Masone Family |
Golden Anniversary CelebrationApril 11, 1956 - April 11, 2006 |
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History | Communications | Location | Menu | Contact |
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Masone Family |
Golden Anniversary CelebrationApril 11, 1956 - April 11, 2006 |
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History | Communications | Location | Menu | Contact |
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History |
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When WWII broke out and Italy was dragged into hostilities by the Italian
fascists, it caught Giacomo and Rosa totally unprepared for the terrible
ordeal that was to fall upon them. With three children and an expectant wife, Giacomo was recalled into the Italian armed forces thus leaving a terrified Rosa on her own to care for their children Giuseppe, Tommaso and Francesco. As the Americans invaded Sicily in 1943, another addition to the family, their fourth child Antonio, was born as the Americans and their allied forces were advancing north to Minturno. The Germans made a defensive stand in the region in an attempt to halt the American goal of capturing Rome. They formed the now infamous Gustav Line, which stretched from Minturno’s Garigliano River through Cassino all the way to the Abbruzzi region’s Adriatic coast. The Gustav line and the ferocious German defensive stand, in fact, split Italy in two, causing the American and allied forces to halt their advance towards Rome. The fighting reached a stalemate and Minturno became a defensive position. The populace was ordered to evacuate; first to the mountains and then to a concentration camp near Rome. It was here that Rosa and her sister, Giovanna, received the terrible news of the death of their father Tommaso. He had decided to stay behind and guard their house but was mortally wounded by shrapnel and died alone among the Germans without the comfort of family. Rosa, her mother Marianna and Giovanna grieved at this tragic loss. Giovanna devoted herself totally in an effort to help Rosa the children and their mother, Marianna, survive the war’s onslaught, and with her help, they did! Even to this day Rosa and Giacomo’s family are grateful for the valiant effort and sacrifices made by Giovanna. When war ended in the spring of 1945, the family was reunited but destruction was all around them. It took the moral support and financial help of their American relatives to restore their home. Packages with clothing and other necessities never ceased to arrive to a grateful but needy family. Held incommunicado during the war, Rosa’s sister, Anna and her husband Francesco, brother Pasquale and his wife Augusta, worked to see the family thru the difficult period. The family of Rosa and Giacomo have always felt and expressed their deep gratitude for the love and unselfish acts bestowed upon them in this post-war period; their time of desperate need. In December 1945; great news! Giacomo and Rosa’s first female child, Anna, was born. It did not take long for another to arrive; in 1948, Giovanni made his appearance and in 1952, their last surviving child, Luciana, came into being. In 1954, Rosa’s brother, Pasquale visited Italy and came to the realization that the only way to help pull the family out of poverty was to find a way for them immigrate to America; but how? What could one do to help a family of nine with little children! Where would someone house so many people? The goal seemed distant and almost impossible. But Augusta, Pasquale’s wife, shared his vision and was determined that the family must come to America. She encouraged her husband by researching different American charitable agencies that might help, finally locating one called Catholic Family Welfare, an agency that helped families that lost their home and possessions in the war. The research and documentation process lasted almost two years, but the family finally received a visa, available under the U.S. Refugee Act, from the American consulate in Naples. Since there were no ships available during this period and the visa had a time limitation, the only alternative was available to the family was the Catholic Welfare Agency’s offer to provide a loan to fly the whole family at a discount rate and then allow the repayment over a two-year period. April 10, 1956, what a day! The family boarded a TWA four engine Super Constellation at Rome’s Ciampino Airport. The flight lasted sixteen hours with two stops; Paris, France and Shannon, Ireland. Using Trans-Atlantic flights for the purpose of immigration was virtually unheard of in 1956, but Rosa would not let fear of flying interfere with this eventful journey. With her rosary beads as her constant companion, the family took three rows of seats, everyone excited, not knowing what awaited them at the end this incredible dream-like trip. Landing in "the capital of the world, New York City", at Idlewild (presently Kennedy) Airport, the family was picked up by Rosa’s brother Pasquale and his daughter Paula. What the family didn’t realize was that this arrival was a news story, maybe because of the large family involved, TWA needed a human interest public relations story or perhaps, the family was the first to benefit from this type of immigration program. Regardless, they were all lined up for a photo session with a professional photographer who snapped away for a story that appeared in the NY Daily News. As they finally arrived in Stamford Connecticut, "Zia" Augusta had a gigantic pranzo (dinner) ready, which was well received since they were all hungry. The family of Giacomo and Rosa Masone enjoyed, with both gusto and thanksgiving, their first American meal. The next day, Giacomo and the older sons, Giuseppe age 20 and Tommaso age 18, were accompanied by their uncle Pasquale in search of employment and the were successful! They were both hired by the Cutex lipstick factory. Giacomo was employed first with a Minturnese contractor named Mariano Pimpinella, later as a laborer with Gull Construction, working to build Route 95, The rest of the children, except baby Luciana were enrolled in Rogers School. The family lived at 245 Shippan Avenue for almost 3 months before relocating to a two bedroom fourth floor walk-up apartment at 247 West Main Street in Stamford. They had to share a single "pull-chain" bathroom with the other fourth floor tenants. The dwelling was small for a family of nine but they were happy and everyone was pulling together to help financially. The family lived, and thrived, on West Main Street for more than two years but it was only a beginning. Pooling their resources and borrowing funds from a private person (no bank was able to extend credit) they were able to purchase a large two family home originally built in 1889. On December 4, 1958, Giacomo and Rosa’s family moved to 41 Lockwood Avenue in Stamford. These were probably their happiest times. The family was always visited by their many relatives and friends and the old Victorian style home was always filled with the joyous sounds of people, often sounding like Times Square; Giuseppe playing the radio, Tommaso his turntable, Francesco playing guitar, Antonio singing, and Anna, Giovanni and Luciana watching Felix the Cat cartoons on TV. But nothing lasts forever and between the call of the U.S. Armed Forces, marriages and college, the family began to separate and blossom out on their own. First Giuseppe married Angela Grossi, and then forced to leave her behind to serve in France for the Army. Next Tommaso married Virginia Zinicola soon after he was discharged from the Army, having served at nearby Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Francesco followed suit after being discharged from the Army Engineering Corps in Germany, marrying Filomena Conte. Antonio served in the US Army in Germany and married Maria Mallozzi a year after being discharged. Anna stayed behind but also separated from the family when she married Nando Stella. Giovanni took a different approach; he attended the University of Connecticut and after graduation married Nancy Scofield. Luciana (the baby) was the last one to wed; after a short engagement, she married Pio Palmerini. Today the family has grown so large that a "house party" is no longer possible. They simply could not fit. Giacomo and Rosa started this human roller coaster, and it continues to roll today. It rolls with joy, sometimes with pain and at times with anxiety, but it rolls nevertheless because 71 years ago in Minturno, Italy love urged Giacomo to ask Rosa’s parents, Tommaso and Marianna, a fateful question; "May I have your daughter’s hand?" One wonders if Giacomo and Rosa ever envisioned what was to come, that on April 11, 1956 they would take a humble family of nine souls to the USA which, with determination and hard work, would prosper and grow to nearly a hundred loved ones; today, fifty years later. God Bless Giacomo and Rosa God Bless America Antonio Masone, Sr. |
Communications | ||||
April 11, 2006* * * * * NEWS RELEASE * * * * *Masone Family Celebrates 50th Anniversary in U.S.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 1956 was a great and historic day for the Masone family. Giacomo and Maria "Rosa" Masone’s family of 9 had boarded a TWA four engine Super Constellation airliner at Rome’s Ciampino Airport the previous day and flown for 16 hours, with stops in Paris and Shannon, to land at Idlewild Airport in New York City; "the capital of the world". The Masones, as World War II refugees, were able to immigrate to the United States to rejoin Rosa’s brother Pasquale and his family in Stamford, Connecticut. Pasquale and his wife, Augusta, had worked diligently for years to find a way to bring the family to the United States and, thanks to the U.S. Refugee Relief Act, finally succeeded. The immigration by air of a large refugee family was newsworthy enough for the New York Daily News to publish their photograph (see attachment) with a short byline. The photograph became the family icon, and Giacomo and Rosa’s aspiration for a better life became reality. Starting with 5 carry-on bags and a loan provided by Catholic Family Charities for their airline passage, they worked for, lived and achieved the American dream. The now considerably larger Masone family will celebrate, on Easter Sunday, April 16th, their 50th anniversary as Americans. In the early years, the family made Stamford, Connecticut their residence. They first lived on Shippan Ave., then West Main St. They purchased their first home on Lockwood Ave., just two years after immigrating to the United States. The Masone family, now including the original 7 children, 19 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren has grown and thrived ever since. The original 9 family members are: Giacomo; deceased, 1980 Maria "Rosa"; deceased, 2002 Giuseppe; Stamford, Conn., retired from Pitney Bowes, Inc., 3 children and 7 grandchildren Thomas; Wilton, Conn., retired from Pitney Bowes, Inc., 3 children and 5 grandchildren Frank; Stamford, Conn., self-employed contractor, 2 children and 4 grandchildren Anthony; Stamford, Conn., retired from Clairol, Inc., 2 children and 2 grandchildren Anna Stella; Stamford, Conn., retired from Pitney Bowes, Inc., 3 children and 8 grandchildren John; St. Michaels, Maryland, Talbot County school administrator, 3 children Luciana Palmerini; Katonah, New York, Pitney Bowes Inc. representative, 3 children, 3 grandchildren * * * * * NEWS RELEASE * * * * *For additional information regarding the family, the celebration event and location or related details, please contact Jim or John Masone as noted above. |
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April 09, 2006Hi everyone:Just a last minute reminder regarding something we've just assumed but never actually advised anyone of ... dress! After talking to several "high ranking" members of the Masone family, it has been determined that the dress will be semi-formal. Just dress as if you were attending a Masone family wedding and you will all look MAH-VEL-LOUS! Hey, we've got to look good for the family photos, right? :-) We believe this event will help cement the extended family for another half-century. God, we are so fortunate to have you all in our lives. Another reminder, the press release will be sent out by John late in the day, April 10th with an 04-11-06 date to the following papers; Stamford Advocate, NY Daily News, NY Times, & Star Democrat. I still do not know who is contacting the cable TV station 12, but you'll figure it out. I will send all of you a copy of the one I send to the Advocate which will include the final text of the press release and the 1956 photo. That way if anyone has a different media outlet they want to send it to they can just forward the text and the photo image. Jim; please add the press release to the family website. Jesse has been editing a little surprise for Giuseppe, Tommaso, Francesco, Antonio, Anna, Giovanni and Luciana. Even we have not "seen" it yet. Love to all. See you all in just seven days. Uncle John & Aunt Nancy |
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February 11, 2006Hello to all the Masone family and descendants:I know it has been quiet for a while, but the celebration planning has not stopped, it continues with the help of Anna and Tommaso (the guy with the white hair that looks like Phil Donahue). Here is the latest: The location, time and menu (do not worry, you will like it!) has been decided; Luca’s Restaurant in Greenwich, Connecticut on Easter Sunday at about 2:00 PM. Of course, everyone, regardless of age (or lack of) is included. We all know it will get more than a little raucous, but hey, it’s not like we don’t know what that’s all about. Some of us still remember the Christmas eve gatherings at Nonno and Nonna’s when our Italian children would get their Santa’s visit before the “Americani” children because we wanted it to be different and special. (Then midnight mass at St. Mary’s, of course.) We have gotten a lot of offers for help from the "younger folk", so we had to make some quick decisions about who would do what. Here is what we have so far: Jim - Please place all updates and notices on his website. (Jim, please remind everyone of the web address.) Tony, Jr. - Please arrange for a (non-family) photographer so we can document the celebration without missing out on the festivities. (Of course, we will all share in the expense by purchasing those photos we want.) Rosanna - Has offered to create a POWERPOINT display of family photographs so please email her anything and everything you want to be included. By the way, does anyone have a really-large computer screen we can use???? I am attaching a digital copy of the photograph taken by the TWA public relations folks (on April 11, 1956) that was printed the next day in the NY Daily News, to this email. Jim, please add the photo to your website. Anyone and everyone – I have tried several times to get a hold of the Daily News to do a 50-year “follow-up”. NO RESPONSE at all. Very disappointing. Does anyone out there have a contact with these folks??? Marcia - Has volunteered to work with the Advocate to cover this event. Thank you, Marcia. If anyone wants to help, please contact Marcia directly. Special message to Tony Senior - We need you to write the first draft of the family "story". Everyone knows, and respects the fact, that you are a master “raconteur”. Please send me (John) your best effort! I promise to do my best job at proofreading. We need more volunteers for flowers, event favors (?), memorabilia, etc., etc. Let me know and I will pass your name along to “Martha Stewart” of the Masone family, Anna! More to come later. Love to all; John Or Uncle John, or Zio Giovanni, or Dad |
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2005Great News! Not one negative word was heard from anyone regarding our planned 50th AMERICA reunion. As a matter of fact, most everyone is excited at the prospect and many have volunteered to help.Since there will be many children of all sizes and ages, it was clear that we needed a flexible meal format like a buffet. Thanks to the hard work of Anna Masone Stella and Tommaso (Tom) Masone, it appears that a location has been established for the event. Luca’s Restaurant, 35 Church St., Greenwich, CT (203-869-4403) has agreed to provide a buffet style "pranzo" (meal) with wine, cash bar, etc., on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006. Most of us will recall that Marc & Marcia Stella’s wedding reception was held at Luca’s so we already know the food and Italian ambiance is outstanding. The date is set and we are BOOKED! Thanks, Anna and Tommy. Over the next several months we will be getting the menu and other details together, but please, put the date on your calendar. Our goal is to have every descendant of Giacomo and Rosa, and their spouses and significant others at this celebration. Nancy and John will be making calls and sending emails to get all of you in the "second generation" (ah, youth) that have volunteered their efforts to help with contract negotiations, photographers, media, invitations, flowers, etc., etc., etc. We will continue to act as the central communication coordinators and appreciate all of the great "vibes" and support we’re getting with this reunion and celebration idea. We love each and every one of you, especially our newest addition, Sophia Lorena Masone. More to come we’re sure. God Bless us one and all. Sincerely, John & Nancy Masone |
Reunion Date and Location |
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Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006
Luca’s Restaurant
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Menu | ||||||||
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Cocktail Hour Fruit & Cheese Table Chicken Wings Stuffed Mushrooms w/Crabmeat Fried Calamari w/Fra Diavolo Sauce Mozzarella Sticks Baked Stuffed Clams Barbecue Baby Back Ribs Eggplant Rolatine Appetizer Melon Prosciutto Pasta Penne Alla Vodka Farfalle con Filetto Di Pomodoro Salad Tossed Salad with Gorgonzola on the side Main Course (Choice of...)
Dessert Napoleon Cake Ice Cream Coffee Drinks Unlimited, Wine, Beer & soda Vegetarian and children menu available |
Contact Information |
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Email: reunion@masonefamily.com |