Genealogy > Worcester Italian Genealogy/History

your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family

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Robin Patriarca:
My name is Robin Patriarca, I'm 42 and now reside in Northern Maine (there are no Italians here only French). My family is from Shrewsbury Street. My grandmothers maiden name was D'Angelo, she was Calabraise. My grandfather came here when he was 16 from Southern Italy with his parents through Ellis Island, NY. My father Larry Patriarca played accordian in the Perry Conte Trio for 25 years - 1960 to 85. Jerry Conte played bass and at one time Tony Casino. Al Lopez played guitar (he has an Italian name but changed his image to Spanish due to the Cuban influence on music in the 50's). They knew how to MC a wedding. Something you don't see being done very well anymore. I have kept up the traditional recipes handed down by my grandmother (food being so important in this culture). Weddings, there were many, my father being in a wedding band and all. Always the Italian ones were all homemade food, aunts cooking up a storm. Christmas Eve was a big deal, I remember that. My family was hearty, loud and fun. I miss them. I remember Derrico's Market on Shrewsbury St. and fresh cannoli's from Scano's. I remember my grandmother making macaroni, she'ld roll out the doe with a very long rolling pin and then lay the doe out on a homemade board with wires like a harp and spaghetti would form on the other side. Then she would hang it to dry on the drying rack. Being a musical family my cousiins were the D'Angelo's in rock band Mad Angel circa early 70's. These are a few of my stories what are some of yours?

Diane:

--- Quote from: Robin Patriarca on June 22, 2005, 08:29:12 PM ---My name is Robin Patriarca, I'm 42 and now reside in Northern Maine (there are no Italians here only French). My family is from Shrewsbury Street. My grandmothers maiden name was D'Angelo, she was Calabraise. My grandfather came here when he was 16 from Southern Italy with his parents through Ellis Island, NY. My father Larry Patriarca played accordian in the Perry Conte Trio for 25 years - 1960 to 85. Jerry Conte played bass and at one time Tony Casino. Al Lopez played guitar (he has an Italian name but changed his image to Spanish due to the Cuban influence on music in the 50's). They knew how to MC a wedding. Something you don't see being done very well anymore. I have kept up the traditional recipes handed down by my grandmother (food being so important in this culture). Weddings, there were many, my father being in a wedding band and all. Always the Italian ones were all homemade food, aunts cooking up a storm. Christmas Eve was a big deal, I remember that. My family was hearty, loud and fun. I miss them. I remember Derrico's Market on Shrewsbury St. and fresh cannoli's from Scano's. I remember my grandmother making macaroni, she'ld roll out the doe with a very long rolling pin and then lay the doe out on a homemade board with wires like a harp and spaghetti would form on the other side. Then she would hang it to dry on the drying rack. Being a musical family my cousiins were the D'Angelo's in rock band Mad Angel circa early 70's. These are a few of my stories what are some of yours?

--- End quote ---

Diane:
Hello Robin..........how nice to be able to talk about our Italian heritage! I grew up on Bell Hill. My name is Diane Morgan,however my maiden name is Bellione. I too, remember Derrico's market. I am 53 years old and went to Our Lady of Mt Carmel church as a kid. I grew up on Bell hill and as a really young child lived on Shelby St. Are you familiar with that area?? I used to love going to Derrico's with my mom and looking at all that wonderful food! I've lived in Calif. for the last 28 years and miss all the good traditions and foods of our heritage. Callif. has it's Italian deli's but nothing like the east coast. I now live in Missouri and there are not many Italians here in my neighborhood. OH well........I went to Gage St grammer school for one year. I am very familiar with Shrewsbury St. I haven't been there in many years so I'm sure things are different.  I always felt at home there. I remember the Italian Kitchen had very good food.I wonder if they're still there?? My mom was born in Italy. SHe is 84 and my dad is 81 and she still cooks her pasta on Wed. nights. I miss all the great food from the east. Though I must say I went to an Italian restaurant last week in Kansas City and the food was AWESOME! Good talking to you!
Diane Bellione Morgan

Robin Patriarca:
Hi Diane,
Nice to meet you. I'm familiar with Bell hill but not Shelby St. I remember the Italian Kitchen and have been there a few times in the 70's. There was a house on Hamilton St. where an Italian family used to serve patrons in there living room and kitchen! Besides my Aunt Lorraine they had the best Italian food I ever had. There is no Italian food where I live but I share my heritage with friends. My parents and grandparents are deceased now but whenever I cook those recipes I feel like there here with me. I've cooked Eggplant Parmesan and Annisette Cookies for two of my friends weddings and it was an honor to be able to do that. I loved My Big Fat Greek Wedding although they were Greek in this movie it was reminicent of the weddings and family gathering I went to as a child and they were loud like that. So much laughter and kids running everywhere. Good times. As children we weren't hidden. We went to all the adult parties in our jammies. With all the musicians in my family, there was always music and guitar jams. So much fun. My father's band would always play the "snake" song, Hava Nikea (don't know if thats spelled right). And sometimes they would play it at family parties and we'ld all hold hands and snake through the house and outside. I teach my children as much as I can about their Italian heritage. Their not in touch with anyone as everyone has moved away and we are here. I would love to go to Italy one day. My brother has gone and learned that our last name means the Patriarch or the father. Anyway, great to meet you.

Diane:
Hey Robin, I make Anise cookies every single Christmas, and my friends love them. I make the real soft ones, not the ones that you dip in coffee. Mine are the ones with the icing on them, do you know which ones I'm talking about?? Did you go to North High School? What grammer school did you go to????? By the way I have a sister that lives in Maine. She lives in Cape ELizabeth. Have you heard of it??

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