Aunt Mary
Not to mention the fact that she was a great cook, as most of my aunts were. And of course we had the “who made the best meatballs” discussion.
But I digress.
Profaci
For most of the 1950’s and early 1960’s Aunt Mary worked at the best bakery in Corona, Queens. She worked behind the counter and her brother, my Uncle Frank did the baking. One day, as Aunt Mary tells the story, Joe Profaci walked in with his two sons heading for the back. Apparently Joe was wearing a white fedora at the time.
Never one to miss the moment, Aunt Mary said; “There goes Charlie Chan and his two sons.” On his way out, with the boys cracking up, Profaci answered in Sicilian “You’re a real wise one.”
Andy, Aunt Mary’s boss came running out and said, “Mary, don’t you know who that was that you called Charlie Chan.” “Yeah, Profaci, the olive oil man.” Well, he was that too.
Profaci Family
Now as an interesting side note to this story is that around the same time, my dad was a photographer for the NY Daily News in Brooklyn. For many years one of his top subjects was “Crazy Joe” Gallo, who was a member of the Profaci family. Dad would take Joe’s picture often, usually on the steps of the county courthouse.
One day, probably in the mid 1960’s, Joe was coming down the steps and dad was trying to take his photo. Now Joe loved being in the paper and never had an issue with having his photo taken. This time, there was a guy who kept trying to push my dad’s camera away and not let him take the picture.
Finally, my dad got to ask Joe, “wha’t going on”, Joe replied, “don’t worry Nick, we’re going to take care of it.” The following week the guy was found in the trunk of a car on LI. Dad never knew the reason!
History of Naples Italy with Vintage Photos
I have seen a lot of people that whose ancestors are from Naples, or Italy in general wondering why they have a percentage of Greek, Spanish, Arabic or other non-Italian segments. DNA segments can potentially go back 10 generations. I’m not a DNA nerd, but I certainly welcome any comments that any one may have to give simple explanations. I have also seen people post that I know where I came from and I’m 100%
History of Campania Italy
I have been researching the history of Campania Italy for over ten years as this is one of the two regions that my family comes from. Both of my father’s parents are from Naples, and I have traced my grandmother’s family back centuries. I’ve been their once and hope to go back again soon. Both of my grand mother’s families are listed in the Nobilita Napolitana. The Caracciolo’s and Piromallo’s lived on or near Via
