – 20th St/5th, friends w/Terry Angelo, Carol, etc.. and from BRHS. Glad to
see you here. Sorry to see that you too are a member of the “Neighborhood Ex-Wives Club”
There is a Reunion at Terry Angelo’s (Sherman) house 9/21 (not for ex-wives – but for the ‘Park Slopians’ 🙂
If you email me at [email protected]
I can send you a Flyer. Wishing you the best!
HI AUNT CAROL I WILL DEFINITYELY KEEP AN EAR OUT FOR AN APARTMENT FOR CHRIS. I WILL ASK A FEW PEOPLE I KNOW IN REAL ESTATE. LOVE YOU TALK TO U SOON 🙂
TONY MEI NOT SURE, BUT WERE U MARRIED TO MARIE PANZA FROM 7TH AVE AND 22 ST ?
Hi Nilda..
Thanx for getting back to me…I seem to remember meeting a Donna, a friend of Maryann’s from her block…I met a few people….but, ya gotta remember, we were quite young….it was in the mid to late sixties….we graduated from St. Johns in 1972. I was at her house very often, slept over on occassion. I loved her mom and dad..they were great people. I’m looking forward to hearing from Donna…Thanx again…
Debbie
Hi everyone. I grew up on 21st St between 4th & 5th aves. (219). I am 65 yrs old and retired from being the chief carpenter of the Empire State Building.So many names I remember, but also it has been so many years.
Lucia – It was great talking to you. Have to get together. Please keep in touch.
Nilda – cant wait to see you 9/21. Are you still cutting hair?
Clara – So glad you enjoyed the C.D. So many, stories about Rocco’s candy store.
Bonavita’s – Your dad was my manager for St Johns baseball team (1956-1957)
Franny – How is everything? Looking forward for 9/21.
Rizzo – You were one of the better quarterbacks of the neighborhood.
I just want to say good morning to all, Glad to see that everyone remeber so much from when we grew up , Hanging out on 21 Street and 5 ave in front of Roccos candy store. I have Pic’s from when we use to go to Charlie Brown for the holiday. Denise,Debbie(Duck),Joyce, Karen and the guys of cause. So for all who Know My friend Denise keep her in your pray , She just lost her son Frankie and is in alot of pain she told me.Shee need alot of prays. Thank you…
Have a great day all.Annie
To Ralph Surato:
Do you remember me. We lived on the 3rd floor at 664 6th ave.
I lived next door to you and your wife Marie. I used to babysit your son at that time. Many years ago. My sister is Anna Marie and my mom was Mary. What a wonderful site this is, I am overwhelmed with all the memories.
Laura (LaTorre) Marsella
PATSY,SO GLAD TO HEAR YOU WILL BE AT REUNION SOOO! EXCITED. MY SISTER ROSA WILL BE THERE AM TRYING TO GET MY BROTHER, ANGELO TO COME. BY THE WAY I ALSO HAVE A NICOLE WHO IS 29,AND VANESSA,22. FRANNY, I OFTEN TAKE A MINUTE TO AS YOU SY SMELL THE FLOWERS. ISINT IT AMAZING HOW DIFFERENT THNINGS BECOME WHEN YOU GO THRU SOMTHING LIKE WE DID. IT MADE ME STRONGER HOW ABOUT YOU.BLESS YOU! STEVEN K. YOU ALSO SOUND FAMILIAR BUT I CAN,T PUT MY FINGER ON IT.
ANTHONY OLIVA IS JAMSEY COMIN TO THE REUNION? TELL HIM I ‘M TRYING TO GE ANGEL TO COME.HI CHRISTINA(TWIGGY). HI GERALDINE, ROSA WILL BE GLAD TO SEE YOU SIGNED ON.
HI ALL ALL THESE COMMENTS AND IT IS ONLY A LITTTLE AFTER LUNCH TIME. AM I THE ONLY ONE WORKING. I HOPE NOT. I LIVE BY “WORK SUCKS, BUT I NEED THE BUCKS” LOL HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL AND KEEP SMILING 🙂
Hi Laura,
I do remember you well. It’s been a long time. Marie and I have’nt been together for 16 years. I remember when you babysat for us. Anthony has been gone since 1976. So I know what how everyone who lost a loved one feels. You are in my prayers.
Hi Patsy Mieli,
Remember me? We hung out together when we were young teens – my memory isn’t what it used to be. Glad to see that you’re happy and doing well. I remember your grandmother too!
Hi Geraldine Oliva,
I told my sister Marianne that you were on here. You were the first one she asked about! Glad to see that you’re well.
Hi Rosalind,
It’s nice to see that you and your sisters are doing great. My sister Marianne asked about you guys.
Steve K,
Thanks for being such a PAL!
I’m addicted to this site. Everytime I go on I find something that I missed. Saw the name Henry Chapla. Went out with him for a couple of years. First love you might say. Boy did you break my heart, Henry….but I forgive you (lol.)
PATTY NEGRI. WOW. LONG TIME, GIRL. I REMEBER BEING UP IN YOUR HOUSE, LISTENING TO MUSIC. YOU’RE AUNT CAROLINE WAS A GEM. WE HAD SOME GOOD TIMES TOGETHER. I HEARD YOU LIVE IN ARIZONA. I HAVE RELATIVES OUT THERE. I HEAR IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL THERE. I AM STILL IN BROOKLYN (BAYRIDGE). ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO THERE. ANYWAY THANX FOR THE SHOUT OUT. HOPE WE TALK AGAIN SOON 🙂
Hi Laura,
I certainly do remember you. I was just looking at some old St. John’s pictures and your were beautiful (I’m sure you still are).
It’s so nice to be in touch with everyone.
To All,
I look at the times of the postings and I am compelled to ask:
“DON’T YOU PEOPLE SLEEP?”
Hi sister in law Frannie,
Love you!
I really don’t think I can make the reunion, it’s Emily’s third birthday.
As she would say ” I not a baby anymore!”
Grandchildren are the absolute BEST!!!!! My heart hurts just thinking about them.
hi laura,
i remembr you how are you, so many years have passed and its hard to place everyone, hope you can make it to the reunion my sister’s and i will be there maybe you remember them carol, maria and joyce we lived on 5th avenue bet 21 and 22nd st.
to donnie suarato
hello from all the castaldo girls and mom says hi too
Theresa and Rosa– What ever happened to Boopaneil (spelling)?
I loved that guy. Wasn’t he your cousin or your mothers cousin? I remember he was always so fond of my mother.
I would love to see Angelo, and yes Jamesy is coming.
Patti Negri-Hello again- Where’s Rita?
Maria: Can you give the class of 66 photo album to one of the Lentini twins to bring to the reunion?
Hi Rosalind:
It’s great hearing from everyone. I am so excited talking to all my old friends. The reunion is going to be outrageous. I hope to be at the reunion. And yes, I certainly do remember all of you. Those were the good old days.
Patsy Miele Kirk
No, I was not married to Marie Panza. My ex wife’s name is Dianne Wozny. She lived on 22nd street across from Jeanette and Sonny Gagliardi. She has a sister Helen and a brother Teddy.
Maryann
It was nice to see you on Saturday. It is a shame you can’t get to the reunion.
Ralphie (Marsella)
Like we talked about the other day when we meet at the car show at the college we can discuss the reunion.
Sally Ears
What was the last name of “Blind Johnny” who was always in your mom and dads luncheonette.
Take Care Everyone
Hi Vinny Bonavita,
Nice to hear from you. Been talking to your sisters on this site. Thanks for condolences on Jeanne.
Lori Angelo,
Did you stop cursing me? Funny comments about Seafarers from you. The things you remember!
Anthony Oliva,
You were always good , you intentionally bad, never! (Jamesy, any comment ). The Priests & Nuns were serious, especially in church……..you had to do it right! I commend you for being a alter boy and working with them………In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, AMEN!!!!!
See you soon.
To Annie and Louise (Lentini twins)
I know you both remember me, especially you Louise. Remember when Jim passed away. Your boyfriend at that time knew him. He was a great guy. Anyway, are you both going to be at the reunion. I am so happy that I fell onto this site. It was by accident and boy did I get a suprise. What a thing, who created it, hats off them. All my love. PS: remember when we worked at the army base after school. What fun that was.
Laura Marsella (LaTorre)
TONY MEI OK NOW I REMEBER I HAD THE RIGHT BLOCK BUT WRONG GIRL. I REMEMBER A TEDDY WOZNY. OK SEE YOU AT THE REUNION HOPEFULLY. TALK SOON 🙂
HELLO TO ALL-
RALPH SUARATO – you dont know me but im sure you know my mom boobsie from 22nd st 4th and 5th her father was jimmy shalabob the fruit peddler, im writing to you because i read, where oyu said you lost your son 1976, my husband used to go to school with your son his name is david he’s pinky’s son, and i remember when that happened to your son, i loved that kid i’am 3 years older than my husband and your son, but i used to tease your son he was the most adorable little boy may he rest in peace. i hope you and your family are well my mom, was good friends with your brother donnies wife pat. have a great day.
DENISE CRESCI i know we wont see you here for a while but im thinking of you…………
RALPH MARSELLA
I will scan in the photos and email them to you. My sister Debbie and I hope to make it to the Reunion.
CLOTILDA
Gina said to say hello to Fr. Paul for her. Where is your new home?
GINA PUGLIESI
Hello! How are you?
ANTHONY RIZZO
Hello from the Bonavita family. I sent a note to Rosalind earlier in this blog. Hope all is well with you.
KAREN DRITTO
Thank you for sending Debbie the info on the Reunion. She gave it to me when I saw her this morning. Hope all is well. I have such fond memories of your mother Mary when she was the 6th Avenue Crossing Guard. I spent many a days talking with her. Those are memories I will never forget.
RALPH SUARATO
I do remember you, Marie and Anthony. He was my sister Gina’s age. You guys lived across the street from my crazy house. I didn’t know you were on the baseball team my Dad managed. He was 24 yrs. old when he started with St. John’s. He was still active in the Church until he passed at age 60 in 1992.
MARY ANN
I would love to see those pictures. Sal was always clicking photos everytime you guys came over for a visit. If it helps, I was four when Gina was christened and Debbie was 2.
ANTHONY,MY MOM AND DAD WERE REFERRED TO AS BOOOPANILL& BOOPANILLA.
STEVEN KOZAR,I PULLED OUT OUR ST. JOHNS GRAD. BOOK AND THERE U WERE WE GRADUATED TOGETHER SORRY I DID NOT REMEMBER. I SUGGEST EVERYONE PULLOUT THIS BOOK YOU WILL GET A KICK OUT OF SEEING WHAT WE ALL LOOKED LIKE. OMG!!!!!
KAREN DRITTO,IAM LOOKING AT YOUR PICTURE RIGHT NOW ALONG WITH THE REST OF OUR GRADUATING CLASS. DO9 YOU KNOW WHAT ERVER HAPPENED TO DONNA RIETZ?OR CATHERINE PALADINO I THINK CATHERINE LIVED ACROSS FROM ME ON 21ST.
Terry Angelo
You got to remember me. Laura who married Joey Marsella, still am Marsella by name. What a site this is. Can’t believe the stories and all the memories. Wish those could come back. I am so beyond belief that I stumbled onto this blog. I will continue to chat from time to time. Please write back and let me know whats going on. So much to catch up on.
Karen Dirtto
Hi from Laura, remember Rose Marsella’s daughter in law. How are you.
Judy Occhiogrosso
Can’t believe I saw your name on this site. So many years ago and so many memories. How are you. Would love to see the old crowd.
Ralph Marsella
You better answer this blog or else. Would love to you and the family someday. Give my love to your mom. By the way how is Joey????????
Terry Angelo
You got to remember me. Laura who married Joey Marsella, still am Marsella by name. What a site this is. Can’t believe the stories and all the memories. Wish those could come back. I am so beyond belief that I stumbled onto this blog. I will continue to chat from time to time. Please write back and let me know whats going on. So much to catch up on.
Karen Dirtto
Hi from Laura, remember Rose Marsella’s daughter in law. How are you.
Judy Occhiogrosso
Can’t believe I saw your name on this site. So many years ago and so many memories. How are you. Would love to see the old crowd.
Ralph Marsella
You better answer this blog or else. Would love to see you and the family someday. Give my love to your mom. By the way how is Joey???????? Are you going to the reunion. I just might be there!
KAREN BONAVITA – tell gina that my husband and eddie vasquez are going to see father paul in about 2 weeks there gonna get together with him at his parish in queens ,we will say hi for her i live up the block from bishop ford im on 19th st between 10th and 11th ave ,its nice here im very happy because i got to stay in the neighborhood, i go down to 5th ave for my haircut to alberto, then i go see gio in the pizzeria, b.s, with him for a little, then pass st anna’s to see louie vivenzio, i dont want to forget hi vinny nice to see you here the last time i seen you i think was at gio’s pizzeria hope all is going well for you, your mom and dad did a great job with you guys but then again your mom and dad where great people, my dad was just telling me a story last night about how he was on a constuction job at a high school years ago and the workers where waiting for the cement truck to come, and my father hears dominick how are you and it was your dad with the cement truck lol, karen where do you live?
Hi Laura (LaTorre) Marsella,
How could I possibly forget you! I have soooo many memories of you, I don’t know where to begin. You had some sense of humor and very attractive – I’m sure still are. My mom told me that she would see you from time-to-time but not recently. You and Jimmy visited Frank and I in our apartment on West l3th. I was so happy for you. What a tragedy when Jimmy died. How did you move on with your life after that? Still in Brooklyn?
Annie and I are going to the reunion. Can’t wait to “catch-up.” Hope you’re doing great!
Here I am again. Does anyone remember Helen and her kids Mary and Raymond. I think their last name was Gonzowski(sp). They lived between 22 & 23 Sts. on 6th Ave. My mom was friends with Helen. I remember Helen always standing outside with rollers just in the front of her hair. She and her husband lived in the same building but separate apts. I had heard years back that Mary had hung herself in one of the landings of the apt and Helen found her. I also heard that Mary had been going out with a cop and found out he was married and that’s why she did it. Anyway, its a very sad story if it’s true. Does anyone know?
Hi cuz…
I don’t remember Blind Johnny’s last name!?! I do remember he could open any combination lock by just hearing the tumblers!
Sal
Karen Bonavita:
Good to hear from you. I always think about big Nick and the grocery store under aunt Rosi’s apartment. He was a big guy with a big heart. It saddens me to know how hurt you all are with the loss of your sister, father and mother.
The Olivas:
My condolences to all of you for your loss of Jeanne.
Laura Marsella:
Laura glad to see that you found this site. Lisa’s husband Ritchie died a couple of years ago. Lisa is doing OK but misses him dearly. Some more bad news-Denises’ son Frankie died on 8/11. She is doing her best to deal with this horrible tragedy.
To All:
We grew up in a neighborhood that gave us character, strength and compassion. We shared experiences of happiness, sadness and tragedy. It’s the neighborhood that gave us the strength to carry on, when we really wanted to give up. I am proud to say that growing up in our neighborhood is what contributed to who I am today. I don’t know about all of you, but not matter where you live today, it can never replace where you came from.
BARBARA SPENCER I WAS GOOD FRIENDS W/MARY FROM THE 22ST AND 7 AVE CROWD. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT STORY IS ALL TRUE FROM WHAT WE HEARD. RIP MARY G.
BARBARA SPENCER- when my husband and i lived on 22nd st 6th and 7th helen was our next door neighbor, she moved there after us she said her house was sold when her husband died and she went from apartment to apartment til she was able to find the one on 22nd next door to me her son raymond visited her often then her son from arizona had come to visit, but she had raymonds kids living with her ,they where adults she loved having them there i guess you can say it was company for her and yes i didnt know her daughter but helen often told the story about her daughters tragic end helen would sit on the stoop with rosary beads in her hand and her curlers in her hair and neighbors would pass by talk to her cause we felt bad for her, so i left that block three years ago but i was told 2 weeks ago helen passed away i was sorry to hear that
CLOTILDA AND PATSY: I am so sad to hear Helen passed away just a few weeks ago. I know she was younger than my Mom who passed away in 2000. I had to giggle though when I read she still had the curlers in her hair. At least she still wanted to look good. Very sad about Mary. It must have devasted her life.
oh my god i cant wait to come home and read everything. do you miss me? lol im on a cruise and got on the computer. i cant wait to read everything. LAURA TORRE MARSELLA HOW ARE YOU MY OLD TIME FRIEND. ALWAYS REMEMBER HANGING WITH YOU AS A KID. I GOT TO GO NOW TALKT TO EVCERYONE SATURDAY. I MISS THIS SITE I GOT TO GET A LIFEE EVEN ON A CRUISE I HAD TO CHECK IN TOO EXPENSIVE TO READ EVERYTHING
Does anyone remember Jimmy Hamburger- He used to deliver laundry for that laundry mat on the corner of 20th street and 5th – He had crossed eyes and he always wore jeans and a wool skull cap.
We used to torture that poor guy-
We would see him and yell:
JIMMY!! (then pause) -then yell – HAMBURGER!! It used to drive him crazy, he would chase us but of course he could never catch us.
TO CONNIE MIELE DAUGHTERS,THIS IS ROSE MARSELLA SPEAKING ,I USED TO DO YOUR MOTHERS HAIR EVERY WEEK FOR ONE DOLLAR,AND SHE WOULD CAME TO MY HOUSE EVERY MORNING WITH BUNS AND WOULD YELL IN THE HALL PUT THE COFFEE ON,AND WOULD ALSO BRING CRUMB BUNS FOR LITTLE RALPHIE ,I AM 81 YEARS OLD AND STILL CAN SLAP MY SON RALPH.
Clotilda
I will tell Gina. I’m glad you still live in the neigborhood. That’s a great story about my Dad driving the cement truck. He had so much fun doing that because he would get to see so many neighborhood people. He was such an outgoing person. I live in the Bronx near Riverdale. I have a nice 2 bedroom co-op with a terrace. I still miss Park Slope.
Gina Riches (Puglisi)
Oh my Father’s store in your Aunt Rose’s building. My sisters and I had so much fun up there. Remember our twirling days? We had so much fun.
My parent’s sacrificed so much for us as children and, we are better people for it.
This blog has brought back so many happy memories/feelings for me. It has made me realize how lucky we were/are to have lived in such a great neighborhood when neighbors were not just neighbors they were family. For that I am grateful.
Hi All! So my sister Terry finally got to get on. I left her a message on her cell phone and she got a chance to call this monring. told her she will need days to catch up. she was freaking out!
It is great to see how far this blog has gotten. i first got on this blog back in May and it has grown!!!!! I can’t wait to see everyone at the reunion!
Gina – Where did you move in Staten Island and where frrom. I’ve been out here since 1990. I have your number and will give you a call!