Volume 25, Issue 1, 2009

Printed in the Spirit of the Mid-Town Journal and Dedicated to Being the
Collective Conscience of Urban Renewal a~d Eminent Domain in the City of Boston.
VOLUME 25, NO 1
March 2009
James Campana, Editor/Publisher
+
Boston West End's lessons:
Political action urban engagement
by Sal Giarratani
What · really got me interested in politics happened as a
kid when I met James Michael
Curley at Boston City Hospital
and carried on a political discussion for what was no more
than five ·minutes. The five
longest minutes of my life.
That and watching the backhoes and cranes tear doWn the
old West End with my father.
He stood there watching the
destruction and told me how
politicians declared t4e area a
slum when·it wasn't. He wondered why people didn't fight
· harder to save it and cried for
its loss.
I'm young enough to look
back to see why it happened
and old enough to watch it
come tumbling down.
The West End is a shadow
of its former self, · but somehow it didn't all die. The spirit
of what the West End was
somehow survived the implosion of that working class
neighborhood.
The city actually has one
Email: j.campano@worldnet.att.net
Frank Privitera
If you haven't renewed your subscription to
'lrbe West <!Enber, now's the time- $10 Per Year
~be
West Qfnber
P.O. BOX 440-413
SOMERVILLE, MA 02144
,.
(617) 628-2479
West End Museum's January drawing
The first drawing for 2009
for the West End Museum fundraiser was held in January.
Here are the winners:
$1500 - Zoe Colt
$300 - Laura Caccia
$100 - Delores Anderson
$100 - Michelle Scorzella
$100 - Steve Curley
$100- John Wilson
The door prize of$200 was won
· by Duane Lucia.
The West End Museum,fundraiser's next drawings will be
held on the last Sunday ofApril,
Jl.!lYJmd Octgb.er at 1 p.m. --·
F~r only $45 for rest of the
year, you will be eligible to win
$1500 four times during the
of those blue oval signs that year. At each drawing, prizes
reads: "Welcome ·to the West of $1500, $300 and four $100
End" on Staniford Street. Here
and there a building was saved
but mostly it's in people's
memories.
Could they "West End" a
neighborhood today? Probably not. We learned from that
The following west Enders have
mistake and react differently
contributed $500 to our cause in
today to razing whole neigh2009, aimed at keeping alive the
borhoods. The "Westendiza- spirit ofthe west End.
Continued on page 6
+
prizes will be awarded. There
is also a $200 attendance prize,
but you must be present at the
time of the drawing to receive
the prize.
The West End Museum dire-
ly needs your support if it is to
continue. So please support this
endeavor. You could benefit by
winning and .even if you lose,
you benefit by ·supporting the
museum.
West End Annual Reunion
Friday, October 2, 2009 • 7-11:30 pm
Irish American Club ·
177 West Street, Malden, MA
Good Food * Good Music *Good Friends
Contact for tickets and info
· Richara·l18ffileft 78T-929-2691 ·Paul Joltki 781-322-4230
Bruno Roberto 761-526-0999
Donation $50 - Tickets will NOT be sold at the door
I~JI~• West
End Museum
· 150 Staniford Street, Suite 7
~~
.
" Boston, MA 02114
617-723-2125
DRAWING DATES FOR 2009
LIISt Sunday ofApril, July
& October at 1 p.m.
DOOR PRIZE - $200
Most be in attenc.Janee to win door prize
If no one wins door prize, add SSO to neit door prize.
Jim Campano, The West Ender 617-628-2419
Paul Joltki 781-322-4230
Museum 617-723-2125 ·
Prizes
$~,5~0.00
$300.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
~be
PAGE2
West ~nber
MARCH2009
West End Museum
donations
-
C~lling
.
If you are a West Ender and your name i~ not on the West End Museum's donation
list-it should be. Fill out the donation form below and drop it in the mail.
WEST E~D HERO - $30,000 or more
Joe Peterkin
Frank Privitera
John Rasa
GOLD PHiLANTHROPIST - $3,000 or more
Bruce Guarino
PHILANTHROPIST- $1,000 .
Sean Jackman-In honor of his Mother and
Father Jim and Claire Jackman
Francis Rothwell-ln memory of Marie Elaine
Rothwell
Judge Domenic Russo
BENEFACTOR- $500
Jim Campana
Anna Cohen - In memory of
her husband AI Cohen
John DeMarco
Alan Gropman
Paul Joltki
Leonard Nimoy
SPONSOR- $250
Joe Annello +$1 00
Beth & Marshall Arkin
AI &Anna Cohen
John Cucinotta +
Angela Deluca
Jim Healy, Boston
Duck Tours
Kevin McGrath ·
Dorothea (Koresky)
·Pastore
Arnold &Barbara
Phillips
Judge Simto Ruma
- $250+
Richard Terranova
- $300
PATRON- $100
James (Jay) Almeida+
Sam Bellistri
··
Alan Berkman - In memory of his father, Oscar Berl<man
RobertBova
Car1o &·Jennie Caccia +$100
Louis & Laura Caccia
Joseph Calabruso - In memory of his mother, father,
sister Connie and brother Mario
The Cancellieri Family
Kevin Clifford - In memory of his father, John Clifford
Bernard Condelli
John Cucinotta
Angie Deluca
Tony DeMarco
Joe DeSantis
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Francina
Herbert Gans
·
Arthur Geller
Conrad Geller
Chester Hartman $100
Richard Hartnett
Agnes lwanow+
Shirley Kressel
Joe Leece
John Locatelli - In memory of his brother Lee
Tony LoVoulo
William MacAuley
Joseph J. Malara
Richard Nedd
Jim Noe
Anthony Pallotta
West End Girls
Vincent Raso
Sal Rabbio - In memory of his parents, Frank &
Eufemia Rabbio
Bruno Roberto
Mimi (Baker) Roberto - Remembering Vinnie Roberto
City CouncilorMike Ross
Russo Family -In Memory of Dominic (Chickie) Russo
Vincent J. Russo
AndrewSamo
Ms. Margaret Scimeca - In memory of her Husband,
Michaei"Mikey Shoo" Scimeca
Carmella Scott
William Sharrio
Spina & Delia Families
William Tomczyk ·
Robert Vatalaro
Zina Venezia
Arthur Venditti
Malcom-Zimmerman
I am willing to coodinate an "All Girl Lunch or
Brunch" this Spring or Summer 2009.
If interested in helping or just atten~ing,
"let me know. Marie Guarino Testa
marietes@verizon.net 1-978-531-1657
Come ori, we know you are out there.
Show your spirit and make this happen. Thanks!
From the editor. I am a one-man operation and my memory is not
that good aflymore. If I make a mistake, call me up and I will correct
it in the next issue. Arty mistakes are not intentional. Thank you.
The West -E nd Museum is open.
.For -m useum hours please call ·
617-723-2125 for up-to-date information.
· S. James Alberino
Theresa Arria - In memory of
Isabel & Conatto Arria
Santo Aurelio
Louis & Bebe Aurelio
Mr. & Mrs. James Bramarite
In Memory of Dominic J.
Bruno
Francis Cartolano
Anltmj CastagOOzzi -In
. QCbe West Qenbet
P.O. BOX 440-413 • SOMERVILLE, MA02144
TEL. 617-628-2479
. .. t ·-...:
Staff
, ..~
.
~
'"~I
Editor ••••••••;••••••••••~ ••••••.••••..•.••••..• JAMES CAMPAN"6
Co-Founder •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• RAYMOND J. PAPA
• '·
memorydMiie
Castagnozzi
Irene Collyer $25 -In
memory of her deceased
parents
·
Salvatore Condelli
Joe DiFazio
·.
Josephine Zizzo Dzygala ~ In
loving memory of parents
Rose & Joe "Zizzo
Mrs. Helen Feeney
Gloria Fernandez
Ed Fitzgerald
June Getchell
Lawrence Giove
All
<$
•••
-
•
•
,
•
...
•
,
•
•
•
All letters, articles and photos submitted to this publication
become the property of The West Ender.
Jim Campano is the only person authorized to accept
memorabilia for The West Ender.
The West Ender will return pictures if you enclose a self-addressed, stamped .
envelope, but will retain all rights to publish them and to use the images
· The West Ender is a quarterly publication.
r
Eleanor Venezia ·
Bill & Carolyn Wood
Nadine Zdanovich
West End Museum Donation,
I wish to donate to The West End Museum to hasten its progress so
the story ofthe West End will not be forgotten. Send donations to: PO
Box 8996, Bosion, MA 02il4
We are stopping listing anything·under $50 more than
once because "The West Ender" is not a part of the
museum, it is a separate entity. The Friends part ofthelist is the biggest and if we keep printing the list we will
not have space for ~tories and pictures ofthe old West
End So we have to shorten the list. In the future we
may have tQ cut the supporter list also. Sorry.
West End Hero
Gold Philanthropist
Silver Philanthropist
Philanthropist
Benefactor
NEW
Name_~--------------------~-
$10,000+
$3,000+
$2,000+
$1:ooo
$500
Sponsor
$250
'
$100
Patron
Supporter
$50
Friend
$25
Other_ _ __
Marie
Morello - $25 - In Memory of Thomas J. Christo
William lngemi
Address _______________________________________
Nicky Gregory - $50
Lorraine Carvalho - $10
Joseph CanCetlari
Ci~--------~---------------------------
Donations to the
Museum are tax deductable.
State/Zip ----------------~
Donations to The West End Museum do not support or in any way
go to the West Ender Newsletter.
L-------------------~
MARCH2009
Boys just having fun!
'Otbe West ~nber
PAGE 3
Playing the field
John Rosato earns entry into Gridiron Hall ofFame
Photo from 1946: left to right (back row) Hy Fisken, Ed
Kaufman, Sid Kay; (middle) Harvey Elkin Jack Sinewitz, Stan
Abrams; (front) Lenny Ni,moy, Phil Freedman, unknown
Looking for 45 cents
Enclosed is a check for my back? That 45 cents was for a roast
dues, the balance is for The West . beef sandwich atNasti's Deli CorEnder.
ner of Blossom and Eaton streets.
I note on page 10 of your last
Lawrence Gilligan
edition; December 2008, a note P.S. I have been writing this
from Anthony Zakrewski.
amount of on my taxes eyer
I lent this guy 45 cents in 1952, since.
do you think he will ever pay me
Checking in & thank you
Dear Jim,
Museum.
I trust all is well with you and
Still plugging along, Jim, tryI thank you again for the service ing not to retire. Still teaching
you provide all West Enders.
at one of the War Colleges in
Enclosed please find a check. . Washington and also teaching at
Please allocate the money for the Georgetown University.
West End Museum raffie, the anRespectfully and cordially,
nual subscription to the newspaAlan L. Gropman
per, the Century Club, the MemoDistinguished Professor of Narial Circle naming Jack, Miram
tional Security Policy
and Frank Gropman, from Alan
Industrial College of the Armed
Gropman and for the West End
Forces
Every year for the past 38 years
the Providence Gridiron Club of
Rhode Island has inducted six new
members into their Hall of Fame.
This year John Rosato ofNorth
Providence received that prestigious distinction for his many
years of service as a high school
official in Rhode Island.
Rosato, 66, was "humbled"
when he received the induction
letter with his name on it. The
Gridiron Club usually selects just
one official for induction each
year along with a number of players and coaches, Some of the other
inductees included Tom Ehrhardt,
the only URI player to ever have
his number retired, and the late
Mike Cortelessa, a standout lineman for Warwick in the 1970's.
Awards are nice but the thing
that Rosato says he will cherish
most is the brotherhood that he
has developed with his fellow officials.
"The friendships are priceless,"
said Rosato. Things like hanging
out with the guys after the game
and being a part of a one cohesive
unit on the field are some of his
fondest memories. The best evidence of this came was on display
at the Gridiron Club induction
where about 45 of his fellow officials turned out,
Rosato got his zest for sports
at a young age. Growing up in
Boston's North End he lived just
a few blocks from the old Boston
Garden. On mo'st nights in the
1950s he served as a stick boy for
the Boston Bruins or a ball boy for
the Celtics.
ln high school, Rosato played
hockey and football. He was a varsity hockey goalie and the center
for his school's football team. After high school he went on to the
Stockbridge School of Agriculture
in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Like thousands of other Americans, Rosato was drafted into
the armed forces and he proudly
served one year overseas in Vietnam. When he returned, he finished his bachelor's degree at the
University of Arizona.
It was in Arizona that Rosato •
got his first taste of being an official when he oversaw intramural
games at the school.
John Rosato
''No one says I want to grow up
and do this," said Rosato. "Good
officials are made not born."
Initially one of the reasons Rosato liked officiating the games
was the challenge.
"I like the pressure and feeling
like you're a part of the game,"
said Rosato. "Being a player, I
remember what it was like from
their point of view. Now I saw it
from the officials view. Nobody
likes getting yelled at."
After coming to that realization, Rosato's outlook on the
game changed a bit. When he returned to Rhode Island he began
down the path to becoming a high
school official. Like anyone else,
he had to start off refereeing Pop
Wariier. games on the weekend
and then moved on to freshman
and junior varsity games.
Finally in 1983 Rosato made
the Rhode Island High School officials board, making him a full
fledged football official. He still
remembers his first varsity game
in Burriville. "I knew what I was
doing, but I was still a little nervous," said Rosato. "Once I started though I fell right into it and
kept learning more and more."
Respect for an official is a quality only earned in time. Rosato put
in the time and effort and it did not
go unnoticed among his fellow officials and league coaches. Over
time, Rosato came to be recognized as one of the most fair and
honest officials in the game.
The highest honor that a league
official can hope for is being selected to officiate a playoff game
or super bowl game. To date Rosato has done 14 playoff games
and 15 super bowls in his career.
"Way back coaches used to have
a say about who the officials were
for the super bowl ganies," Rosato
said. "Now it's all selected randomly by computers."
There are two games that particularly stand out in Rosato's
memory. The first was a super
bowl game between St. Ray's
and Mount Hope about 15 years
ago. With time winding doWn in
the game there was a backward
pass by St. Ray's and the ball was
bouncing near the goal line Rosato recalled how the ball curved
at the last second l!-nd went over
the pilon for a safety. He was right
in position to make the call that
helped Mount Hope to the win.
The second game was a super
bowl he worked between North
Kingstown and Portsmouth. The
game pitted two Rhode Island
coaching legends and it was a real
nail biter to the end. With less than
10 seconds left North Kingston
caught the ball at the Portsmouth
10 yard line needing a touchdown.
With no time outs left, they were
not able to get another play off
however and Portsmouth hung on
_ for the win.
Many officials do not succeed
because they take things that happen in the game too personally.
Rosato points to a quote from former Major League umpire Bruce
Froemming who said "in your
heart, you've never blown a call."
Once a call is made good or bad
you have already moved on.
"My philosophy is to go into
every game with a clear mind.
The past is the past," said Rosato, "When you're officiating you
have to be firm and handle people
properly. You're not an enforcer
out there, you're an outsider making sure the games being played
the right way."
After his time on the- field is
over Rosato wants to continue to
give back to the game that has given him so much. "When it ends I
want to keep working in developing new officials," said Rosato.
Despite his age Rosato can still
handle himself well on the field,
but he knows that he will not be
able to referee forever.
"The day that I can't keep
up with the game will be the
day that I retire," said Rosato.
"if you can't keep up you take
away from the kids and that's
your responsibility."
~be
PAGE4
MARCH2009
LEITERS
-~
~"'"
West ~nber
-~-_,...,~
~&
'· . .
,. ..
Celebrating 55 years of marriage
on a Caribbean cruise
Friends from West End Camp
was a generation later than them.
I've sent a photo I took of them at
camp for the paper.
I have also sent a few dollars
for printing. I love reading The
West Ender and look forward to
every issue.
Mark Shiffington
Dear Jim,
Best wishes to all the West
Enders for the New Year.
I'm sorry to hear of the passing
of Jimmy Jackman this past November. I knew Jimmy and Roger;
from the West End Camp. We ·
had a lot of laugh~ even though I
Wants to re-kindle friendships
Dear Jim:
nonetheless true. We were the ones
Greetings from the beautiful who grew up there in the 1930s,
Blue Ridge Mountains of Western 40s and 50s. None come after us
North Carolina. I moved to Ashe- for the last days of the West End
ville not too long ago after 21 were in the late 50s.
How great it would be to try to
years in West Palm Beach, Florida. Am not alone as many former re-kindle some of the friendships
Floridians (and Northeasterners of back then with those who are
before then) are coming to the still around. We certainly don't
Carolinas in droves. We are com- have another 50 years to do it.
monly referred to as "halfbacks" I'd like to hear from anyone who
by the locals.
would care to get in touch with .
I was particularly struck by me.
Thanks, again, for all your efthe December issue of The West
Ender and its obituaries sections. · forts in keeping the West End
Struck by the fact that several for- spirit alive. I recently renewed my
mer West Enders who have passed subscription, but here's something
on were third generation residents extra.
Robert (Bobby) Bova
- as I was. I knew all of them
in my young teenage years. There
243 Haw Creek NewsDr.
will be no "former" original West
Asheville, NC 28805-966
(phone) 828-989-1133
End residents after our generation
is gone. It was sad to think this but
email: robertjbova@aol.com
West End Golf Leagpe needs
goifer.s, hackers, willing,to le~m..
.
f
~
;;l
,
Monday mornings at
Cedar Glen Course, Saugy.s.
Call Mike Messina at 617-S5l-599o:·
Hi Jim,
How're you doin'? We're
fine here and truly enjoying life.
Recently my wife Josephine
and· I, plus our four sons, went on
a cruise to the Caribbean to celebrate 55 years of marriage (on
Nov. 1). We had a great time.
Enclosed is a photo from the
cruise. It was the first time in 30
years that we all were able to
spend a vacation all together.
Please feel quite free to edit
and thank you for your kindness.
Cordially, Santo Aurelio
Santo and Josephine Aurelio
anniversary on a cruise to
given
by their four sons. Santo and Josephine both had lived on Ashland Street. (front, 1-r) Josephine, Santo,
Mark. (back, 1-r) James, David, Richard
Update on-last issue's wedding picture
Hi!
my cousins Mary Pwpura RobI am enclosing my subscription erts, J. Pwpura, Mary LoGuidice
to The West Ender and a little infor- Vmci (deceaSea), Camille LOGuidice Corso · {deceased), Johnny
mation.
The wedding picture of my CQrso (~), Morris Zaffrio,
brother John Corso and sister-in- my'young brother Joey (deceased),
law Camille in your last issue is sister Eva Corso Consolo. The little
beautiful and So are and were the at- flower girl starting from the left:
''Chickie", Mary Anne's sister;
tendants in the wedding party.
I thought your readers would · the ring bearer Philip Zucco, my
like to know all the attendants are nephew; Anna May, my niece; and
former West Enders. From the left. Maryanne Cordaro, who sent in the
Years going by too quickly
Dear Jim,
Here we go again. January 2009
has rolled around while I'm still
looking forward to July 4, 2008.
I recall daydreaming as a kid on
Poplar St. about what it would be
like to be an old man when and if
we reached the year 2000. Well, I .
blinked a few times and 2000 flew
by like Mach 3.
One saving grace was finding
out that in these "golden years," (a
crock), I was to discover The West
Ender. No jokes Jim, nor phony
schmaltz or sentimentality, just a
big "Thank You" for keeping the
memories alive.
Enclosed you will find a sum of
money to maintain my membership
in the Century Club plus renew of
my subscription to The West Ender.
Also, please enter two additional
subscriptions to cover two of my
brothers. Th~.
Bob Vatalaro
PS Thanks also for being a few
years younger than I and please
don't play in traffic.
Looking for Billy
Sarcia & Bob Freccero
Dear Jim,
I hope everything is well. I
tried calling Billy Sarcia and Bob
Freccero but the numbers I have,
have since been discontinued.
May God bless us all and Happy New Year.
Charlie Russo
P.S. Keep up the good work.
picture, my sister-in-law Camille's
nif,tCe.
..
•.
Maryanne was too young tO ·
know who the people in the wedding picture were. Hi Maryanne,
it has been some time since I've
seen you. I think it was before you
went to California. I am Barbara's
mother.
One of eleven, we are four left.
Nini Corso White
(91 years young)
Thanks for memories
Dear Jim,
Sorry.if I am late. I want to continue my subscription, don't want to
lose it Sending a little extra.
Thank you so much for the memories. So glad I was boin in my generation 1927.
Sincerely, Jeni Naso Skiffington
Still hanging in
What can I say that hasn't already been said. Still hanging in
there.
Samuel Kaplan
The West End Museum
ts open.
For museum hours please call
617-723-2125 for
up-to-da~e information.
~be
MARCH2009
Wish for continued success
To the West Ender;
Dear Jim,
As we look forward to the New
Year, let us all wish you continued
success with The West Ender. We
await each issue and share in the
wonderful, warm memories of our
lives not so long ago. The uniqueness
lives on in all of us who shared the
~oftheWestEndEmbdhled
in our hearts and minds forever.
· Our donation and best wishes.
Marshall and Beth Arkin
Knew Fr. Micklick
2-14-09
Hi,·Happy "heart" day.
Thanks for doing what you do
to keep the West End connection
going!
Quite a while back someone
asked if anyone knew or remembered Fr. Micklick, the young
priest at St. Joe's. I'd love to com~
municate with that person or any
others at my home mailing address.. My former spouse knew
him from St. Rose's parish in
Chelsea.
Elise Lockhart
Box 636
Talent, OR 97540-0636
Grew up on Charles St.
Hi Jim;
I grew up o~ Charles St. next
to the Elizabeth Peabody House
with my sisters Celine and Marcella. It saddened me to pass the
sign that said if you lived here
you would be home now.
Hi to you and all the wonderful friends and neighbors we
grew up with.
Good luck in 2009.
Catherine Gargan Hurley
Enjoyed museum
Enjoy pictures
Hi Jimmy,
Hope you Kathy and family are
all well. Thanks for all the memories
of the West End.
Enjoyed visiting the museum,
loved the tour.
Mary Carney
Jim:
Paying m)' subscription :r:en.ewal. Thank you.
Keep up the good work. I enjoy
seeing pictures and reading about
old friends and neighbors.
·
·
Thanks Again,
Salvatore (Smiley) Tringali
Keep us updated on WE activities
Dear Jim:
Thanks for the reminder! Just
got back from not-so-sunny California and almost forgot to mail in
my subscription payment.
Please find enclosed a check
for my subscripton to ·The West
Ender. also,included is a donation
for the museum.
I really enjoy reading about my
old friends from the West End and
seeing some of their old and recent photos in the paper.
Please keep up the good work!!
Keeps us old timers entertained
and updated on the activities of
the West End. Your efforts are really appreciated!
JoeAnnello
Castle Rock,Colorado
West End's lesson
Continued from page 1
tion" actually saved the North
End, South End and Charlestown.
It was a victim of what passed for
urban renewal at the time.
A new Boston was to rise out
of the West End's ashes but what
actually happened was the West
End became a rallying cry to
activists in other Boston neighborhoods to fight urban renewal
projects.
The West End empowered
others .near and far apart to not
sit back and watch, but t6 act in
concert.
Standing up and speaking out
for pieces of land called neighborhoods.
The death of the West End
gave life to others. It empowered
others. The crying stopped and
the people stood tall in defense of
neighborhoods.
West Qenber
Lingering memories
ofthe West End
PAGES
West Enders meet at the mall
Editor:
The West End is no longer the
place for bilingual fami.lies and
multi-cultural harmony. It is a .
lingering memory that will 'last a .
lifetime.
Check is enclosed with a little
extra for my subscription renewal. Merry Xmas and Happy New
Year to all West Enders wherever
you are. ·
J. Almeida (Bomber)
Look forward
to the paper &
the stories
Frank Privitera holds "court" at the Meadow Glen Mall in Medford- sitting around a table having coffee are some West Enders
with prpblems to solve and seeking help. (left to right) Peter LimHappy New Year, James. one, Tony C., Riehle DeLuca, Frank Privitera, Testa, and Jimmy
Sending your check early. I have Conde IIi
moved and have enclosed my new
address.
Thanks for the stories. There
was not a better place to live.
Look foward to every edition.
B Lashus-Takacs
Attn: Mr. James Campano
Enclosed please find my check
to re.new my subscription to The
West Ender. I look foward to receiving it through the year.
Best wishes and happy new
year. I should include healthy,
happy, new year.
Sincerely, Ruth I. Bord
Gentlemen:
Enclosed is my check · for
my subscription· for The West
Ender. Looking forward to
reading the articles. They bring
back fond memories of the
neighborhood and friends. The
frienship we still have today.
We stillkeep in touch.
Sincerely, Joe Leece
~
'
Having coffee at the Meadow Glen Mall are three Hale Street
mates conversing nostalgically. (left to right) Frank Privitera,
Sam Biondo and Dom DiMare
A blast from the past
Jim,
That was a nice piece you
wrote about Joe Peterkin in your
last West Ender.
My subscription and a little for
poastage.
John Sergei
Frank Privitera (center) flanked by actor, singer-celebrity
Frankie Avalon (left) cmd comedian Jack Carter (right) during a Prvitera ·extravaganza at the Park Plaza Hotel. The
event was attended by 800 people of which 200 were "West
Enders. "
'OI:bt West qenbtr
PAGE6
Annual St. Rocco's summer cook-
(left to right) Michelle Jo/lre Scorze/la, Kris Moroz Nazarro, William Tomczyk, Michelle Moroz Gustafson and Michael Jolke
Sandy Sarno, Auntie Helen, Michelle and Andy Sarno
Hi Jim Campano,
. • The dances at the Peabody
House where I met my first boyLong time no see.
My name is Michelle Moroz friend.
Gustafson. I was born in the West
• My best friend Pattie Bova, who
End and lived on 47 Chambers I have lost contact with. Ifyou're out
Street with my mom and dad, Mike there.. give a shout.
and Stella Moroz, and my ymmger
I could go on and on.
sister, Kristine.
I'm sendirig you pictures of the
I attended Saint Joseph's School, Saint Rocco's summer cookout that
graduated in 1958 and then my fam- my Aunt and Uncle Paul and Vrrgina
ily moved out of the West End to Jolke have every year in Malden.
Thanks for all your hard work..
Canton.
• I will always remember and Keep the picures.
Regards,
cherish my youth in the West End.
• Watching the 4th of July on the
Michelle Moroz Gustafson
roof of our apartment with my family and neighbors.
• The characters roaming the safe
· streets, like the ''Monkey Man"
• Picking up money on Easton
Street with my cousin Diane Dembicki, as well as us being the first
women to be let onto the sailing club
on the Charles. Oh the stories there!
• Hanging out with my older
cousins, Paul Dembicki and Andy
Samo,membersofThe~es. We
called ourselves The Blue Dots!
Andy dances
MARCH 2009
Costa named Augusta Boston Club 2008 Man of the Year
At its Annual Dinner Dance, the
Augusta Boston Club honored Andrea Costa as its 2008 Man of the
Year. Andrea had been the President of the Augusta Boston Club
since its inception in 2002. He was
instrumental in the restructuring of
the Augusta Frateinal Association
which was founded by Augustanesi
immigrants in Boston's W~ End in
1936 into today's active and popular
Augusta Boston Club. He has been
responsible for leading the Club
through many changes as ·it sought
how best to meet the needs and expectations of the Augustanesi community. His main desire was to help
create an organization that would
encourage maintaining the traditions
and culture ofAugusta, Sicily.
Andrea Costa was born in ·Augusta, Sicily in 1937 and emigrated
to the United States at age 17. His
family settled in the West End of
Boston where Andrea became involved in the construction trade
and became a plasterer. In 1959 his
family was forced to leave the West
End because Boston took it over by
eminent domain. They relocated to
East Boston, another area that was
p.rimarily Italian with many Augustanesi moving there from the West
End Andrea was drafted into the
Army in 1962 for two years. Upon
his release, he returned to Augusta
to marry his childhood sweetheart,
Maria Teresa Romeo. Returning to
drea Costa
the United States, they raised four
children and now are proud grandparents of six, three girls and three
boys. In 1988 Andrea chose to join
an organization he had heard many
good things about, the Augusta Fraternal Association. The following
year he was elected as it's Chairman
Trustee, a position He held until it's
restructuring in 2002. At that time,
Andrea Costa was elected President
of the newly formed organi.?.ation,
the Augusta Boston Club.
. A man with many dreams, Andrea worlced on establishing new and
innovative programs. High AchievementAward, Man ofthe Year, Scholarship Awards, Annual Scampagnata, and Memorial Mass are some of
his acComplishments together with
an awesome administration that
worlced with him to make it happen.
Dedicating himself to the needs and
betterment of the Augusta Boston
Club, He has been a driving force
for excellence in all aspects of Club
business. He invested huge amounts
of his time to insure that the Club
ran smoothly. His hard work and expertise have not gone unnoticed, the
Augusta Boston Club is well known
and respected by it's fellow orgailmttions. Ending his six year presidency
in December, Andrea pledged with
the new administration to continue
to worlc for the advancement and
growth of the Augusta Boston Club.
Really enjoy the paper
Dear Jim,
This has been a long time
coming. Charlie always sends
me the newsletter, now I'll get
my own. I look forward to the
annual reunions and of course,
The West Ender.
Love, Dione LaRosa
Enclosed is my subscription. Thank you Mr. Editor,
Publisher for all your efforts
to maintain all our nostalgia,
events and photos. Can't wait
for the next issue. God Bless.
Margaret & Frank Spinale
Thanks for all the effort to
make this newspaper work so
well.
Rosalind LaFond
Jim:
Enclosed please find my
check to cover th costs associated with my renewed membership, as well as the listing in
the Memorial Circle.
Keep up the good work. We
enjoy the paper; especially articles and photographs directed
toward the good old West End.
Sincerely,
Joseph Interrante
Jim,
Thank you for keeping all
of us West Enders up to date
with the community news and
events.
Joe Cancellieri
Still enjoy the paper.
Mary Meo Lawless
Thanks for the reminder.
Always looking forward to the
West Ender for news of old
friends and events. Keep up the
good work.
Joe Paci
----~--
We look forward to receiving
and reading The West Ender.
Thanks and Happy Holidays.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert R.
Fallavollita
Thanks for a wonderful paper.
Nat Spinale
We look forward to each issue of The West Ender.
Sylvia Werner
Thanks for the great job you
are doing.
John Cucinotta
~be
MARCH2009
West Qfnbet
PAGE7
DiMare brothers from the West End
.Remembering all
· .our loved ones
Pictured left to right are Giuseppe Lanzerotta, Salvatore Bramante,
The five DiMare Brothers playing their legendary "Whist Game" Joseph Morello, Andrea Costa, Judge Santo Ruma, Francis Privitexclusively played am~ng the brothers. The photo shows them era, Phillip Privatera with his son Payton, and Giovanni Noe
playing cards at their "cold water flat" at 24 Hale Street, 4th
floor in the West End, over 50 years ago. They have since upgraded their respective residences. (1-r) Joe DiMare, Sammy DiMare,
Jimmy DiMare, Johnny DiMare, Dom DiMare. (photo submitted
On October 11, 2008 the Au- father's business.
by Joe DiMare, presently residing in California.)
Augusta Boston Club Honors
Honorable Santo J. Ruma
gusta Boston Club honored one of
it's distinguished members Santo
). Ruma, with the Augusta Boston
Club High Achievement Award.
The Honorable Santo J. Ruma
was born and brought up in the tight
knit neighborhood of the West End
of Boston. The West End was home
to many .immigrants from Europe
and especially from Italy. Of the
Italians who settled the~. a large
percentage .came from the wonder- .
ful city of Augusta, Sicily.\
So it came to pass that in the early 1900's judge Ruma's father, JoFrank Privitera (center) with the DiMare brothrs. The photo Was' tak- seph Ruma, left Augusta, Sicily and
en by Joe DiMare 30 years ago (1978). Frank Privitera is a prominent arrived in the West End of Boston
with his parents. Here he met and
attorney (formerly from Ifale St., West End). He Was' a close, personal married Mary Pustizzi, Boston born
friend of the DiMare brothers. (1-r) Dom DiMare, Sam DiMare, At- daughter of Augustanese parents.
torney Frank Privitera, Joe DiMare and Jimmy DiMare. Frank Privi-' · The family grew with the addition
tera, a West Ender and eminent Boston philanthropist,·Was' a close, of four children, and Joseph Ruma
personal and bestfriend ofJoe DiMare when the two lived on Hale St. established a fruit and produce business.
(photo submittd by Joe DiMare, presently living in in Calf.)
In 1949, theRumafamilyleftthe
West End for the suburb of Medford, Massachusetts. Santo Ruma
transferred from the Boston school
system to the Medford school system, from which he graduated and
entered Boston University in 1958.
During this period, he continued to
The following West Enders have contributed $100 or more to our cause in
travel to the West End to work at his
2009 West Enders
Century ,C lub
2009. We salute them! Now is the time to send your check in the amount of
$100 ifyou are interested in becoming a member.
Beth & Marshall Arkin Paul & Joyce Dembicki Nino Parisi
Santo Aurelio
Alan Gropman
Frank Privitera
Salvatore Bramante
Bruce Guarino
Judge Santo Ruma
AnnaCohen
·
Kevin McGrath
Richard Terranova
Victor DeMarco
Leonard Nimoy
Robert Vatalaro
Remember me? Still the same.....
Hi,
I enjoy The West Ender paper.
I enjoy seeing how people
from the West End have changed
in looks and stories. Keep up the
good West Ender.
................................._______________________________
~
Upon receiving his Bachelor's
degree, he continued on at Boston
University Law School and graduated in 1965. His legal career found
him practicing business, real estate,
and commercial litigation. In 1977,
Santo Ruma opened a private practice in Boston. He served as counsel
~ several st,a~ agencies and drafted
the first state wide regulations governing wetlands protection. Santo J.
Ruma was appointed as an Associate justice in 1983 and retited as the
Presiding .Justice of the Peabody
District Court in 2006.
Judge Ruma has always been
and continues to be involved in educational and charitable endeavors.
He resides in Winchester, Massachusetts with his wife Joan.
Judge Ruma followed in the
footsteps of his Father imd Grandfather in becoming a member of
the Augusta Boston Club and it's
predecessor Augusta Fraternal Association which was founded in
Boston's West End in 1936 by immigrants from Augusta, Sicily.
Judge Santo J. Ruma· was honored for his commitment to preserving the ideals and traditions of his
heritage, and for the fine example he
has set for the Italian community.
Here is my 2009 money.
Joe (Chicky) Shochat
PS Wonder if people remember me still? I have same smile,
looks, laugh too and new clothes
and some old?? Hello to all!
Dear Joe,
I spoke to you a while back,
in regard to have my husband's
obituary in the paper. Sorry for the
delay, I hope we are not to late for
the March issue.
I am sending a donation t~ help
this wonderful paper keep going. I
would like to say hello to near and
far friends in the West End .. My
maiden name was Isaacson.
Sincerely.
Leah Guertin
.
To whom it may concern,
Enclosed is a check for my for
sub!!cription and in memory of my
dear husband who died in July of
2004. William J. Sharrio (Bill).
He lived at 139 Brighton St. in the
West End.
Good luck and ·thanks.
His wife,
Rita Sharrio
Hi,
Here is my check for my sub..:
scription and the rest toward expenses. I send this in memory of
my husband, _Larry Savoia. Thank
you very much.
Connie Savoia
Please renew my West Ender
subscription and use the bit extra
as needed. In memory of my dad,
John Saraceno.
Carol Williams
~
Enclosed is my check for my
renewal for March 2009. I have
enclosed extra in memory of my
brother Patrick Palmisano.
Thank You,
Camille Palmisano
Great mem~ry
newspaper
I
l
'4
I
J
.I
Friends!
·
Thanks .for the reminder of
renewal of the great . memory
newspaper, check for which is enclosed.
Someday I plan to share with
you some of the many vignettes
I experienced while a 12 year old
shining shoes in my Dad's barber
shop on Green St. (Al the Barber).
Best wishes and good luck in
your efforts to keep the "Old West
End" alive.
Joe & Ceil Franchina
~~~~~~~~~======================================~==~---------'
1
I
.
>
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PAGES
MARCH2009
(OBITUARIES
Russell G. Guertin
Russell G. Guertin, of Allston
formerly of the West End, died
on January 23,
w~ .
He was the
beloved
bus·
band for ov~r
55 years to
Leah (Isaac"'
!,aothn)e:rDoefvoSttee~
1
Russell G.
'
venE. ofAllsttm. BrotherofJohn
McGinty of Mashpee, .Douglas
Mc.Ginty . of Somerville, Lois
Lacy and Yvonne ·shauguessey
both of OH and . the late Rita
B renner andJanetR
. ockfiord · Son
of the late·Edward Guertin and
. ty· L ovmg
· grandpa
R ose M c G m
.
d
to Steven R usse ll Guertm
an
.
h
1
M
Al
·
·
d
M tc ae
orrow. so surviVe
by many dear friends.
Mr. Guertin was an Army veteran of the Korean war.
IDonatl.on's t"n· memory · 0 f
1
Ru Sse ll may b e rnade to the ·s avation Aqny, 147 Berkeley St.,
Boston, MA 02116 or to a charity ofyourchoice.
The Guertin family would
also like to express their giatitude to the staff of Brigham &
Women's Hospital and especially to Dr. Sweeney, Dr. Charles
Morris, and Dr. Samuel Goldhaber.
Russo Funeral Home, Medford.
Burial was at Oak Grove Cernetery, Medford.
Bernard W. Baker Sr.
.
.
Bernard W. Baker, Sr., of
West Somerville, . formerly .of
the West End of Boston, died on
December 7 .
He was the beloved husband
of the late Leona (Giannelli).
Loving father ofStefanieMerrill
and her husband Steven of Burlington, Pamela Chaves and her
husband Danny of Somerville,
Dean Baker and his wife Rita of
Somerville, Bernard W. .Baker,
Jr. and his wife Lisa of Reading. Brother of James Baker·and
the late John Baker. Grandfather
of Cailyn, Caleigh, · Cameron,
and Christopher Merrill,-Jillian
Chaves, Deano, Julia, Je!!sica
Haley Baker.. .
Memorials in Bernie's name
may .b e made to Merrimack Val-
and
ley Hospice, 360 Merrimack
St., Build~ng 9, Lawrence, MA
_
01843
Joseph Arena
Joseph Arena, off Burlington
formerly ofthe West End ofBoston, died on January 24,2009.
He was the beloved busband of .the late Mary (Lillian
Zinkowski) Arena and loving
father of Deborah and her husband· John Hogan, loving grandSalvatore P. "Sal"
father of Alicia Hogan, beloved
Sacoco
son of the late James and Rose
Salvatore P. "Sal" Of Stone- (DeFranzo) Arena and loving
ham, formerly of Medford and brother Qf the late .Rose Noe and
the West End of Boston, died on Marie Giganti.
January 17.
Mr. Arena was a late veteran
He was the beloved husband of the USAF WWII and the Koof Josephine T. (Puleo). De- rean Conflict. He was a B-24
voted father of Lorene Zani and Bombadier Squadron Pilot. Late
her husband Jack of Wakefield, graduate · Norwich University.
Philip Sacoco and Christine of Retired Civil Engineer BPW
Malden. Loving grandfather of the Commonwealth of MA.
of Lisa Ann Zani Garrett and Usher at St Margaret's Church
her husband Michael, John A. Burlington and past president of
Zani Jr., and Gina Sacoco. Lov- the Burlington K of C. He held
ing great grandfather of Jessica many offices in the Burlington
McCarthy. . Brother of Charles Housing Authority during the
Sacoco of Dedham and the late last 24 years. His hobbies in·
Joseph Sacoco.
eluded
traveling, golf, cards and
Mr. Sacoco was a late U.S. the lottery.
Army veteran ofWWII.
Interment was in Pine Haven
tributions in his wife's memory
may be made to the Alzheimers
Assoc., MA Chapter, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA, 02472 ..
Joseph J. Scarlata
Joseph J. Scarlata, 77, of
Brockton, died on Dec. 22, 2008.
He was a native of the West End
of Boston,· a B
. oston Gas Com•
~::Ve/etir;:~
membered as
kind, patient,
gentle, easygoing
and
good-natured,
and will be
deeply missed.
He was the beloved husband
of Loretta "Micky" (Flynn) for
55 years. Loving father. of Tina.
Haskell of Rockport, Laurie
Peitz of West Kingstown, RI and
the late Stephen J. Scarlata. Dear
grandfather of Keith W. and Eric
John Haskell, Kristen Rose and
Sean Enes and Taralynn Peitz.
Brother of Leo J ... Scarlata· of
Chicago and the late Rose Sergei and Rita Smigielski, uncle of
many.
Funeral was from Waitt Fu· 1 was at C a1
nera1 H orne. B una
vary Cemetery.
Anna D.
(Sherkanowski) Pagano
Anna D. (Sherkanowski) Pagano, of Billerica formerly of
the West End, died on December
21 , 2008.
She was the beloved wife of
the late Ralph L. Pagano with
whom she shared 35 years of
marriage. Loving mother of
Madeline M. Pagano and Ralph
R. Pagano both ofBillerica. Deat:
sister of the late Helen Rush,
Mary Sherkanowksi and Joseph
Sharkey. Cherished grandmother
ofNatasha DiLiegro, Nicole and
Erica Pagano.
F~eral from Vazza's "Beechwood" Funeral Home, Revere.
Interment was in Holy Cross
Cemetery, Malden.
Pat Locatelli
Dear Jimmy,
I am writing to tell you of the
death of my wife Pat. She passed
away Thursday, December 11,
2008 at 10:15 a.m.
We were married on November 1, 1924 at S. Joseph's
Chuich by Father John E. Powers and just celebrnted our 66th
weddding anniversary. We have
had a great life - done just
about everything .and been just
about everyplace.
She leaves om son John Junior, granddaughter Laurn, great
grandson Michael and greatgreat granddaughter. .
From 19?6'-42 · I worked at
IN MEMORIUM
Maxie's market at 3 Leverett
Street just before Guy Consolo.
I am also an original member
of the Mercury Club and lived at
·5 Staniford Street. I have many
times for .the old gang to write.
However I .guess most of them
hav:e passed on.
That was quite a neighborhood where people were· polite and neighborly. . I imagine
like .anywhere, it too must have
ch.anged.
.
We have been living in Florida since my.retirement in 1978 ..
God bless and.' take care and
keep The West Ender rolling off
the presses.
John Locatelli
Frank .(Spinale) Paris
Former- West Ender Frank
Spinale, bet~er known in the
blues world as Frankie Paris,
passed away suddenly in New
York on October 5, 2008. He·
started his .music career in the
West End, singing acapella witli '
"The Crescents" . and turned
professional in New York in
the early 60s. He toured the.
U.S. and Europe _extensively
and worked at just about every
rock 'n roll and blues :venue in
New York City. Along the way,
he formed a number ofbands,
including "The City Boys" and
"Cold Sweat," ~utting numer. ous albums and singles in the
process. A new album "The
Way I Feel, "featuring his last
biues band, "The Badd Boys,"
will be released shortly. Frankie
is .terribly missed by everyone
who ever met him. But, fortumitely, his mu.s ic _will live on._
For .a brief glimpse of his life
in .musi~, please visit www.
·rninkieparis.com. You will be ·
impressed.
Please send 'condolences
to his wife, Linda' Spinale: 52
Pine Street, Great Falls, SC
29055 or spinale917@yahoo.
com.
Note: We'll be running a
complete story on Frankie in
our next issue, including information on ordering his last album plus a full-length. performance on DVD, "Frankie Paris
Live At Terra Blues." Don' t
miss it. ·
I:< lvh\rcwn
\l
Jack, Mirium and Frank Gropman from Alan Gropman
Catherine Loguidice and Mario Stancato from
Cliarlie LaRosa
Patrick Palmisano from Carmella Palmisano .
Joseph and Anita Russo, Donald and Sylvia Grey,
Moe Guarino, Joe Solano and Carmine Steriti
from Vincent J. Russo
Larry Savoia from Connie Savoia
Bill Sharrio from Rita Sharrio
Barney and Ida Sheff, Lillian SheffWallack, Ruth Sheff
Rosenberg, and Manny Sheff from Dr. Michael Sheff
1-========F=un= e=rn=l=w=a=s=fr= om= t=h=e=D=e=l=lo= =C=em= et=e=ry=,=B=ur=l=in=gt=o=n=MA= =.C= o~= = = = = = = = = = = = = = Jo=hn= =S=M=a=c=en=o=· fr=o=m=-C=M-=o=lV -=i~l •ia•m
. s.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
..
+
'QI:be West Qfnber
MARCH2009
"Good Luck Kid," - the Frankie Paris story
their own. Jackie Wilson. Clyde
McPhatter.
by
I got into the records first. I eiPublished 2007 by The University of Tennessee Press I Knoxville, TN
ther bought their records or I heard
Once a year a CD comes across they're a part of the furniture. I've my own backyard I drove out to them on the radio, in Boston. There
my desk with an opening cut that always enjoyed Frankie's sing- Queens to find out.
wasn't many blues stations availHe is, in his own way, the quint- able. You know, I was the kid in
feels so good, 80 right, that I hit ing, always known he was skilled,
"replay" until I wear it out. First passionate, inventive, wise, fear- essential New York blues artist, the neighborhood when everybody
thing in the morning while shav- somely energetic. He always had with a survivor's story to tell. Born was listening· to Buddy Holly and
ing; another five or six plays cruis- a kind of polished but heightened Frank Daniel Spinale "Spin AL- Elvis Presley, I was listening to
ing downtown. The next ten cuts showmanship that made me think LEY," he pronounces it in 1941, everybody else BUT these people.
I could care less about. This one Vegas, but with a Goodfellas edge, Frankie Paris has had many musi- fnnmy Reed, Little Wtlliejohn.
song utters my life, gives form and a gruff salty harshness. I'd just cal lives. The last fifteen years it's I said ''Man, THAT'S singing!
momentum to the tangled, surging never quite known where to place been blues dubs,
That's the way it's supposed to be
feelings of the moment.
him. (Maybe 1 was sUffering from
but before that it was doo wop, done." So that was my attitude. All
"Right Around the Comer," the reverse prejudice, a sense that a stint with Dawn (before Tony my friends were out there saying,
leadcutanddebutCDfromFrankie ''white blues singer'' is a dose but Orlando), hard time in Vegas, and Hey man, check out Presley, and
Paris and Cold Sweat (Bahoomba no cigar proposition. Maybe I was dues paying with something called I'd say, Yeah, that's good, okay
Music), is this year's nominee. I'm seeing .him without quite hearing the Purple Haze Band "I knew okay. But I :would go and get Clyde
swprised I've known Frankie for him.) Then I got his CD. Catchy . · Hendrix," he said "He used to McPhatter records, or I would get
more than ten years in a casual originals, sidemen who know how come and see me at Cafe Wha? in the early Coasters.
way as a fellow member of the to groove and when to cut loose, the Village." His most recent band
People'would say, Frankie, why
New York blues some he's pre- and a talented veteran belting it out has been working three nights a are you buying this album I'd say
sided at jam sessions, invited me 'with crnckliii.g finesse. And that ad- week for several years at Arthur's I'm buying this album because it's
up to blow harp at his gigs more dictive opening track, a funky sax Tavern, just off Sheridan Square. real. I was living in a predominantthan a few tim~ and such famil- driven blues about romance on the We sat down at his kitchen table ly ... except for a few black famiiarity can breed over familiarity. sly. Where did this guy come from? and rolled tape.
lies that were in my neighborhood,
You think you know somebody; . This national class soul man from
I grew up with my grandpar- . it was predominantly Irish and a
ents, my dad's parents. And I was few Jewish families, and mostly
brought up by them. Didn't get Italians. The West End of Boston,
. Tfzefollo~ing We~t.~'!ders hCI)!~ contr,i,bu!e_d ~1 QQ ()T__ '!'Ore in 1Jie71)qry
along to<twell with my dad. -My which is:tiow a Government Cenoftheir loved ones for 2009. Now is th~ time to send in your donation
.. mom passed away within the first ter.
to be included in the 2009 West Enders Memorial Circle.
· year I was bom
I spent a lot of time in my room
An interview
Adam Gussow
AI Cohen from Anna Cohen
Catherine LoGuidice and Mario Stancato from
Charlie LaRosa
Barney and Ida Sheff, Lillian Sheff Wallack, Ruth Sheff
Rosenberg from Dr. Michael Sheff and Manny Sheff
Joseph & Anita Russo, Donald & Sylvia Grey, Moe
Guarino, Joe Solano and Carmen Steriti from
Vincent J. Russo
Gaetano & Josephine Privitera from Frarik Privitera
William Sharrio from Rita Sharrio
Jack, Mirium and Frank Gropmati from Alan Gropman ·
Anthony (Junior) Compercio, William (Bossy) Hoar
James "Gussie" Guskiewcz, Roger Jackman & Joseph
Lanza from Tony LoVoulo & Ralph Santoussouso
Kathy Pagliuca from Charlotte Ploss
Bill MacAuley from Jim Campano
Frances Spinale Ruma (Bellis) from Fran (Pudgy)
Ruma and Family
Vincenzo and Rosario Interrante, Salvatore & Olympia
Bramante, Mary & John Marchesini and Rose
Interrante from Joe & Joseph Interrante
John and Frances Biancuzzo from Mario Biancuzzo
Benjamin (Benny) Ptaszynski from Agnes Iwanow
I love z. z. Hill, I love Little .bymyselfiwouldplayrecordsand
Milton. But a lot of my sound came sing along, cause I knew nobody
from singers a lot of them were re- else would appreciate 'em. They'd
ally unknown, but they recorded. say What the hell are you playThere was the Swati Silvertones. ing, man? What is this music, it's
Theywereblack.Mostlyblackgos- like jungle music, man! That was
pel. in Boston. I grew up with all of the word ' that they used in those
that. And then from that I went into days. My ear told me a lot of white
listening to people like Little Wtl- groups would cover black m'Usic.
lie John, .who was an underrated A group like the Crewcuts. They
singer,_but great in his own right. did it ver}r watered down. They did
Because he was able to go from their version of it. But if you play
blues to R&B to pop music, so he the original version by the Chords,
had that flexibility. I wanted to be a it is night and day. I used to hear
. flexible singer as well. My roots go · both versions on the radio. But I'd
back to ... it's blues based, but I'm go out and buy what I heard on the
able to stretch out depending on the rhythm and blues stations, not the
gig. You know, for survival.
white stations. My grandmother
In 1953, the first R&B record I got to the point she'd say, "What
ever heard was a single by a group the hell are you listening to?" And
called the Crows. Singing groups I'd say, ''Ma, I like Perry Como, I
were becoming very famous in think Perry Como's good, but I'm
the early fifties. And the Crows a young guy and I wanna hear what
did a song called "Gee." I guess the music's supposed to be like. I
that was considered a commercial wanna sing, I don't wanna bullshit
hit at the time. Fats Domino, and nobody. Idon'twanna·waterdown
nothing."
then about a year later, Little RichI found a bunch of guys who
ard and Chuck Berry and all those
guys were just starting to come into felt the same way: the Crescents.
•
PAGE9
That was my first vocal group, in
19 5 8. And I realized then that I
could harmonize. I had an ear for
it. That was my first training, to be
with three other singers and myself
We'd do gigs anywhere. If they
said Go to Ethiopia and do a gig for
ten dollars a man, we would have
done it. I was seventeen.
We did a lot of what they called
record hops. The local DJ of the
station in your town would run a
dance at some kind of big hall that
they would rent out. They would
pay us like gas money to arrive.
Sometimes there was a band at the
~rd hop. Most of the gigs were
a cappella Doo wop. Predominantly the audience was white, except for a few. And the kids were
waiting for more of Dion and the
Belmonts. And we were covering
the Harptones. I had a big pompadour and all that. You know. We
had black pants with white jackets.
V neck t shirt. CQme on and snap
your fingers.
I started in '58 with the Crescents, and we were together for
three years. And I finally said I
don't know what I want-to do with
my life. Do I want to get into this
business? I always wanted to be a
nightclub singer. If I can make a
living doing that, I'll' be fine. And
I said, How am I gonna go about
this? Well let me go in the dubs, I
cause I know I can make a living
by the week. And in between that,
I'll see what I can do recordingwise. Where am I gonna go? What
direction am I goru1a be in?
Who am I? lwas Still at the discovery stage. Who is Frankie Paris,
and where does he come vocally,
and what is he gonna be about?
I took the name Paris from an. other singer I saw in BOSton who
was working in the clubs. You
know he was a very straight, white
American kind of singer. He was
almost like a Bobby Vmton. But
he had the name Bobby Paris.
And I said, I need a name that is
gonna be
Americanized. I'm
not gonna use anything Italian that
looks like you own a pizzeria or
something like that! So I changed
it up. Most Italian American artists,
like Frankie Avalon, Fabian, they
all changed their names because
. it made it ea&Y for the public to ~­
Contmued on page 10
easY,
•
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I
I
I
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...
\lr:be West ~nber
PAGE 10
MARCH2009
The Frankie Paris story
Thank·s for
the memories!
Continued ofrom page 9
this is not to brag, but all the talmember.
ent shows that I did, I won"at least
Was I ever hurt by a girl? Oh eight out of ten. I'd get like fifteen
shit. I hadda girl a long time ago I dollars. That was a big deal. So it
was nineteen, she was seventeen. was also my chance to test myself
You get somebody who loves you and see, Do I really have it for the
more than.... I mean you cherish general public? Do I have what it
her, like I did, and then she turns Lakes ifl'm gonna pursue a career
around and DECEIVES you? On . working in New York, and record,
that lowdown, gutbucket level, and try to get a band, and whatever
so low that a roach couldn!t even it was?
crawl under your foot. Yeah, I know
I did that weekly, almost weekly.
all about that. Women became my This was the proving ground. And
drug. I stayed away from the hard the reaction was always positive.
stuff, though, whatever was float- And so I said, All right. I'm coning around in the some back then. vinced I'm gonna become a singer.
Just women.
Maybe I'll go into rhythm and
I used to go uptown in Boston, blues or whatever, I cause I wantand there was the whole strip ~f ed to get mainstream. I wanted to
dubs. By the time I hit the scene in make money. But I didn't forget all
1960, a lot of the dubs were black the blues I used to listen to, either.
and white audiences, which was
Then in 1962 1 ventured into
cool. A lot of vocal groups were New York by myself and just came
coming in. Every weekend I'd go herewith eighty bucks in my pocket
up there, see who was playing, say, on a Greyhound bus, with
suitOhman, this is great. I wasn't even case. And asked somebody, Can
thinking of recording at the time. you tell me where Broadway is? I
First I got to pay my dues. So I swear to GOd, man. Like in a movused to go to the various dubs ev- ie. And some guy looked at me, he
ery weekend, and they'd have what said, Make a left here, and that'll
they called Talent Shows. They'd lead you right into Broadway. He
have people come up. And I'd say, said: Good luck, kid
.
Well now, what song am I gonna
So he knew! I was about tWenty
do? In 1959, the Falcons, with Wtl- two. ·
son Pickett in the lead, had a song
l said to myself, This is Broadcalled "You're So Fine." So I used way. The lights, the movie theaters.
that song to enter talent shows. And
Continued on page II
one
Hi Guys,
We love The West Ender.
Lots of great memories especially when reading the paper. Enclosed is a check plus extra for
expenses. Love you guys.
God Bless,
. Marie and Eddie Sicari
Enclosed is my subscription
and some extra for publishing
a great paper. Thanks for the
memories to my childhood and
teen years from J\.1cLean Ct.
Best wishes for 2009.
Irene Collyer
Jim:
Had meant to send this. A
great photo of Frankie with
gtoup . . He looks very strong
and determined. Proud of what
he does. Note that the photo
is autographed to one of "The
Crescents," Jack Carroll.
Jack Carroll
Thanks for the memories, and
a wonderful link with home and
the past.
Catherine Curtis
Enjoy reading the paper,
keep, it coming, brings back
old memories.
Selma and Louis Ferullo
Thank you for the many memories of past years thru The West
Ender. We can never forget our
West End, imd all the wonderful
friends. Our families and friends
had to move, but our thoughts
and wonderful memories are
still there. God bless.
Ralph (Freddie) &
MaryMele
Thank you, for preserving the
memories of the West End experiences that shaped our lives.
Enclosed is my subscription to
The West Ender. Best wishes.
,Steve Maio
"City Boys"featuring Frankie Paris 1990-92
Looking for
photos of
Cassaro's Bakery
I would love it if anyone has
any photos of Cassaro's Bakery
on South Margin St. My e-mail
is lisacassaro@yahoo.com
Lisa Cassaro
(1-r) Butchie Rossa, Frankie (Spinale) Paris and Nelson Caruso
Will be at
church reunion
Enclosed is my check for renewal of The West Ender. I really enjoy reading it. I'll be back
for the church reunion, since I
graduated from St. Joseph's in
48.
Thanks again,
Jane Ralston
Thank you Jim. Nothing can
ever take the place of the West
End. .
Fred Shulman
Please continue my subscription .for the coming year. I look
forward to every · issue. Thanks
for the memories.
Frank Fischella
32 Wall St.
.
'lrbe West QEnber
MARCH2009
Continued from page 10
Sal Manganaro & Paul Cutrafella on Merrimack St.
(above) Sal Manganaro at US
Army, Greenland
Brings back little
a bit of home
l'm complete!
Hi Jim;
Keep up the good work, as
you help in bringing a little bit
of home back into oirr lives.
Joe DiMare
_,r
P.S. the little extra to cover mailing
·Make$ my day
·~ I am enclosing my check and .
a little extra to renew my subscriptioin to The West Ender.
Your paper makes my day:
Thank you,
Thanks for the reminder.
Dorothy (Kushinsky) SudenCouldn't
do without. The . West
field
Ender. A little extra to do with
what you want. Thanks again
and a belated happy and healthy
·New Year to all. dod bless all. .
.Rose Abaid
Here's a little extra to keep
.
.rt-.
the paper going. Bless all my
1
8
friends from the Riverside Club
and Allen St.
Jim Milloni West Ender; · ·
Brings back littie
a bit of-home
Riverside Club ·
shout out
-H
.-..-. -_p_p_y_.,,. ..B
.-._-. -_h_d_a_y......
Ben F.azio
Please.renew
Plea.Se renew my subscription
and I have ~nclosed some extra
$$ to help with costs.
Gerald Feld
-------------------Help Us to Help You
The West Ender is compiling an
e-mail data base.
Send your e-mail address to
rnedd@comcast.net so we can
inform you about West End
functions & events.
My renewal and a happy
birthday for Benjamin Fazio, 91
years old; and hello to my family in Boston. All my cousinsMoschitto's.
..
Marie Louise Moschitto
Next to heaven
Thanks for the reminder. Next
to the West End is heaven.
Gloria Bocchino
racial group. AI Vega was Spanish,
the other two guys were black, and
I'm Italian _American. I was ·the
only cream of the Oreo in there.
We started singing in the streets.
Later on we got the name the Wonders.
There was this rehearsal studio
at 1697 Broadway, at 53rd Street.
We rented a hall, for like a buck and
a half. You could rent a whole hall
with a piano, like a rehearsal ·room.
And we started rehearsing, singing
different songs, saying, Yeah, we
can do this. So we were doing our
thing in there, and next room over
was a production company. Independent producers were the thing
.
PAGE 11
The Frankie Paris story
I walked straight up there. And
then I saw this pool hall. It said
"Ames." That's where they made
that movie, The Hustler, with Paul
Newman. And I met this guy, who
was also in a singing group. His
name was AI Vega He was married at the time. And I said, I just
got here. And he said, Well man,
you can stay with me in my house.
And then him and I got together,
went to BrOadway a week later,
and met two other guys.
The first was this guy playing
a guitar, kinda shabby dressed He
came from Washington, D.C., he's
standing on the ·comer playing. He
had a homemade electric guitar
that he niade 'cause he couldn't afford to go buy one. He was singing
rhythmand blues. I said, Wow, he
sounds good. So me and AI said,
Hey man, sounds great! We're-trying to put a vocal group together.
So we started singing. And the
harmonies sounded great! Just like
that. So then we walked farther up
towards the Ed Sullivan Theater,
the three of us. And this guy comes
down the street, his name is Chuck
Howard He used to be .with the
Flamingoes. He hears us singing.
And then he goes, Hey, let's do
something.
He sang baritone. And in those
days, 1 was a real high first tenor.
So we put this all together. We had
three 1~ Singers: Chuck Howard,
: myself, and Glen Hockaday. Glen
was black, but he was part American Indian. This was my first inter-
...
at that time. So they send somebody over. Knocks on our door,
says, Hey we heard your sound,
man. We love it. Would you guys
be interested in recording? Just like
the movies. And I said sure. Come
to find out these guys are independent producers, there's four of
thent, and they're the Tokens, the
ones that made ''The Lion Sleeps
Tonight." They said, You got any
· original material? We said, We just
got together. They said, Yeah but
the sound is interesting. Go write
some soil:gs. Come back on Monday.
So we went ~to Glen Hockaday's house in Brooklyn, wrote
two songs, came back on Monday.
They heard one song, they loved it,
they signed us to a two year contract. We recorded. Two months
. later we had a record out, "Say
There." The B side was ''Marilyn,"
written by the Tokens themselves.
rm singing tenor. It did very well,
got a lot of aitplay, started climbing up the charts, and then Charlie
· Koppehrum and Don kirshner·left
the · labe~ new people came in, an<i
they lost the promotion: Ii made it
to about seventy fifth place on the
·charts.
We met everybody .on Broad-
-Tha-nk you for
the book review·
.
way, from Jackie Wilson to Sam
Cooke to whatever. Bobby Darin had an office right at the Brill
Building. That was the-days when
people could actually make record
deals right on a phone booth. Walk
off the street and make a deal!
Iri '65 I took off for Vegas. I
teamed up with one ofthe members
of the original Wonders, and we
put a band together. There was four
of us. We were called Satan's Four.
This promoter says, We're gonna .
book you in Vegas for fow:: weeks.
So we go there, the people love us,
we're there for eight weeks! We
did a Motown repertoire, rhythm
and blues stuff.
We were at a club called the
Pussycat A Go Go. That kind of
Vegas. The club had two stages.
Once one act closes, ·the curtains
open, .and the second act hits the
·other stage ·across the room. And
we were right neXt door to the Fla~
mingo Hotel. Leslie Uggams was
there. Fats Domino was in town,
Ray Charles. All playing on the
Vegas strip. We didri~t,come off as
very loungy. We were street kids,
young· guys. We did ·~ couple of
blues trines, but not many~
.
I went to extreriles;'man. But (
was learning my craft at the same·
time. .
.Time jlie~. by
Hi Jim,
Can'( believe another year has
passed How are thitlgs·at the West ·.
,End Museum going? ·
Ke.eP. up the go~ work arid
hopefuUy we'll ~ee each other at
the·west End Mass~ f'
·
· Eleanor (Spina,.e) Venezia ·
Dear Jim,
What a pleasant surprise to
see that review of my book, ·~ur­
ban Villagers," in. the current
issue .. It's the first one, I think,
from a West Ender and if you
.
'
'
are in touch with Mr. Vatalaro,
give him my thllllk:s for a careful · Dear Jim,
reading and .the nice things he
It's time to renew.: Where did
said about the book.
the year go-w:ow! ·Best wishes
Happy · holidays and a great · to all West Enders. · :
2009 too.
Al Grosser
Herb·Gans
The years are flying by.... ··
Dear Jim and hello to fellow
West Enders;
Enclosed is a _check for The
West Ender. Years are flying by
and we're still, more or less,
keeping in touch~ When The
West Ender arrives, evecything
is put on hold till it's completely
read. What memoiies it brings.
Thank . you Jim for making
this'possible.
Sincerely,
Ida Caccia Ordwa
•
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~be
PAGE 12 .
Gou..n~et
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