It’s been a goal of mine to get this book back online for a while now.

As I was looking over the files I noticed that Uncle Frank had written his editor’s note well over a decade ago, on my birthday no less, and I said: ‘No more waiting! Today is the day.’

I’ll be adding photos to accompany the text as time permits, so please bookmark this page and check back from time to time. Of course, if you have any images to share, or notice anything that needs correction, please let me know.

La la!
Darice Joy Pappalardo Pauselius
Daughter of Paul (Mary & Sal’s fourth child) and LisaJo
April 29, 2013

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Editor’s Note

This whole thing started when my sister Jean gave Mom a journal as a gift. Jean thought Mom might like to “jot things down” now and then. Mom decided to write her life story so that her family would have a permanent record. In typical Mom-fashion, she threw herself into this project, and filled four journals in about two months. Of course, each book had a table of contents and every page was numbered.

When the books were finished, someone had the bright idea that the story should be typed on a computer, so that neat-looking copies could be made and distributed to anyone who wanted one. My niece Gina and I were the only volunteers. Looking back, I realize that my mother is probably the best typist in our family, although she has very little computer experience. Why didn’t we just give Mom a computer and let her type her own d__n book?! Just kidding, Mom.

Gina typed one of the books in a couple of weeks. It only took me four years to type the other three. Thanks to Gina for her typing, and thanks to Michele for tolerating the hours that I spent in front of the computer. Most of all, thanks to you, Mom for giving us this treasure!

I’ve taken some editorial liberties with Mom’s original text. Most of the changes were made to eliminate redundancies and make the text more concise. I hope that I have improved the readability without sacrificing the flavor of the original writing. Of course the original journals are available if anyone wants to see them. As of this writing, most of the text has not been proofed, so if you find any errors, please contact me.

I hope you enjoy Mom’s story.

Frank S. Pappalardo
December 22, 1999

As I approach my 78th birthday, I thought perhaps an abbreviated account of my life might be of interest to “our” kids, our grandchildren, and yes, our great grandchildren as well.

Keep in mind that since I was the youngest of eleven living children, many events which took place at the time prior to my birth were unknown to me, and therefore out of my sphere of recollection. However, I will attempt to write and record the highlights of what I do know and remember.

Inasmuch as the society in which we live constantly reflects ongoing changes from year to year (and always in the name of progress), we become aware that these changes, whatever they may be, have affected us and continue to affect us in many different ways. Therefore, it is always interesting to take note and compare the many events and changes of a lifetime. We must agree that along the way as we experience these changes, we do learn and gain much knowledge from them.

I personally can attest that life’s experiences, with God’s help, can only improve one’s mind and character, as we are tested and challenged along the way to live by God’s wisdom and love within our home, our workplace, and among our friends, family and neighbors.

Note: In these accounts, my husband and father of our children is referred to as “Dad”.

My father, Vincenzo (James) Vecchio was born in a little town called Capaccio (near Salerno and Naples) in Italy, on November 27, 1869. He came to America in April 1882, when he was almost 13 years old.

I do not know anything about his parents, or who accompanied him at the time of his emigration, but I recall that he had a brother Henry (Enrico), a brother Diamond, and I believe a sister as well (name unknown).

In the family book of records that my father meticulously compiled, he mentions a Donato Vecchio, on whose identity I am unable to shed any light. In speaking of this book of the Vecchio family records, it is amazing to observe the concise order and the neatness of my father’s penmanship. He had a very strong determination and concern to keep an accurate account of our family records. He felt that this was vital and necessary to each of us, such as the details of our birth, including time, location, godparents, etc. The original book containing these records is in Johnny Mike (Vecchio)’s possession. Copies of the information involved can be found in a large white Bible, which I generally keep on the nightstand next to my bed.

Keeping in mind that my father lived in this country for almost nine years before marrying my mother, he lost no time to learn our English language and became fluent in mastering it. He was determined to learn the new and exciting ways and customs of this new country, America. He no doubt had natural talents and good aptitudes, in addition to the primary background of education, which he acquired in Italy before coming to America.

As soon as the proper time had arrived, my father applied and successfully became an American citizen. In marrying my mother later on, she automatically, by law, became a citizen of the United States as well.

It is the vast combination of the many diverse and ethnic people who have migrated to this great country that has helped it to grow and to prosper. And there is no doubt that our country has always afforded many opportunities and freedoms for each of us to enjoy to the fullest. As a result, there is a healthy balance of achievement and progress that continues on a daily basis, in answer to our growing demands. Our country has developed and grown to its present standard of greatness through the foresight and leadership of our founding fathers, by our sound government and its leaders, and by the contributions and allegiance of its American citizens.

To add a little information concerning my father, I would describe him as a quiet man. He was regarded by all of us in our family as a loving, generous, gentle, and protective father. Our security, care, and daily needs were always his first and foremost priorities. As an example, each evening at dusk, I can remember him going from room to room, lowering the shades on all the windows, making sure no passersby would have the opportunity to look in on his family. He did not want his family’s security or privacy jeopardized in any way.

He was meticulous in his dress, as well as carrying out any of his responsibilities at home or at work. He was not the outgoing person (as my mother always was), but he was always careful to exercise caution, courtesy, and respect in all of his social contacts and relationships.

You will find a more detailed account of my father’s characteristics of personality and some background of him discussed more fully in the chapter entitled “Very Early Years in New York City“.