With parents, Rosaria and Fred

Rosaria and Fred both immigrated from Abruzzi Italy. During their engagement, Fred worked in the U.S. for 3 years before sending for Rosaria. They settled in Follansbee, W. Virginia and had four children. When Anthony was 6, they family moved to NYC to support their children’s music education. Fred operated a barber shop, first on East.17th St. and later on 349 E. 12th St.(1). Rosaria was interviewed by the Times News in 1953, “I didn’t dream for my children, I just tried to see they had as many opportunities as we could give them…To have a good marriage a husband and wife must work as a team. My husband and I work together for our children. What I have to do I do, and he does what he must do.”(2). Twenty five years later, after having 5 children of his own, Anthony reflected, “It is only when you have children of your own that you realize what your parents have done for you.”(3)

References:

1. NYTimes May 23, 1964

2. Times News, May 21, 1953

3. Boston Globe, Oct. 8, 1978