A Dream & Promise of Opportunity In America

John was born December 1956 in a small town of 3,000 people just 15 miles from Sicily’s Capital and largest city, Palermo. He was the 12th child of the13 his Mother gave birth to, 7 of which did not survive at birth.

The family lived in their home above the pasta store they owned. It was a happy life in too many ways to relate.

In June of 1966, John’s father died. John was only 9. The tragedy was unexpected, shocking and difficult for John’s Mother to make ends meet, so much so, that John’s Mother choose to place John and one of his young brothers in a Convent orphanage in Palermo. After 6 months she brought them home, saying “If we have to starve to death we will starve to death together.” It was all about family.

So the family went about surviving in many innovated ways. This included all the children, who also kept busy with chores, homework & playing, until the 1968 earth quake made them homeless. Eventually the family made it back to their restored home and set about to come to America to find a better life.

Some of John’s older siblings had already immigrated. Some decided to stay in Sicily. As an example, John’s sister, Fina, the oldest child, at the age of 13, entered the convent of the “The Religious of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd” Congregation. Over the years Fina served as its Mother Superior in Rome. The core mission of the International Order is to serve women and children at risk. She is still serving the mission in Sicily.

John’s Mother arrived in Brooklyn with John, one other son and one of her daughters. John was only 13 and spoke no English.

Part II of the story of the journey will be published very soon.