Rita

By Mary Restivo

At the time my mother Rita Liuzzi DiTuri, was one hundred and two years young she was alert and remarkably beautiful. Throughout the years she would tell us stories about her family and I often thought of writing her life story but it remained dormant for years. That is until one Sunday morning while we were listening to Italian House party with John LaBarca on radio AM 600. John was playing my mothers favorite Italian songs and she began singing along with the melody. Mom never had professional vocal training but loved to sing and continued to sing after the program was over. I soon became aware that she was singing a song about a young girl which was unfamiliar to me. When I asked about the song Mom smile escalated into a hearty laugh and it was infectious and I began to laugh along with her not really knowing why I was laughing. She explained that when her mother refused to buy her a new case for her books she whined and carried on. When her brother learned why she was behaving in that manner he surprised her with a new red bookcase the following day. She remembered how proudly she walked to school showing it off. Thereafter her brother teased her, as older brothers do, with a song he made up about his baby sister going to school with a red suitcase.

Mom often spoke about her family but without a doubt this cherished story about her school days motivated me to seriously consider writing her biography. I began to ask questions about my grandparents and information poured out like an open faucet. Bear in mind that my mother was one hundred two at the time and I was astonished by how quickly she remembered dates, names and special events in detail. Every afternoon thereafter, mom took me by the hand, figuratively speaking and we traveled back in time. This was truly the beginning and I had no idea what was in store for me. I was mesmerized by the romances, her childhood, hardships, sorrow and world events. Irrelevant but amusing was the fact that I spoke to my mother in English (since my conversational Italian was limited and she answered my questions in Italian and you can imagine the belly laughs when I mispronounced Italian names. Looking back, I was most fortunate to have had those precious moments with my mom.

It is a great pleasure for me to accompany you on this roller coaster journey into the past to the year 1856. Buckle up your safety device and enjoy the ride. I promise that together we will experience unexpected highs and thrilling lows, not to mention the countless bumps and turns as we venture along. Im sure you will agree it is a story about an amazing woman that must be told.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Aug 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781426982286

Mary Restivo

Author Mary Restivo’s mother, Rita DiTuri, was born in Bari, Italy; the youngest of eight children. After the DiTuris, Restivo’s parents, married, they came to the United States with the intention of returning to Italy in two years. Rita soon found herself in a foreign country where she did not speak or understand the language, dependent completely on her husband for everything. After five years in the United States, they were ready to depart when tragedy struck; their plans to return to Italy were postponed for the second time—and permanently. While in the United States, Restivo’s mother spoke often of her family, telling stories of sadness, happiness, and beautiful love stories intended to be shared. With intimate detail, Restivo recounts the stories of her grandparents in Italy and of her parents’ life-changing journey to the United States. She talks about the love of her parents for each other and of the life that she has built for herself with her husband, Charles. Through all of these heartwarming stories of heritage and tradition, the love of family proves to be the solid foundation for Restivo and all her family. Mary Restivo is a licensed insurance broker and has a master’s degree in social work. She is retired and lives with her husband, Charles, in Queens, New York.

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© Copyright 2012 Mary Restivo.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4269-8226-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4269-8227-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4269-8228-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011916813

Trafford rev. 09/19/2012

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER V

CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VII

INTRODUCTION

At the time my mother Rita Liuzzi DiTuri was one hundred and two years young she was alert and remarkably beautiful. Throughout the years she would tell us stories about her family and I often thought of writing her life story but it remained dormant for years. That is until one Sunday morning while listening to Italian House party on radio mom was singing along with one of her favorite songs and continued to sing after the program was over. I soon became aware that she was singing a song about a young girl that was unfamiliar to me. When I asked about the son Mom’s smile escalated into a hearty laugh. She explained that when he mother refused to buy her a new case for her books her brother surprised her with a new red case the next day. As older brothers do he teased her with a song about his baby sister showing off her new case.

Without a doubt this cherished story motivated me to seriously consider writing her biography. Every afternoon thereafter, mom took me by the hand, figuratively speaking and we traveled back in time. Information poured out like an open faucet and I was mesmerized by the romances, her childhood, hardships, sorrow and world events that impinged on their lives. Looking back I was most fortunate to have had those precious moments with my mom.

It is a great pleasure for me to accompany you on this roller coaster journey into the past to the year 1856. Buckle up your safety device and enjoy the ride. I promise that together we will experience unexpected highs and thrilling lows, not to mention the countless bumps and turns as we venture along. I’m sure you will agree it is a story about an amazing woman that must be told.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

With love I would like to dedicate this book to my parents, Rita Vita and Paolo DiTuri who taught me about love and family.

I am deeply grateful to my husband, Charles, who has supported me with extraordinary patience and love Also to my daughter Josephine Atamian, and my granddaughters who encouraged me along the way. .

I would also like to thank my sister, Isabella Considine and my nephews for their valuable contributions in recalling names and special events. I am indebted to my lifelong friend, Mary Renna who inspired and urged me to put this in writing.

The Author

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Mary Restivo, BR LCSW-R

Mary Restivo is a licensed Insurance Broker and has a Masters Degree in Social Work, LCSW –R, (Licensed Clinical Social Work)

She is retired and lives with her husband Charles in Queens, N.Y.

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Chapter I

ISABELLE LIUZZI FIRULLI

My maternal grandmother Isabella Firulla was born on December 7, 1856. In Conversana Bari Italy.

At birth the midwife remarked that she was the most beautiful infant she ever delivered. Iaabella’s complexion was creamy peach with distinct red apple checks. Usually with infants this diminishes but she was known for her beautiful complexion and rosy cheeks all of her life. Isabella was one of eight children, three sisters, Caterina, Saraphina and Annarella and four brothers, Frank, Joseph, Victor and a younger either who died in a fire.

The DiTuri family lived on the same block as the Liuzzi’s and knew Isabella since she was born.

Their young son Giovanni (John) was five years old when Isabella was born and from the moment he saw her he told his mother that when she grows up he was going to marry her. At the time it was a big joke but as he watched her grow into womanhood he asked his mother to arrange the marriage.

Isabella was seventeen and one half when she married twenty—three year old Giovanni DiTuri on September 12, 1874. They had three children, Antonetta, Anna Maria and Giovanni.

When they were married for ten years Giovanni had an appendix attack and was in excruciating pain. The physician lived in another town and by time he arrived it was too late. The physician explained that since surgery was not immediately performed it burst causing an infection throughout his body. Without modern antibiotics this led to peritonitis and left him in a critical state. Giovanni died on Dec 20, 1883 at the age of thirty—one and Isabella was a widow at the age of Twenty—seven with three young children to raise. At the time of his death my grandmother was considered financially secure and owned several farmland (terrain).

The liuzzi family lived in a nearby town called Martina Franco. When the city extended the highway they paid the landowners a minimal amount for their home and property. The Liuzzi family were among the many who lost their life investments. The loss resulted from this transaction was so devastating that they decided to move to Conversaano in Bari. Their son Domenico Liuzzi was my grandmother’s youngest son Giovanni’s godfather and when he moved to Conversano they saw one another frequently and a relationship developed. After an appropriate time Dominico asked my grandmother for her hand in marriage. Initially my grandmother refused because he was a blacksmith and knew nothing about cultivating her land. However he reassured her that though he knew nothing about farming he had the means to hire qualified workers to work her land. My grandfather was a single man and my grandmother, as well as others, could not understand why he would want to marry an older women who was a widow with three children. Nevertheless they married on April 26, 1886 when my grandmother was twenty—nine. After they were married they bought the adjoining property of their home where he established his blacksmith shop and became known in the neighborhood as "Ill Mastro,

The Town’s Master Blacksmith" I was told that my grandfather was over six feet tall and slender.

He was proud of his barber’s mustache and often stated he would rather lose a coin than a strand of his hair. He was a religious man and was often seen on his knees with his face to the ground praying. They had five children, Vito, Raffildo, Sylvester, Annette and my mother Rita, a total of eight children.

At the age of seventy—one my grandfather was diagnosed with arteriosclerosis He was bed ridden for three months and during that time my mother and grandmother cared for him. My mother said she panicked when he gasped for air and relied on my grandmother to administer the prescribed injection. Though many years have gone by my mother at the age of one hundred four remembered how he offered her his blessing that she live a long and healthy life. Prior to his death he motioned with his finger and explained that the Blessed Virgin and Jesus were in his room and his response to them was Sono aspetto per andare on voi ( I am ready to go with you.) Her cousin Victoria was present and it was a moment in time that was never forgotten.

My uncle Ralph who lived in Argentina, South America left as soon as he was notified of my grandfather’s illness. In those days the mode of traveling abroad was by boat and it took two weeks to complete the trip. When he met his brother in Naples he noticed the black tie and realized he arrived too late. I spoke to many who knew my grandfather and they agree that they adored his quiet and easy loving ways. My grandfather Domenico Liuzzi died at the age of seventy—one on June 14, 1928.

After the funeral my mother went into deep mourning and isolated herself in her room. She complained of stomach pains and difficulty breathing. Ralph agreed with the physician that a diversion and change of atmosphere would be helpful. Her brother rented a beach house and with much persuasion my mother consented to go along with his wife and three sons.

I never met my aunts and uncles and while my mother was discussing them I was confused and remember asking my mother to repeat herself.. Forgive me if I confused you as well and before I continue let me explain further who’s who. My grandmother Isabella was married twice.

During her first marriage to Giovanni DiTuri she had three children, Antonette, Anna Maria and Giovanni.. With her second husband Dominico Liuzzi she had five children, Vito Michael, Raffildo.

Slyvester, Annette and my mother Rita a total of eight children.

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Maternal Grandmother: Isabelle Liuzzi Firulli

Nata 7 Dicembre 1856

7 Novembre 1952

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Maternal Grandfather; Dominico Liuzzi

Nata February 20,1858

June 19, 1928

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Maternal Grandparents: Isabella & Domenico Liuzzi

Standing: Left Aunt Annette and my Mother Rita

Antonette Rago di DiTuri (Mom’s step sister)

Antonette married Vito Rago and lived in a near by town called Mola di Bari. He was a carpenter who made quality furniture by hand. My aunt was told she would never have children because her ovaries were undeveloped. They had three dogs, Fanni, Briezi and Bari and also a monkey. Their pets were treated like their children and accompanied them everywhere. They had their own private bedroom and my uncle constructed a room on his property to accommodate the monkey. When his beloved animals died,