Italians of San Antonio, 2004 ed

146 Pages·2016·9.59 MB·English

ITALIANS OF SAN ANTONIO

Frank Pantuso

COVER PICTURE BY FATHER GUY BLAIR, PASTOR SAN FRANCESCO DI PAOLA
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ITALIANS

OF

SAN ANTONIO

FRANK PANTUSO

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TO MY PARENTS

NICOLA & RACHELINA
PANTUSO

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Acknowledgements

The support of my family has been a source of inspiration to me. My wife Virgie and our
children, Ginny, Cathy, Ann, Frank and Judy supply all the love and support I need to
ensure a positive attitude about the entire project.

Ginny has been the one to supply her knowledge and expertise on the English text. She has
read the text many times in her effort to keep my words flowing in their proper order.
Many changes are made which keeps her in a constant state of apprehension.

Cathy and her husband Dave Hazzard are the computer experts. The copy of each photo
requires a knowledge that is absolutely essential to complete this work.

Judy has been able to fill the voids when Cathy and Dave are not readily available. She
ensures a continuous availability of computer knowledge to a father that is impatient and
unable to program his time in a wise manner. She is available to me between changing
diapers and preparing for another addition to her family.

I continually remain in a state of amazement when granddaughter Amanda Pantuso
contributes her share of support on the use of the computer. Her expertise has been wisely
used to finalize the work before printing.

My Brothers, Joe and Philip, and their families have been very encouraging and
supportive about this work.

TO ALL FAMILIES SHOWN IN THIS WORK, I AM GRATEFUL AND HONORED THAT THEY HAVE
PARTICIPATED IN THIS ENDEAVOR. MY GRATITUDE IS DEEPLY FELT IN THE PROUD
LEGACY OF OUR ITALIAN HERITAGE. YOUR BEING THERE WHEN NEEDED IS REASSURING
AND REWARDING AS WELL. YOUR UNFAILING SUPPORT ENSURES A RECORD THAT WILL
STAND THE TEST OF TIME. MY INTENT TO RESPECT YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS,
ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE THIS INFORMATION WILL RECIEVE, AND YOUR
ACCEPTANCE OF THESE FACTS WITHOUT SECOND THOUGHTS GIVEN TO THEIR USE AS
SHOWN, CONFIRMS YOUR SUPPORT.

Main Library personnel have been available to locate any record needed to continue the
work. Typical of this help is Mr. Matt DeWaelsche, Assistant Manager of the
Texana/Genealogy Dept..

Cherise Bell, City of San Antonio Historical Record Preservation Center, asked if I was
interested in expanding the first book about our Italian Community. Her request provided
the needed spark, to attempt another effort, and successfully bring our Italian legacy to
the attention of a population as diverse as that of San Antonio.

Father Blair, pastor of San Francesco di Paola Church, has been a pillar of support and
positive instruction when required to help smooth and straighten the path.

Bobby Corbo has offered the use of his office equipment, material, and supplies. This is
further confirmation of his generous spirit and unfailing support.
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My cousin Blase and his wife Ann have been very helpful with their support.

Jeffery Dockery has been helpful by his perseverance in the solution to a problem in a
computer program. The entire program was in jeopardy, and I am grateful for his time
and effort in the finding the solution.

Al and Annie LaMacchia have been extremely supportive. Their effort in many phases of
the development of this work has been heart warming. Their knowledge of Italy, along
with the many stories about their trips have made me feel very comfortable in my attempt
to capture the spirit of life

"SPECIAL NOTE:" This work is not intended to embarrass, or discriminate against any
individual where a lack of entry, or a dual entry is shown in the spouse category, or if a
death has occurred. The official statistics are available to anyone desiring to know those
answers. A respect for a long marriage such as ours, speaks for itself, and can be found in
the love of the marriage.

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The Italian Community of San Antonio Texas

This effort to piece together the historical record of a people emeshed in the growth of a
city, is an attempt to provide some history before the ravages of time further dilute its
contents.

The known contributions, made in more recent times, are all part of a more
comprehensive record available through other sources. The more definitive record being
lived daily, can and will speak for itself, as times progresses. This then, is the record, as we
the children of our forefathers provide some insight into the lives of our families in their
early years of residing in San Antonio.

Their lives were indeed of a very strong moral fiber and their civic impact has been an
enviable record known to very few of the general population. A large contribution to this
record made by the parents of those of us, first generation born Americans, is a matter of
great pride.

The heritage passed on to us, has and will continue to be the source of our strength. Our
efforts, by example and deed, have been given to our children to further strengthen being
American citizens.

The Italian community consisted of people that were predominately from the southern
part of Italy, in the Provence (county) of Cosenza, below Naples. The exodus took place
mostly in the latter half of the 19th century. Ellis Island, in New York, is generally accepted
as the point of entry for those who settled in San Antonio. In their efforts to better their
lifestyle, America was considered to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Many of
their compatriots, who had started to make their niche in the new world, provided the
necessary support to vouchsafe their entry into the United States.

The Italian language spoken, among the locals, was a dialect from Calabria, Italy. It was
commonly referred to as "Calabrese". This dialect was used by the vast majority of the
local group, in their native Italy, where many dialects were spoken. It was used here in
San Antonio as well.

Frank Pantuso

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"CONTENTS"

PART I PART II

1 Pasquale & Marie Falbo 1
2 Guiseppe & Rosina Monaco 2
3 Al & Annie LaMacchia 2a
2 Pasquale & Rosa Monaco 3
3 Luigi &Alma Paletta 4
4 Vito & Frances Ponzio 4a
5 Luigi & Rachelina Turano 5
6 David & Carmelina Higuera 5a
7 Bill & Dorothy Giammona 5b
8 Salvatore & Michelina Granato 6
9 John & Rose Granieri 6a
10 Francesco & Rosa Talerico 7
11 Fred & Madeline Jowdy 7a
12 Guiseppe & Emilia Lecocke 8
13 Ventura &Teresina Talerico 9
14 Rudolph & Victoria Terrazas 9a
15 Eugenio & Mariangela Rizzo 10 10a
16 Antonio & Maria Magaro 11
17 Pete & Helen Magaro 11a
18 Guiseppe & Victoria Pantusa 12
19 Emilio & Trinie Greco 13
20 Louis & Alice Greco 13a
21 Sam & Yolanda Morello 13b
22 Barrett & Emily Proctor 13c
23 Michelle & Elvira Rizzo 14
24 Paul &Vincenza Dobrowolski 14a
25 Biaggio & Rosina Monaco 15
26 John & Velma Monaco 15a
27 Ralph & Mary Monaco 15b
28 Sam & Mary Monaco 15c
29 Luigi & Fiorina Guido, Sr 16
30 Cosmo & Antoinette Guido 16a
31 Malcolm & Virginia McDaniel 16b
32 Louis & Tootsie Guido Jr 16c
33 Pie Rennecker & Stanley Pisano 16d
34 Francesco & Saveria Guido 17
35 Gino Guido 17a
36 Nicola & Rachelina Pantuso 18
37 Frank & Virginia Pantuso 18a
38 Joesph & Joan Pantuso 18b
39 Philip & Marjorie Pantuso 18c
40 Tomaso & Annunciata Sirianni 19
41 Salvatore & Fiorina Pantuso 20
42 Blase & Ann Pantuso 20a
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"CONTENTS"

PART I PART II

43 Nicola & Rosa Pantuso 21
44 Guiseppe & Maria Bolner 22
45 Clifton & Rosalie Bolner 22a
46 Harvey & Peggy Penshorn 22b
47 Salvatore & Elvira Greco 23
48 Sam & Kathy Greco 23a
49 Gaspare & Rose DiPaola 24
50 Francesco & Julia Castiglione 25
51 Luigi & Angelina Tocci 26
52 Isidoro & Maria Calo 27
53 Michele & Madeline Pantuso 27a
54 Goffredo & Marianna Gerodetti 28
55 Flavio & Anita Gianotti 29
56 Joseph & Palmira Uvietta 30
57 Frank & Martha Trabucco 31
58 Giovanni & Rose DiFilippo 32
59 Richard & Mary DiFilippo 32a
60 Lawrence & Sandra DiFilippo 32b
61 Antonio & Maria Pantuso 33
62 Sam & Angelina Feola 33a
63 Carlo & Florence Bollini 34
64 Soloman & Annie Casseb 35
65 Egidio & Rosa Granato 36
66 Michele & Emilia Narciso 37
67 Ben & Florence Corbo 37a
68 Robert & Rosana Corbo 37b
69 Guiseppe & Asunta Talerico 38
70 John & Annie Pantusa 38a
71 Salvatore & Gudetta Pantusa 39
72 Carmine & Vienna Alfano 40
73 Sam & Rose Alfano 40a

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Note: Each family shown in Part I: IMMIGRANTS/FAMILIES will be identified
by a number. (i.e) FAMILY REFERENCE 18. This number identifies each family
completely. Information and/or photos shown about this family will be part of this
number.

Each family shown in Part II: PROGENY-LEGACY will be identified by a
number. This number will be based on a system to connect this family to a family
in Part I. (i.e) FAMILY REFERENCE 18a, FAMILY REFERENCE 18b, etc.
This will allow and establish continuity between immigrant families in Part 1 and
their children's families in Part II.

EXAMPLE:

PART I

IMMIGRANTS AND FAMILIES

FAMILY REFERENCE 18

NICOLA & RACHELINA (TURANO) PANTUSO

PART II

PROGENYAND THE LEGACY

FAMILY REFERENCE 18a

FRANK & VIRGINIA (JOWDY) PANTUSO

PART III

RANDOM PHOTO'S AND NOTES

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