Growing up in the Butcher Shop

By Joseph C. DeFranco

The DeFranco business started in 1926 by Philip and Teodora DeFranco. At that time the business was an Italian grocery store and butcher shop. After their retirement in 1976 they gave the business to their son Martin DeFranco who moved the shop from Roseto toWest Bangor Road,Bangor,PAwhere the business is today. In 1989, Joseph took over the family business and continues to compliment the fine quality of meat which his family once sold. Today Joe has made the company grow into a seven day a week business with catering services available anytime.

At J. DeFranco and Daughters we specialize in Italian Cuisine, but also offer a variety of other menu selections. We offer butler service, buffet style, country style service and we also will simply deliver your selections and set up your event. All of our orders are custom and will be served or delivered anyway our customers prefer. We have catered events as small as a romantic dinner for two and as large as weddings with as many as 250 guests and more. No job is too big or small.

Along with your catering needs; DeFranco and Daughters Catering makes our own gourmet sausage. Fresh Cut Meats, Imported and Domestic Cheeses, and Take-out Orders are available to you. Like to cook like an Italian? Our Cucina has all the Italian products you need to cook-up your favorite recipe, authentic Italian Style.

Upon your request we also design Italian Gift Baskets creatively Designed by Principessa Sirena. We would be delighted to customize a menu with your personal touches. Please allow us to make your occasions memorable. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479778430

Joseph C. DeFranco

Biography I was born on July 29th, 1956 on the Sunday of The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. I was christened the name Joseph Carmen DeFranco, which is the reason my middle name is Carmen. My father, Martin, is the son of Philip & Teodora ( DelGrosso) DeFranco. My Mother, Rosario, was born in Roseto Valforte, Italy. She is the daughter of Giuseppe & Clementina (De Avella) D’Avanzo I grew up in a Butcher Shop. The front of the house was the store and we lived in the back. So I have been always involved with food. I attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School and graduated from Pius X High School in Roseto. I attended East Stroudsburg University for a period of time and decided it wasn’t for me. I chose to work in various blouse mills in the community. By 1989 I was influenced by my Grandmother, Teodora, to own and operate a catering business and have been doing this ever since and now operate with my wife Joelene.

Book preview

Growing Up In

The Butcher Shop

Joseph C. DeFranco

Copyright © 2013 by Joseph C. DeFranco.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2013900811

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-4797-7842-3

             Softcover     978-1-4797-7841-6

             Ebook         978-1-4797-7843-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 03/18/2013

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

128933

CONTENTS

Growing Up in the Butcher Shop

Place of Origin / Luogo di Origine

Off to School / Via a Scuola

Mom and Pop Shop

Mamma e Pappa Negozio

Peddling Vendite

Neighborhood Watch

Hunter in the Woods /

Cacciatore nei Boschi

Rain Out Theater / Pioggia Teatro esterno

Patience

The Blacksmith’s Daughter

La Figlia della fabbro ferraio

Gravy or Sauce: The Debate Continues

Sugo o Salsa: Il dibattito continua

Sharpening the Knives / Aguzzare i Coltelli

The Cutting Block / Tagliare Blocco

Lemons / Limoni

Making Wine / Vino della creazione

When We Made the Wine

Quando abbiamo fatto il vino

We Call it Macaroni / Lo chiamiamo Maccherone

Coffee / Caffe Espresso

Man vs. Food / Uomo vs. Cibo

The Wooden Spoon

Il Cucchiaio di Legno

Customer Service

Road Rage / Ira della Strada

The Clothes Line

Linea dei vestiti

The Black Dress

Il Vestito Nero

The Fig Tree / L’albero del fico

The Garden / IL Giardino

Sunday Medals

Gone Fishing / Va Pesca

Ball Game / Palla Gioca

Happy Birthday Grandmother

Nonna del Buon Compleanno

Steadfast / Costante

The Fine Art of the Gesture /

La belle arti del Gesto

Salute—To Your Health

Growing Up in the Butcher Shop:

Thrifty to Utilize / Economo utilizzare

Growing Up in the Butcher Shop

Spaghetti Western

Growing Up in the Butcher: Small Spoons and Forks Cucchiai piccoli e Forchette

I would like to thank my friends whose contributions to my writings help make this book possible. Ethan Joella, Fred DeFrank, George Poidomani and all the readers of my weekly articles who tell me how much they enjoy reading my weekly column.

I dedicate this book to the memory of my Grandparents, Philip and Teodora DeFranco, and Guiseppe and Clemintina DaVanzo and my parents, Marty and Rose whose love of family, food and having a business in America and Italy continues to inspire me everyday. My daughters Julia, Jasmine, Olivia and Vanessa for their love and support. Grandchildren Tazio, Mia, Tatiana and Roman who help complete the circle of life and give me the opportunity now to show the love my Grandparents gave to me, and especially my beautiful wife Joelene, the Principessa Sirena (Mermaid Princess), who is my motivation and inspiration as we run our business and continue Our Family Tradition of growing up in the Butcher and Catering Shop.

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Joelene and I

I enjoy telling stories to my friends, reading articles about Italy, food magazines and cook books along with being surrounded by my grandparents, who have had the greatest impression on me.

All of this has inspired me to write these stories. It is my way to keep the old customs alive and so that the younger generation will have an idea as to the way life was then growing up in the sixties in a butcher shop. Also for the older generation to reminisce and remember when Roseto, was Roseto; not as it is today.

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The Butcher Shop on Garibaldi Ave. in Roseto

Grandpop with Aunt Theresa and Uncle Vince.

The Grandchildren

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Vansessa’s children Tazio and Tatiana

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Julia’s daughter Mia and Jasmine’s son Roman.

Wow, now I’m a Grandfather; I am Pappa Nonno.

GROWING UP IN THE BUTCHER SHOP

Ciao Amici,

B ORN IN 1956 in the town of Roseto, Pennsylvania I was given the privilege to be raised in the same home with both my parents and my grandparents. My grandparents Philip & Teodora DeFranco owned and operated a butcher shop and Italian grocery store right in our house. To this day the walk-in refrigerator still remains. Our Italian family days revolved around the business, preparing homemade food in the kitchen and enjoying our company at the dinner table. The family and the business was their passion. Being Italian immigrants from Roseto Valfatore, Italy, my grandparents settled in the Slate Belt to open their business to other immigrants looking for the taste of the old country.

My wife and I own J.DeFranco & Daughters Catering and Deli and are continuing the taste of tradition. I will be writing for The Blue Valley Times and