I think it is time to meet one of the people that started all this.....This is my mothers father. His name is Bernardo Prudente, called Benny.....He was born in March 1890 and died in October 1950.
He was not your typical Italian grandfather from that era. He was always smiling and joking. He loved kids and aways carried candy in his pocket to give out to them. He loved a funny joke and took a joke with a broad grin. He was a tailor by trade and he was doing just that when he passed away. He was at work, stitching a ladies coat on a sewing machine. He stood up, and had a heart attack and that was it. His brother Jimmy, was working right next to him and was with him at the end. His wife, my grandmother, Margaret died very young, she was 42 and died January 14th shortly before my mothers wedding in September 1936.(Which also happens to be Janets birthday - 1939). That is where we get out Irish heritage. Her maiden name was Neary. She had red hair and freckles and looked like my mom...also I have a picture ( I will post later) and she looks just like Kelly. We heard she also had a great personality and loved a good time. It is a shame we never knew her. Getting back to grandpa, he did remarry but that is another story entirely. I will tell it one day. It's nothing bad, it has a cast of characters that will amuse you, reminiscent of the Soprano's.
So now you have met a few more of your family members with lots more to come.....
6 comments:
He looks like such a pleasant person. He kind of reminds me of Picasso by his looks. It is so cool that you have such fond memories of him, thats great.
Do you know if he was born in the US, or did he come over ?
LUR
Ron...I was not sure but Ayn said he came to Amercia when he was 18...that I do not remember...but for his time he was a COOL guy....
HI
THANKS FOR THAT PICTURE OF GRANDPA I ALWAYS LOVED HIM......
LOVE YA
Moo (as Don and I affectionately refer to our Mother, Lizzie) told me a different version of his death. He was walking to work and fell to the sidewalk with a heart attack. Even though early in the morning and he well dressed, passers-by thought he was drunk and didn't stop to help. Someone who knew him saw him but arrived too late to help. I hope Don's version is true. But, I used Moo's story in Theology classes to teach the importance of not judging others and helping anyone in need - an eye-opener and heart-opener for the students.
I have NEVER seen a photo of him ...
thanks Uncle Don.
love you, K
As I told my sister, the story she is thinking of is when he slipped in the rain, fell and broke his arm...a truck crew working for the city picked him up and took him to the hospital. The day he died he was at work with his brother...October 19, 1950
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