Giuseppe's Stories

  Giuseppe’s Stories #5 The Early Years: 1914 through 1917 What was life like for this growing family? Giuseppe and Caterina started to build a business. Since people would always need to eat, they decided to start a grocery store. Initially, Giuseppe sold produce directly from his wagon.  Very early each morning, Giuseppe went to Water Street and Fulton’s Fish Markets to purchase fresh stock. When he was older, Vito went with him to help. Caterina, a working mother, helped run the business while caring for her children. She was the bookkeeper. Caterina had the math genes in the family–a trait she would pass on to daughter Teresa and son Vito. My father, Vito, marveled over how she could add up a whole page of numbers in her head and never make a mistake! In 1910 the population of Chicago was over 2 million. How very different from the 4,000 souls in Gasperina! Giuseppe’s family was growing in a community of paesan’ --fellow countrymen–who forged bonds that would serve them ...

  Giuseppe’s Stories #4 : The Early Years: 1903 through 1914 Although he was not the first in the family to come to America–Aunt Helen gets that honor–Giuseppe arrived in Boston in July of 1903. He left his heart, Caterina, and la bambina, Teresa, in Calabria. He had plans and connections. There were cousins and former Gasperines in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. He had his documents in order as well as a sponsor, a little money, and a promised job.  These three factors were requirements for entry into the United States in the early 20th century. Most importantly, Giuseppe had self confidence, determination, and physical strength in almost unlimited quantities. He also had a very quick temper.  This story was repeated often in oral histories and in reminisces. We were told that shortly after his arrival in America, Guiseppe was involved in a fight with another man. The fight was vicious. Giuseppe thought he had killed his adversary. He fled to Chicago....