COLLISION COURSE: THE DELUCCA ACCIDENT

COLLISION COURSE: THE DELUCCA ACCIDENT – INTERSECTION OF SWANTON ROAD AND STATE HIGHWAY 1 (THE COAST ROAD).


AUGUST 1, 2007, IS THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGIC DELUCCA ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED JUST NORTH OF DAVENPORT. THE PHOTO ABOVE HAS NEVER BEEN PUBLISHED BEFORE. IT WAS SENT TO ME BY JIM SILVA, A RELATIVE AND CLOSE FRIEND OF THE DELUCCAS. IT SHOWS THE DELUCCA FAMILY STANDING IN FRONT OF THEIR RECENTLY PURCHASED AUTOMOBILE, A BLACK 1941 BUICK. THIS PHOTO PROBABLY WAS TAKEN A FEW DAYS, PERHAPS EVEN A FEW HOURS, BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: AMERIGO DELUCCA, WIFE MATILDA (BROVIA) DELUCCA, DAUGHTER MARIE, SON ANTHONY AND DAUGHTER DOLORES. THE LITTLE GIRL STANDING IN FRONT OF AMERIGO IS DAUGHTER MADONNA (DONNA) DELUCCA. MR. AND MRS. MANUAL QUANDROS WHO ALSO WERE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT; DO NOT APPEAR IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH. (Individuals whose names appear in bold type were killed at the time of the accident, or died shortly thereafter.)

THE TOP PHOTO IS OF A 1941 BUICK SIMILAR TO THE ONE DRIVEN BY AMERIGO DELUCCA THAT ILL-FATED EVENING. THE BOTTOM PHOTO IS THE ACTUAL VEHICLE AFTER THE VIOLENT COLLISION.
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During the course of my thirty year police career, I learned that many tragic events would not have occurred at all, if it wasn’t for the happening of certain other events just preceding the tragedy. The DeLucca Accident is a case in point.


Event#1: THE DELUCCA’S DECIDE TO TAKE NEIGHBORS TO SAN GREGORIO

The DeLucca’s ill-fated journey “su per la costa” probably started in Santa Cruz, during the late Friday afternoon hours of August 1, 1947. The DeLucca’s reportedly were taking their neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Manual Quandros to San Gregorio, a small agricultural hamlet located several miles north of Davenport and the Swanton Road – Highway 1 intersection. Counting the Quandros, there were eight passengers in the car, a Black, 1941 Buick, recently purchased by the DeLuccas. Normally, the vehicle was designed to carry up to six passengers.

Event# 2. THE DELUCCA’S DECIDE TO STOP AT BELTRAMI’S; DELAYING THEIR JOURNEY BY SEVERAL MINUTES

Norma (Dinelli) Wilson, then 7 years-old, recalls seeing the DeLucca’s at Beltrami's, a small bar and gasoline station located on the Coast Road, mid-way between Santa Cruz and Davenport. The Dinelli family used to live in the house next door to Beltrami’s. Norma remembers the shiny black car and she remembers talking with the DeLucca children seated inside. She also remembers them waving good-by to her as the DeLucca’s left Beltrami’s and continued their journey north toward Davenport.

Norma doesn’t remember how long the stop was, however, one can assume it was several minutes.

Event# 3: THE DELUCCA’S DECIDE TO MAKE A SECOND STOP AT NEW TOWN; FURTHER DELAYING THEIR JOURNEY.

Patty Morelli, age 6 at the time, remembers the DeLucca’s stopping in New Town, just north of Davenport and just south of the Swanton Road – Highway 1 intersection. Patty lived in New Town with her family. Patty recalls that the DeLucca’s stopped to see Julia Stefani, Matilda DeLucca’s sister. According to Patty, all the neighbors came out to see the beautiful new car. Again, one can assume that this stop was of several minutes in duration.

Event# 4. REPORT OF BRUSH FIRE AT CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY (CDF) BIG CREEK STATION OFF OF SWANTON ROAD.

About the time that the Delucca’s were visiting in New Town, the California Department of Forestry (CDF) received a report of a brush fire at a location south of the Swanton Road-Coast Road intersection. They dispatched a CDF fire truck with a crew of six men. Truck and crew proceeded in a south-westerly direction on Swanton Road towards the Coast Road. Reportedly, the truck’s Red Light and Siren were activated.

Event#5: THE DELUCCA’S DECIDED TO CONTINUE ON THEIR JOURNEY TO SAN GREGORIO SHORTLY BEFORE 6:30 PM.

Having finished their visit in New Town, the Delucca’s decide to continue their journey north on Highway 1. This is about the same time that, the CDF truck traveling on Swanton Road is nearing the Highway 1 intersection.


THE COLLISION

The Santa Cruz Sentinel (Aug 2, 1947) reported that the tragic accident occurred at approximately 6:30 PM. For the accident to have occurred as it did, the two vehicles had to arrive at the intersection at approximately the same time. If either vehicle had arrived at the intersection a minute or two before or a minute or two after, the collision would never have happened.

As reported in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the accident probably occurred in the following manner: The DeLucca car, traveling north on the Coast Road, broadsided the CDF truck as it entered the intersection. Apparently the driver of the car, Amerigo DeLucca, did not see the fire truck soon enough to avoid the collision.

The Sentinel identified the dead victims as Amerigo DeLucca (driver), age thirty-six, Donna DeLucca, age four, Anthony DeLucca, age nine, Mr.Manual Quandros, age sixty, and Mrs. Manual Quandros, age fifty-five. Members of the DeLucca family, seriously injured were identified as Matilda Delucca, age thirty. Marie Delucca, age 12, and Dolores Delucca, age 10. None of the CDF crew was killed.

The August 3, 1947, edition of the Santa Cruz Sentinel gives some evidence on just how violent the collision was. It describes the front end of the DeLucca car being, “smashed back into the front seat, completely demolishing the sedan; the fire truck was a total wreck, with its strong, reinforced steel frame bent and the cab knocked right off the frame, smashing wheels and axle.” The year-end edition off the Sentinel, dated 10/31/47, re-published a picture of the accident, and stated that it “was probably the worst traffic accident in the history of Santa Cruz County.” So badly damaged was the DeLucca automobile that the only identifying item clearly distinguishable was the California licenses plate, number 35 H 170.

La Nostra Costa, mourned the dead, especially the children, for years to come. The accident has never been quite forgotten in the memories of those who heard the sirens and the ambulances streaming up an down the Coast Road, transporting the dead and injured that frightful evening.

With hindsight, it is easy to speculate if this accident would have happened if one or two of the events cited above had not occurred. If the DeLuccas had decided not to take the Quandros to San Gregorio, would they have continued north of Davenport that evening? There would have been no reason to do so. If they had decided to go north,even without the Quandros, would a less crowded vehicle have allowed for less distractions for the driver. Theoretically, this could have given Amerigo DeLucca, more time to take evasive action.

If the DeLuccas had not made their stop at Beltrami’s and/or in New Town, the chances would have been greatly increased that their vehicle would have passed through the intersection of Swanton and Coast Road, before the arrival of the CDF truck. On the other hand, if they would have stayed longer at either one of these locations the CDF truck probably would have passed through the intersection prior to the Delucca’s vehicle arrival.

Of course, something that was beyond the control of everyone involved was the timing of the brush fire. No brush fire reported; no dispatching of the CDF crew. No dispatching of the CDF crew; no accident. As I have experienced in my police career, a seemingly routine happening, sets in motion a series of events that can have dire and even tragic consequences. Unfortunately this was so true for the DeLucca and Quandros families.

We must also address the issue of driver(s) error. The Santa Cruz Sentinel reported that the DeLucca vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed. The force of the collision tends to verify this. It is quite possible, even probable, that the accident could have been avoided, if the vehicle was going at a much slower speed. On the other hand, if the CDF truck hadn’t pulled out into the intersection, when it did this accident would not have happen. Red lights and siren were activated, but red lights and siren do not relieve one from exercising due caution when driving on a public highway.

It was my experience that during a “Code 3 run” (red lights and siren activated), entering an intersection was probably the most dangerous part of the "run". Traveling at a fast or a slow rate of speed, drivers of vehicles having the right of way on through roadways do not normally expect to see an emergency vehicle pulling into an intersection. Many drivers have their windows up and do not hear the siren or if they do hear it, they are momentarily confused as to which direction it is coming from. Believe it or not some drivers have trouble seeing the red lights and/or, for a moment, can not comprehend what they signify or what is happening.

Even with my red lights and siren activated, it was my practice to make a full stop at an intersection; I made sure that vehicles on the opposite corner(s) were at a full stop before I proceeded through. This is called “due caution” and it comes with proper training and experience. My philosophy was that it wasn’t going to do anybody any good to save a few seconds on the “run” if an accident on the way prevented me from arriving at my destination.


Finally, as I have stated in “La Nostra Costa” (Page 357), these are, “Just the thoughts of an “old cop” here. I don’t think it matters much any more. People died here so long ago and nothing can ever change that.” All that is left now is our memories of those who died that terrible evening on August 1, 1947.*

*Other portions of this article were also taken from the book “La Nostra Costa” (Our Coast) by Ivano Franco Comelli and published by Authorhouse, (2006), http://www.authorhouse.com/ .

For more information on "La Nostra Costa", please visit the new La Nostra Costa Website:

www.lanostracosta.com-a.googlepages.com

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SADLY, JIM SILVA HAS JUST INFORMED ME OF THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER; DIVA (ROCCHI) SILVA. HER DEATH OCCURRED ON AUGUST 1, 2007, THE 60th ANNIVERSARY OF HER BROTHER AMERIGO'S DEATH IN THE TERRIBLE ACCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE. BELOW IS HER REMEMBRANCE AS IT APPEARED IN THE CONTRA COSTA TIMES:

Diva Gloria Silva
Diva Gloria Silva Aug. 23, 1917 - Aug. 1, 2007 Resident of Rodeo Diva was born to Italian immigrant parents Pietro and Maria Rocchi in Bonny Doon, California and was a 66-year resident of Rodeo. Diva retired from Brookside Hospital, San Pablo, California and enjoyed many years of retirement. During her retirement she traveled extensively to many countries in Europe, and also visited Australia and New Zealand. She enjoyed trips to Reno and her weekly bingo games with her many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Silva; and daughter, Diane Bessolo. Diva is survived by sons, Jimmie J. Silva, Rodeo, Frank Silva and daughter-in-law Sheri, Hercules. She also leaves grandchildren, Rick and Paul Silva, Martinez, Matthew and Lesley Silva, Hercules, John, Darrin and Jimmy Bessolo, Rodeo; eleven great-grandchildren and son-in-law, John Bessolo, of Rodeo. Diva will be remembered for her kindness, love of family, friends, giving nature and zest for life. She touched many during her long life and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew her. Private graveside services will be held in Santa Cruz, California. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

SPROUZZI ALA JOUNZZI

RUSS JONES , A FORMER SAN JOSE POLICE OFFICER, SENDS US THE ABOVE PHOTO AND THE ACCOMPANYING RECIPE BELOW. IL PIATTO ABOVE LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, SUBITO. (CLICCA ON THE PIATTO TO MAKA BIGGA.) SI MANGIA!! BUONO,BUONO, BUONO. WAY TO GO RUSS.



Ivano,

Every time I read your blog, I get the appetite for Brussels sprouts.

Here is a picture of what I fixed my wife for dinner tonight. The Brussels sprouts, (which I discovered while growing up in the Los Gatos / Santa Cruz area), are first boiled for about 8 minutes and then, just before serving, sauteed very shortly with mandarin oranges and juice, and a few pine nuts. The polenta has sun dried tomatoes, garlic, (that recipe comes from my first wife, a wonderful Italian girl from Paso Robles). The Abbacchio, or young lamb, comes from here in the Texas Hill Country.

Not bad for a kid named Jones, huh?

Buon Appetito, Russ

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY SHAINA

TODAY WE WILL BE CELEBRATING SHAINA REID’S 21ST BIRTHDAY. SHAINA IS MY GREAT-NIECE AND THE GREAT GRAND-DAUGHTER OF GERVASIO (BRONCO) AND VALENTINA COMELLI, MY MOTHER AND FATHER. CONSEQUENTLY, SHE IS THE GRAND-DAUGHTER OF MY BROTHER, GIOVANNI PRIMO (JOHN) AND HIS WIFE DONNA (MORO) COMELLI. AND OF SOME IMPORTANCE, SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF DENISE (COMELLI) AND MARK REID. ALSO CELEBRATING SHAINA'S BIRTHDAY WILL BE LOU AND ENEZ MORO (LNC: PGS. 329-330), THE OTHER SET OF GREAT GRANDPARENTS , BARBARA REID, GRANDMOTHER, AND LINA (BRESSANI) GEMIGNANI, SHAINA'S GREAT-GREAT AUNT (LNC: PGS 187-200).

Shaina was born and raised in my hometown of Santa Cruz. She graduated from Holy Cross High School and is currently studying at Cabrillo College. Shaina aspires to become a Dental Hygienist.

An interesting fact is that during her growing-up years, Shaina, along with her brother Mathew, lived at ‘Casa D’ Valentina’ (LNC. Pg.316). The one real serious regret my mother had upon learning she was going to cross ‘Il Ultimo Ponte’ at a relatively young age (64) was that she would never get to see her great-grand children born in her life time. Knowing that two of them lived in the very house she had built would have made her very happy. And I am sure that both ‘Bronco’ and Valentina would have been very proud of their Great Grand-Daughter today. ‘Con Un Bacin D’Mor’ ivn0

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Photo Above was taken at 'La Nostra Costa' book signing at the Capitola Bookstore in January of this year. Shaina is wearing her Great-Grandfather's (Bronco) hat.

BUON VIAGGIO DERRILL AND KATHY

NEXT WEEK PROFESSOR DERRILL KERRICK (A NATIVE SON OF SANTA CRUZ) AND HIS LOVELY WIFE KATHY (Top Photo with your Gran Blaggatore) WILL BE TAKING OFF FOR A TOUR OF EUROPE. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THEIR TRIP (AT LEAST FROM MY POINT OF VIEW) IS A THREE-DAY STOP OVER VISIT IN THE TOWN OF NIMIS IN THE FRIULI REGION OF ITALY. AS I WRITE IN 'LA NOSTRA COSTA', NIMIS WAS MY FATHER AND MOTHER’S HOME TOWN.

THEY WILL BE STAYING AT MY COUSIN FERRUCCIO DRI’S RAMANDOLO CLUB (Photo second from top). IN ADDITION TO FERRUCCIO THEY WILL BE GREETED BY COUSINS ANNA MARIA AND CESERE COMELLI (PHOTOGRAPHED ABOVE, STANDING BEFORE AND AUSTRIAN "CASTLE" WITH TWO OF THEIR GRAND CHILDREN). ALSO ON HAND WILL BE MY COUSIN ALDO COMELLI, THE RENOWNED MAKER OF 'VINO ORGANICO' IN NIMIS. HE IS PHOTOGRAPHED ABOVE WITH HIS LOVELY BLOND FRIEND, OLGA.

IF THEY WERE NOT ENOUGH, TWO OLD FRIENDS (Bottom Photo), MAMMA NANNA AND BABY NANNA . WILL BE ON HAND AT THE RAMANDOLO CLUB (Website: www. ramadoloclub.it ) TO MAKE SURE THAT THE KERRICKS HAVE A GOOD TIME.

BTW: DERRILL AND KATHY HAVE PROMISED TO DO A WRITE-UP OF THEIR EXPERIENCE IN NIMIS FOR THE BLAGGA. THAT AN LOTS OF PHOTOS TO BOOT. EXCITING......DON'T YOU THINK?? GB

HAPPY BIRTHDAY- FIGLIO DELLA COSTA- MARVIN DEL CHIARO

Photos: At the top: Marv, in his Roaring Camp Conductor's Uniform, wife Elaine and grandson Cameron. Second from the top: Laurel School Traffic Boys and their Trophies (1949). Marv is seated at the left in the front row; your 'Gran Blaggatore' is seated on the left in the rear row. (See Comments Section for further IDs.) Third from the top: At the SCHS Class of '55 Reunion (2005): Left to right: Jim Ceragioli, Marv; Muriel (McPherson) Prolo, 'Gran Blaggatore' and Jerry Mungai. (We all attended Laurel School, initially.) Bottom Photo: Marv and the 'Old Rancere' at Davenport/Coast Road Day 2005.

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FIGLIO DELLA COSTA MARVIN DEL CHIARO IS CELEBRATING HIS 7OTH BIRTHDAY THIS SATURDAY. MARV AND I GO BACK SOME 65 YEARS, WHEN WE FIRST MET AT LAUREL SCHOOL. I WRITE ABOUT MARV AND HIS FAMILY IN 'LA NOSTRA COSTA'. NOW, IN HIS OWN HAND HE GIVES US A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEL CHIARO - FERRARI FAMILIES AND THEIR LIVES 'SU PER LA COSTA'.

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Hi Ivano: I finally located the bio you mentioned having seen back around May, 2006. It was part of an email I sent to Glenn Kimmel. Historical background - Marvin J. DEL CHIARO, Scotts Valley, CA For those of you who don't know me, I've been a train lover since we lived along the RR track on West Cliff Dr., starting in 1940. I developed a relationship with the trainmen on the Southern Pacific route which passed our house daily. They threw me toys from the train, and in fact, I still treasure a metal battleship and a plastic tanker (ship) to this day.

Even during the blackouts of WWII, when any lights were absolutely prohibited, they would turn on a small light in the engine on their way back down from Davenport, so I could see them returning my wave; I didn't miss waving to the train, day or night, for probably six to eight years. Now at age 70, that feeling of excitement has never gone away. I've been working part time as a conductor and greeter at Roaring Camp.

I am son and second child (my older sister is Dolores Del Chiaro Locatelli, who still resides in Santa Cruz) of Lisandro (Andrew) Del Chiaro and Effie Ferrari Del Chiaro, who raised row crops along the Coast and in Swanton. Primarily we grew artichokes, from 1918 until 1959. My dad started in Tunitas Creek (north of Half Moon Bay) in 1918, and ended up raising artichokes on 25 acres in the general vicinity of Ingalls and Swift Streets (bordered by the RR track and Delaware St.), on the west side of S anta Cruz, east of the former Lipton plant. He sold the property and retired in 1959.

At one point, in the late 1920's or early 30's, I understand my father was in partnership in a ranch along the Coast with Dante Dinelli, Norma Dinelli Wilson's father.

I worked on the family ranch/farm from the time I was about 8 years old, until I left for the Army in 1959, and also began raising my own cattle from about 1956 to 1964. I ran a very small feeding operation, where I would buy feeder steers and fatten them up, selling dressed half beefs to a number of repeat customers.

I know I was working in the fields, with my mom, dad, and sister, picking broccoli, in August, 1945, because on VJ Day, the day WWII ended, the box factory and packing sheds all blew their whistles to commemorate the occasion. All of a sudden, our horse, Betsy, a very spirited mare, took off up the field, wagon in tow, with broccoli bouncing out right and left (horses don't like whistles). It's a sight I'll never forget. It was the first time in about four years that we went to bed at night, feeling much safer. All along the West Coast, we lived in constant fear of an invasion by Imperial Japanese forces.

My maternal grandparents, Battista (John) and Antonietta (Mattei) Ferrari, originally immigrated from Italy around the turn of the century (1900). My grandfather worked for the Southern Pacific shops in Oakland in 1905, but quit after a dear friend was killed in an industrial accident on the job. He then worked on an orchard in Santa Clara and later raised hogs in Butcher Town, which is now Hunter's Point in San Francisco. He and his brothers-in-law collected swill (edible garbage) by horse and wagon from many of the finest hotels and restaurants in the "City". (This evokes many more stories about interaction with the chefs and their kindness, too numerous to mention.)

Finally, the family came to Davenport from SF in 1920 (a memorable trip, and another story in itself), and operated the Mucchettini (spell?) dairy until the Great Depression hit. They then raised beef cattle on a 2000 acre ranch just north of the cement plant until my grandfather sold his herd in 1945.

One of my aunts, Domenica (Marie) Ferrari Innocenti, as a young girl, worked for the Morelli's as a cashier at the original Davenport Cash Store, back in the 1920's. A large contingent of Coast Artillery were located on my grandfather's property during WWII, and they often brought my grandparents leftovers from the mess hall. I believe my grandfather reciprocated by giving them fresh farm eggs, milk, and other products he raised. These fine African American soldiers grew very fond of my grandparents. After the War, thery came back to visit on occasion .

At that time, my grandparents had moved to a house on West Cliff Dr, just south of Mission St. (now Natural Bridges Dr.), where my aunt Emma Ferrari Musitelli still resides (I lived there from 1940 to 1945, then moved down the track a few hundred yards to the Ingalls St. ranch).

There are a multitude of anecdotal stories that go along with the Ferrari family and their dairy/cattle ranch, which bordered the original train tracks (now Hwy. 1), including reports of cattle rustling, nights spent playing cards with the local Irish priest, Father O'Flynn, an alleged visit by a well known train robber by the name of Gardner, who never used a gun, but would poke his pipe in the back of the engineer's back to stop the > train, visits from their Maltese friends from San Francisco and the wonderful baked good they would bring with them, the goat who ate the cloth roof of one of the touring cars, men hired as milkers with questionable pasts, stories of the "tramps" during the depression who rode the rails and came by for a meal, of my grandmother tossing my aunt into the grass, from the buggy, when the horse bolted and she was captive in a buggy with a runaway horse, of cozy fires built in the stove in the one room schoolhouse they all attended at the "Landing", and how the school building itself was moved from Swanton overnight because of a disagreement with the teacher, and on and on.

What still amazes me is that a number of rifles and shotguns were stored behind the kitchen door, and with all of us grandkids running around, none of us ever dreamed of touching one of those weapons without permission. Respect for elders and the unwritten code of never bringing shame upon the family name was paramount. You behaved not because of fear of punishment, but for fear of hurting the family's reputation. We really never had a lot of money, so our good name and our word had to be unblemished. Business was transacted on a handshake. My grandfather was a cheesemaker. Originally there was no electricity therefore lighting was provided by coal oil lanterns. So without refrigeration, milk was sold locally, the cream was separated and shipped by train to Santa Cruz to the creameries (cream didn't spoil as fast as the milk), and the remaining milk was used to make a type of dry Monterey Jack cheese. I remember the "cheese room", with the cheeses wrapped in cheese cloth, then rubbed with black pepper, and turned periodicaly during the aging process.

The building used to make the cheese is still standing. If you follow "the old highway" past the Cement Plant, past the New Town, you'll see it on your right just shortly before you come to the current Hwy. 1. You can't miss it, with it's beautiful coupola. If you cross the highway, you are continuing on the original road, which takes you past Davenport Landing, and back to Highway 1; if you cross again, you will continue on the old road to Swanton. This was the original road connecting Pescadero and Half Moon Bay with Davenport, before the current Hwy. 1 was built, partly on the old railroad bed.

I was born in 1937 while my parents were living at Davenport Landing, so I consider Davenport my place of birth, although I was actually born at the old Hanley Hospital, which was located where the parking lot for the Coast Santa Cruz Hotel (formerly the Dream Inn) is now located. I was baptised at the St. Vincent de Paul church in Davenport in 1937, but then made my First Communion and Confirmation at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz. I attended school with

Ivan(o) Comelli from first grade through graduation from San Jose State (Laurel Elementary, Mission Hill Jr. High, and Santa Cruz High); we were roomates at SJSC for two+ years, he was best man at my wedding, and we served in the same Army Reserve unit, the 422nd MP Co. (PCS) for a while. We're still close friends.

Elaine and I are both retired and have been living in Scotts Valley since we married on the fourth of July, 1966; Elaine is the daughter of Eddie and Emma Costella, now both deceased. The Costella's operated Costella's Chalet in Felton from the mid 1940's until the mid-late 70's; Eddie's parents were Louis and Regina (Bach) Costella, who at one time, I believe, operated the old Garibaldi Hotel in the vicinity of where the Wells Fargo Bank is located on River St. in Santa Cruz. ( Of course, it was before the 1955 flood, so it was down at river level.)

We have four wonderful children, Tim Del Chiaro, Cheryl Howard, Jeff Del Chiaro, and Debbie Roberson (Corky) and five special grandchildren, Branden and Christina Del Chiaro, Hailey Howard, and Cameron and Carson Roberson. Luckily, three of our four children live within walking distance, and we can walk to Tim place of work.

My mother, her sisters, my sister and cousins, and many friends attended Agua Puerca School on Davenport Landing Road from the 1920's until about 1940. Both my grandfather and my mother were trustees of the school at different times during those two decades.

Anyway, I guess that gives you some idea of why I feel so much a part of Davenport, and always will. I attend the Davenport/Coast Road Reunions regularly and support the restoration of the Davenport Jail.; Ivan Comelli > and I attended the fund-raiser dinner at the Cash Store last year. Sincerely, Another figlio della costa, Marv

ADIO AMICO DELLA COSTA - SALVATORE (SAL) LOCATELLI

Locatelli remembered as self-made lumberman

By: TOM RAGAN SENTINEL STAFF WRITER

Salvatore Locatelli, an Italian immigrant who came to Santa Cruz with nothing but the clothes on his back but worked long enough and hard enough to own his own lumber business, died July 2 at Stanford University Hospital.

He was 76 and had suffered from a lengthy illness.

Locatelli was a U.S. citizen from his father, who was born in Boulder Creek. He grew up with his mother in Italy, and his father would return to visit every couple of years.

"He came from Italy the year I was born, in 1949," said his wife, Althea Locatelli, 57, of Santa Cruz. "We used to joke to people and say it was an arranged marriage because I'm Italian and my parents came from Italy, too"

In fact, the marriage was arranged, kind of — by Locatelli's brother, Mario, who met Althea while he was a patient at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara. Althea was a nurse at the time and had helped Mario while he was suffering from melanoma — which claimed his life a few years later.

"He wanted to do me a favor, and his brother was single and he really wanted me to meet him," said Althea. "So Sal delivered two cords of firewood to me in October 1985"

And the rest was history. The two hit it off and had been together ever since, she said.

Locatelli came from Berbenno, Bergamo in the northern part of Italy, about an hour from the Alps. His grandfather helped pay for his trip to the United States, where he eventually landed in Ellis Island like hundreds of thousands of immigrants before him.

From there he traveled to San Francisco, then on to Santa Cruz, where he eventually got a job working for the city's Sanitation Department in the day, then cutting lumber in the evenings.

"He'd work early in the morning, then go into the woods in the evening," said Althea. "Then he'd come home, sharpen the chains for the next day, eat dinner, then go to bed"

In the early 1960s, Locatelli founded his own business, Sal Locatelli Firewood, cutting and selling firewood. Family members joined the business in stages: a cousin first, then one brother, another brother and a son. Locatelli retired in 1985 and passed the business to his son Sal J. The company is now owned by one of Locatelli's nephews.

Locatelli was an avid hunter and loved to fish. He also enjoyed making wine and gardening.

Contact Tom Ragan at mailto:tragan@santacruzsentinel.com

Salvatore Locatelli
BORN: Nov. 19, 1930.
DIED: July 2, 2007.
HOME: Santa Cruz.
OCCUPATION: Owned lumber business.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Member of the Marconi Club.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Althea Locatelli of Santa Cruz; sons Richard S. Locatelli, Daniel S. Locatelli and Sal J. Locatelli, all of Santa Cruz; stepson Jeremy Gibson of Tacoma, Wash.; stepdaughter Cheryce Chartier of Elkhurst; brothers John Locatelli and Joe Locatelli, both of Santa Cruz; sister Angie Inman of Bakersfield; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

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PRIMO CARNERA - FIGLIO DEL FRIULI

PHOTOS: At the top, Primo's villa built in the 1930's in Sequals that is now converted into a museum for all his memorabilia. Next photo; Primo Carnera and Max Baer posing in civilian clothes with Jack Dempsey (1933); next photo; Primo Carnera, circa 1933. Fourth photo from the top; Primo Carnera KOs Jack Sharkey,winning the Heavyweight Championsship 1933. Bottom Photo; Carnera and Max Baer in the ring before their Championship fight; June 1934. All these photos from the Primo Carnera Commerative Calender sent to me courtsey of Doriano Degano.

The photo second from the bottom is from the 'La Nostra Costa Archives' (c.1934). It shows Frank Bragazzi on the right. Better known su per la costa as "Carabiniere", he was often described as being even bigger than Primo Carnera. In the photo with "Carabinere" are Mary and Bepo Ferlizza. All three were part-owners (along with Frank and Pina Micossi) of the Hotel D'Italia in Davenport. All were from the same Region in Italy (Friuli) as Primo Carnera.

This photo just sent me
(6-9-2012)
 by F. John LaBarba,
shows Primo Carnera holding
John's Father, World
Flyweight Champion Fidel LaBarba
   c. 1927).

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In "La Nostra Costa" I write about Primo Carnera who was the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion 1933 to 1934. Because Primo was from the Friuli Region (same area that my father was born and raised), he became a great source of pride for 'Bronco' . Doriano Degano, the 'Canadian Furlan' has sent me the above photos of Carnera and also an excellent summary of his history.

Ivan0: You really started the juices flowing for me with your book on "La Nostra Costa".

Attached are some photos taken from Primo Carnera's commemorative calander celebrating his 100th anniversary of his birth. This is Primo's data from a Professional boxing site called boxing records. As you will note Primo was born in Sequals which at the time of his birth was under the province of Udine but today it falls under the jurisdiction of Pordenone. As you know Friuli is comprised of the following four provinces, Udine, Pordenone, Gorizia, and Trieste, these are all in order of population size.

Note Primo's boxing record 104 total bouts 88 wins with 14 losses 2 no contests.

Primo won the Heavy Weight Championship by KO 6th round over Jack Sharkey June 29, 1933 at Madison Square Garden Bowl Long Island NY, 40,000 people in attendance. Primo lost the Heavy Weight Championship against Max Baer June 14, 1934, 11th Round TKO, as it occurred Primo was knocked down 11 times during the bout. However we can also say he got up 11 times as well. No excuses here for our fellow Furlan but I really think after winning the title Primo did not focus as much as he should have and became very distracted during his title reign. Too many guest appearances too much time away from the ring and subsequently as we all know Primo suffered the most devastating experience in the ring. One of his opponents Ernie Shaaf died during their bout in 1933.. just prior to fighting Sharkey for the title.

This all combined to affect Primo negatively. Also Primo was very strong naturally and he could take a tremendous punishment. As I mentioned before Primo was an extremely agile boxer for his size, he developed and maintained an excellent left jab and did extremely well with smaller much faster opponents. As you know Primo's size was a hindrance as well, similar to George Foreman the shear size and weight tired him out... as you will note Primo contained hugh muscles and his hand size was almost 2 times the size of a regular man during his time.
The attached photographs show a few details of his career as a professional boxer; boxing photos of his younger days, Primo shaking Max Baer's Hand agreeing to fight him with Jack Dempsey in the back ground, etc.

During Primo's time prior to and after winning the Heavy Weight Championship, Mussolini's Fascists used Primo to promote the Fascist superman machine to the entire world. They dictated to Primo to wear the black shirt at all events promoting his Fascist roots. However, as soon as Primo lost the Heavy Weight Championship Mussolini and the fascist party wrote him off. This gets better, during his return to Italy after loosing the title and during the war Primo supported the partisans, since his home town Sequals is located in the pre-Alps where most of the Paritsans held their own against the enemy. Primo made certain that anything and everything the Partisans needed was delivered to them in order to win the war against Fascism.

According to reports, the Fascists tried to punish Primo for his anti-Fascist exercises and a couple of Fascist officers questioned Primo. The questioning turned very ugly and two of the Fascist officers ended up stabing Primo in the back with a bale hook, Primo lived with an ugly scar on his back. I do not know what happened to the Fascist soldiers, but I would imagine Primo busted them up. Once the Allies started up towards the Northern territories of Italy and into Friuli a couple of American Infantry companies were warmly greeted by Carnera into his home, he took out the food and wine and made sure they were well looked after.. Typical Furlan...


Primo Carnera

Sex
Male
Nationality
Italian
Alias
The Ambling Alp
Hometown
Sequals, Italy
Birthplace
Sequals, Italy
Division
Heavyweight
Date of Birth
1906-10-25
Date of Death
1967-06-29
Age at Death
60
Reach
85½ inches
Stance
Orthodox
Height
6' 5½
W 88 (72 ko's) (+ 1 news) L 14 D 0 Total 104

IL BUCO - LA CUOCA - LA TORTA

Top photo: What's left of the 'Old Cookahousa' after it burned down. Just a pile of burnt out lumber. Second photo: The 'Old Rancere' talks to the new owners of 'Il Buco' , Jean and Andrew HSU. Next photo: The 'Old Rancere' (back to the camera) looking wistfully at the path 'Bronco' took as he descended into 'Il Buco'. The sheds in the background were there (all-be-it at a different location) when 'Bronco' worked the Gulch Ranch. Bottom photo: 'Il Buco' as viewed from the Coast Road. The old barn can be seen in the foreground. (Photos from the La Nostra Costa Photo Archives.)

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'BLAGGATORI' WHO HAVE READ 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH CHAPTER 8 - "LA CUOCA" (THE COOK). IN THAT CHAPTER I DESCRIBE SOME OF THE DELICIOUS FOOD THAT VALENTINA (MY MOTHER) WOULD COOK FOR THE RANCERI AT THE OLD 'COOKAHOUSA' IN 'IL BUCO' ON THE GULCH RANCH. ONE OF THOSE DISHES WAS 'LA TORTA'. IN HIS E-MAIL BELOW, GINO "D'BAFFI" CAMPIONI REQUESTS THE RECIPE. LaNORMA THEN DISHES UP THE RECIPE THAT HER MOTHER DIANA DINELLI USED.

Dear Ivano:

Once again I have made the mistake of reading from your book at bedtime. Now I know that I won't be able to sleep for a long time. This is not too good, as tomorrow I need to rise earlier than normal. Oh well, I'll get over it.

I just wanted to share a few thoughts brought on by reading chapter 8 about La Cuoca. Any strange spelling you may attribute to what I call "Itanglish", or the Italianizing of American words.

Do you remember the number of il telefone in the cuccausse? It was 6 Y 1 1. (In Itanglish: Sikissy uai wan wan) The number for Herman Mortara's grocery near the plaza on Pacific Avenue was 8 6. (eitte sikissy)

You mentioned the wonderful torta that you mother made. My mother called it "Torta con becchi", (becchi meaning beaks or peaks. The way the crust was pinched into peaks all around the edge of the torta) If you know the recipe for it, I should greatly appreciate your sending it to me. I think that besides the ingredients you mentioned, it sometimes contained bietola. (Swiss chard) My mother also doctored it up with vermouth or something. I was always allowed to sip anything my parents had, and was sometimes served "coffee royals" or acqua calda con vischi e limone. (hot water with bourbon and a bit of lemon peel) I was a happy baby! A wonder that I never took a serious interest in liquor.

Gino, figliolo del famoso Baffi.

TORTA TOSCANA ALA DIANA

(Makes 4 Pies)

Ingredients for filling:
1-1/2 cups cooked rice
½ loaf dried French bread (soaked in water –
then squeezed dry
6 tablespoons cocoa (chocolate baking –
Hershey’s)
½ cup pine nuts
¼ cup grated cheese
5 eggs
½ to 1 cup sugar (to taste)
2 cups chopped cooked Swiss chard
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 bunch chopped parsley
1 cup raisins
1 cup glazed fruit
1 tablespoon of whiskey

Fry chard and parsley in small amount of oil:
Add salt and pepper to this. Put in bowl and
Add rest of ingredients, mix well and let set.
Add whisky to ingredients. (To taste- plus or minus)

CRUST FOR PIES:

Ingredients:
4 cups of flour
4 eggs beaten
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 cup of sugar and include ½ cup of brown
sugar in it.
1 cup melted Crisco and butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup whiskey
½ teaspoon salt

Mix flour, baking powder, salt: add 4 eggs,
Vanilla, whiskey, Crisco and mix well. If
Dough is too soft, add flour until firm. If it
Gets too firm add small amounts of milk.
Roll on floured board, small amount of dough
At a time, enough to fit into one pie dish at a time.


Allow dough to hang over edge. Roll dough on edge
of dish to make “Becci” (means peaks) cut with knife.
Put dough on a slant all around the rim of pie plate.

TOPPING

Ingredients:
1 egg well beaten
1 teaspoon whiskey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ tablespoon sugar
(A little butter to dot rim of crust)

Blend egg, vanilla, whiskey and sugar
Spread about 2 tablespoons over each pie dot
Section of crust rim with butter. Bake at
375 degrees in oven, for 55 minutes, or until
crust is deep golden brown.

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AS LOUIE THE RANCERE WOULD SAY, "HMMMM."BUONO, BUONO, BUONO. SI MANGIA".

AMICA DELLA COSTA CATHY BROVIA - REMEMBERS

Cathy Brovia (center) with sister-in-law Lena (Brovia)Castiglione and the "Old Rancere" at 'La Nostra Costa Day' held at Jim Cochron's Swanton Berry Farm last year. Small photo in background is of a very young Joe 'Pino' Brovia the 'Davenport Destroyer'. Cathy's husband, Joe Brovia is also photographed (Top Right) in his Cincinnati Reds Uniform circa 1955 (Click on photos for enlarged image.)
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SO SOME OF YOU THINK THAT THE ITALIANS LIVING 'SU PER LA COSTA' HAD IT ROUGH. CHECK OUT CATHY BROVIA'S RECOLLECTION OF THOSE 'HARD TIMES' -AND NOT 'SU PER LA COSTA'.

Hi Ivano,

Thanks for your book and the ‘Blagga’. I understand completely when you say that some Italian people are less interested in their history in Davenport during those times of depression and hard work, than people who are not Italians. I may be a lot older than you, but I came from a very small town in Minnesota, just like Davenport. I worked in a restaurant, doing everything for $12.00 a week (6 days a week).. It was a greyhound stop on the way to Minneapolis. I also shocked grain with my mother for .05 and .10 cents an hour.... 8 hour days... and the canning factories, working along side of prisoners from Germany, Poland and a few other countries...I worked in sweat shops, different jobs, grabbing chickens that had been stabbed in the neck, and dipped in hot water, so that I could grab them steaming hot still alive, and put them on the ruffer to take most of the feathers off (with infection in my eyes from the feathers) and rotating other duties.

These chickens and poultry were frozen and sent to our troops in WW II. I don't remember what I was paid, but not very much. We appreciated any work, and did anything to make a few dollars to buy the rationed things including food and clothing and GASOLINE.. ABOUT .25 cents a gal... I know I could do those things again, but the kids today might laugh at you if they were offered a job like that...

We did not have indoor toilets, or bathrooms. On Saturday night all the kids had to bathe in the same tub, after heating the water from the stove, or getting it from a barrel which collected rain water, and was heated by the sun. I remember every room in that farm house, and when I got scalded on both legs pulling down a tea kettle full of hot water off the pot belly stove that I thought needed changing on a cold winter's night. I remember my uncle Paul, big fisherman,that was playing cards when it happened. I remember standing in the sink, people pumping cold water from the cistern on my legs, only to make big blisters. I remember doctors office,,,, aunt changing dressings on the burns from my hips to the toes. ( My mother could not do it.... Aunt Corrine, did the dressings) I still have scars from the burns on the inside of my knees. Aunt Corrine has long been gone, and husband Peanut succumbed many years before her... Bless her...

I have a beautiful Aunt ‘Snooks’ who is 86; we used to go on wallpaper and paint jobs when other work was not available...Boy, some of those old farm houses had so many layers of wallpaper on them... causing the corners to be rounded. The ceilings were the worse to paper...But when we finished the job, it was perfect...We were probably paid $1.50 a room... My beautiful Aunt "Snooks" and I still talk on the telephone and we just reminisce over those great years.

I also lived in South Dakota with another aunt and uncle during the canning season, Saturday nights were very special. We all went to a nice place on the lake for dinner that had a great band. I recall Lawrence Welk and a three piece band playing there... My uncle was a great dancer, and loved to enjoy himself. He loved to have a great time. What a beautiful man he was...They are both dead now, but I still remember those wonderful times as a young person.


Two years ago, my brother John and I drove back to Minn. for a graduation. We had a wonderful time together, as we had not been together for many years.... We drove to our family farm, which is now property of the state. As I remembered, it was such a beautiful place in a valley. The old school house is still standing, as well as a few unoccupied old homes. Our home has been torn down, however; the barn is still standing.... the barn that my father borrowed money to build for $1000.00. Later, after my father died, the bank foreclosed. I think about 365 acres of ground along a beautiful falls and creek, is now a state park.

My grandmother on my fathers side managed a boarding house at one time. My grandparents on my mother’s side are long gone, but the old house is still..... barely.... standing... no one tore it down... I have pictures of these buildings, and it breaks my heart to think, I stayed in that house so many times, sleeping on the feather mattresses between my aunts, that my grandmother had made from the goose down... and eating the food that my grandmother cooked on the old small dark and dreary kitchen wood stove... all by kerosene light... The table was made by my grandfather...He had a beautiful library that he built, and had so many books, along with the beautiful family bible, containing all the family births and deaths. (I remember the damn geese would chase us kids every time we would go outside... but grandma finally cooked their goose at Thanksgiving time.


Ivano, you have certainly brought back so many memories to me, but I have no one to share them with.... I guess that is why I respect you for doing your beautiful book, and the love that you showed of your parents and aunts etc... I have so many thoughts that go through my mind at times.

My home town had a 100th anniversary quite a few years back, but I did not know about it... I took my husband Joe (Brovia) back in 1971. Joe wanted to know what kind of town I lived in after we left the beautiful farm. I said(kidding), “ Oh, its just a small town like Davenport”. Not quite. I didn’t tell him that at that time we had several gas stations, a bank, several groceries, barber shop, pool hall, butcher shop, post office, merchandise store, liquor store, hardware store, bowling alley, and many other businesses. In fact, it really was a great lively, beautiful town when I lived there.

Well, after not being back in my home town of Morton, Minnesota for so many years, I was so shocked to see that so many businesses had left....... including the restaurant, where I worked and the greyhound bus station. I was amazed that NOW, it really did look like DAVENPORT.!!

.... Bless you Ivano..... Thanks for the good job!!!! Cathy

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To view comments on this article, 'clicca' on ‘comments’ below -- which will take you to the “Comments” page. Then if you wish to add a comment, write your comment in space provided. When done, check off ‘Other’ or ‘Anonymous’ ( NOT 'google/blogger -- and IGNORE ‘Goggle Password Section’). If you check off ‘Other’ write your name in space provided and then click on ‘Publish’. (Note: ‘Other’ must be checked off BEFORE you write your name. ‘Anonymous’ writer: Leave name space blank --just click on Publish.) Ivn0

LOUSY - COP - UNTIL YOU NEED ME - BY AL WILSON

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE READ ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’ KNOW THAT CHP OFFICERS PATROLLING THE OLD COAST ROAD HAD A GREAT INFLUENCE ON ME CROSSING OVER TO THE POLICE PROFESSION.

THE ARTICLE BELOW WAS SUBMITTED BY CHP OFFICER AL WILSON (LaNorma’s Husband), WHO APPEARS IN THE PHOTO ON THE LEFT. THE PHOTO ON THE RIGHT IS OF CHP SERGEANT AL VOIGHT, WHO STARTED HIS POLICE CAREER WITH ME AT THE SAN JOSE POLICE DEPARTMENT. BOTH OF THESE OFFICERS SERVED MANY YEARS IN THE SANTA CRUZ AREA. THEY ARE RETIRED NOW AND LIVE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.

ALL OF US WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR TIME IN THE 'MURKY WORLD' OF THE POLICE, HAVE HAD, AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, THE THOUGHTS THAT ARE EXPRESSED IN THE ARTICLE.

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LOUSY COP – UNTIL YOU NEED ME



Well, Mr. Citizen, I guess you have figured me out. I seem to fit neatly into the category you place me in. I’m stereotyped, characterized, standardized, classified, grouped, and always typical. I’m the Lousy Cop.

Unfortunately, the reverse isn’t true. I can never figure you out.

From birth you teach your children that I am a person to be wary of ….and then you’re shocked when they identify me with my traditional enemy, the criminal.

You accuse me of coddling juvenile criminals, until I catch your kid.

You may take an hour for lunch and several coffee breaks each day, but point me out as a loafer if you see me having just one cup.

You pride yourself on your polished manners, but think nothing of interrupting my meals with your troubles.

You raise Hell about the guy who cuts you off in traffic, but let me catch you doing the same thing and I’m picking on you.

You know all the traffic laws, but never got one ticket you deserved.

You shout “FOUL!” if you observe me driving fast enroute to an emergency call, but literally raise Hell if I take more than ten seconds responding to your call.

You call it “part of my job” if someone strikes me. But it’s “Police Brutality” if I strike back.

You wouldn’t think of telling your dentist how to pull a badly decayed tooth, or your doctor how to take out your appendix, but you are always willing to give me pointers on law enforcement.

You talk to me in a manner and use language that would assure a bloody nose from anyone else, but you expect me to stand there and take it without batting and eye.

You cry, “Something has to be done about all the crime!” but you can’t be bothered with getting involved.

You’ve got no use for me at all, but, of course, it’s OK if I change a tire for your wife, deliver your baby in the back seat of my patrol car on the way to the hospital, save your son’s life with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or work many hours overtime to find your lost daughter.

So, Dear Citizen, you stand there on your soapbox and rant and rave about the way I do my job, calling me every name in the book, but never stop for a moment to think that your property, your family, or maybe your life might depend on one thing – Me, or one of my Buddies.

Yes, Me, The Lousy Cop.

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Wish to comment on this article??? Click on ‘comments’ below -- which will take you to the “Comments” page. Then write your comments in space provided. When done, check off ‘Other’ or ‘Anonymous’ ( NOT 'google/blogger -- and IGNORE ‘Goggle Password Section’). If you check off ‘Other’ write your name in space provided and then click on ‘Publish’. (Note: ‘Other’ must be checked off BEFORE you write your name. ‘Anonymous’ writer: Leave name space blank --just click on Publish.) Ivn0

PVT, AMEDEO LUCCHESI - INFORMATION REQUESTED ON WWII VETERAN KILLED IN ACTION

Photo above is of 'Figlio Della Costa" Attilio Dogliottie who also was killed in World War II. Please see related article in December 2006 archives. Photo courtesy of Gino Campioni.

Photos of Nomandy Beach Head, Memorial, Map and Graveyard, courtesy of Norma and Al Wilson. (Click on Photos for enlarged image.)
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Alverda Orlando forwards a request from Robert and Joan Nelson, seeking information on 'Figlio Della Costa' Amedeo Lucchesi who was killed inWWII.


Hi Ivan.

Do you know where this soldier was buried. I was not aware of this man living in Davenport. I have an incomplete list of coastside men killed in WW 2 and he is not among them.
Thanks for any information you can give me and I will pass it on to the inquirer.
Alverda

From: Robert and Joan Nelson

Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 3:22 PM
Subject: Amadeo Lucchesi

Good Afternoon Alverda, Below you will find the main source of information which I have on Amedeo Lucchesi, the soldier from Davenport who was killed at Normandy.
If you are able to locate any additional information on Lucchesi, his burial location and hopefully a photograph (ideally in uniform) that would be of great assistance. This information is being accumulated for a project I am working on in conjunction with the Central Library. Thanks in advance for any information which you migh provide.
nels


(Santa Cruz, Sentinel August 10, 1944 1:3)

Amadeo Lucchesi Killed in Action on Normandy Front
Pvt. Amadeo Lucchesi, a member of the 314th infantry, was killed in action in France June 20, his widow, Mrs. Mary Lucchesi of Davenport, learned in a telegram from the war department this week.

Pvt. Lucchesi entered the army June 15, 1943. He got his training at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, and Camp Phillips, Kansas, and was first assigned to the 42nd or Rainbow division. He later was transferred to the 314th infantry, Mrs. Lucchesi told the Sentinel-News today.
He lived in Sunnyvale before going into the service. His parents still reside there. Mrs. Lucchesi is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Modolo of Davenport.

The telegram gave no details, but it is presumed he died on the Normandy battlefront.

LNC: I don't have any information on Pvt. Lucchesi although the last name is very familiar. Perhaps some of our 'Blaggatori" do. I know that the Modolo name mentioned in the article was/is well known 'su per la costa.' Please write any information you might have in the space provide after clicking on "comments" below. Mille Grazie. ivn0

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Wish to comment on this article??? Click on ‘comments’ below -- which will take you to the “Comments” page. Then write your comments in space provided. When done, check off ‘Other’ or ‘Anonymous’ ( NOT 'google/blogger -- and IGNORE ‘Goggle Password Section’). If you check off ‘Other’ write your name in space provided and then click on ‘Publish’. (Note: ‘Other’ must be checked off BEFORE you write your name. ‘Anonymous’ writer: Leave name space blank --just click on Publish.) Ivn0

LaNORMA REMEMBERS THE SCARONIS

The Scaroni’s – The Dairy and Family – BEFORE it was the Red, White and Blue Nudie Beach – when it was hard working and Fun people.

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Photos of Scaroni House Courtesy of Al and Norma Wilson. TOP PHOTO 'LA NOSTRA COSTA ARCHIVES': 'BEACH PARTY AT THE SCARONI BEACH' [C.1956]. (From Left to Right: Shirley Wilson(?), Florence Bianco,Unknown, Esther Frizza,Jerrill ('The Old Professor' Kerrick, Alan Cornick (deceased), Jim (FA)Ceragioli, Christine Roen and Jerry Mungai at the extreme right hand edge. )

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Katie, Bill, Johnny and Arnold were the neatest and most unique people. None of them every married. Who remembers?! I know that Dee Murray (Dolores Viviani) does and I am sure many many others. Here are some 0f the things I remember:

They loved company and accommodated so many – in summer I remember Ted Templeton (and some friends) spending time at the Dairy and helping bring down the hay in big wagons (with horses) from the north side of the Old Hwy l. Also Bill and John would stop cars and the cement trucks on the Hwy in the morning and afternoon in order to cross their cows from the north side to the south by their house and where the milking barn was. (The Borges - Arvelas Dairy was the next one
Going to Santa Cruz – when Vera and Della Borges Dad was not feeling well – we girls stopped the cars and crossed the cows from one side to the other – then their brother Frank would milk the cows – this was the old Annand property by the Dal Porto Ranch)

Bill was rather quiet and very nice and kind of the head of the family. I remember him going to Holy Cross Church for Easter and Christmas.

John the youngest (most of us called him Johnny), was short and was full of pep and a real jokster – but had a good heart. Took his family matters very seriously, though he was always joking around.


Katie had been a school teacher but I do not remember where she taught. When her parents passed she took over caring for her brother Arnold who was blind and the rest of the family. She cooked, washed, etc for all the brothers.

Arnold (I believe) was the oldest and a real sweetheart. He was an inspiration and had a way of not making you feel sorry for him because he was blind.




He was so talented – he did some wood carvings, chopped and stacked firewood and many other things. His job with the dairy was to go to the milking barn and pick up two buckets full of milk (that were always placed in a certain place by the door); then walk l50 feet and up about 20 stairs to the “cheese house” and dump the buckets in a trough that then pasteurized the milk. He kept doing this until the milking was done – quite a job! It seems he never even spilled a drop of milk.




Arnold knew his way by feeling around and always going the same exact way. From the house to the barn there was a white picket fence with a gate always open. No one ever parked in front of the gate because that was his path. One day one of the neighbors accidentally parked at the gate and Arnold walked straight into into the car . (The neighbor felt really bad about this.)



One Sunday my mother (Diana Dinelli) and I walked to the Scaronis. No one was home except Arnold. With Arnold, we started to walk around the front yard – talking and looking at the flowers (this was an unfamiliar part of the yard for Arnold). Arnold felt the fence and plants and then cautiously found the clothesline and walked holding onto the line until it stopped – there was still a little ways to go around the house to where he was familiar so he called me over and said, "Let's see how tall you’ve gotten". He kind of held onto me until we walked to the house again and onto familiar territory. He never asked for help and I did not even notice he was using me as a guidance.



In the summer , Katie would pick me up once or twice a week and I would help clean her house. She would then fix lunch. After lunch we did the the dishes and then we would walk down to the beach (no nudies then). At times Katie would do something special with me tagging along. After putting on her straw hat, we would take a drive to Santa Cruz to get meat out of the meat lockers (where Lenz Art store is now) or drive up to Scotts Valley to visit the Don Santos family or the English family that ran a dairy where Nob Hill is now (at the time it was all pasture and cows – their House was where Walgreens now is located).

The Scaronis were a wonderful family. -As Ivano (The Gran Blaggatore) said, Katie
always counted heads coming and going to her beach. She wanted to make sure everyone was safe. I miss you Katie. I miss all of you. Thanks for giving us such wonderful memories. ****Norma (Dinelli) Wilson
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Wish to comment on this article??? Click on ‘comments’ below -- which will take you to the “Comments” page. Then write your comments in space provided. When done, check off ‘Other’ or ‘Anonymous’ ( NOT 'google/blogger -- and IGNORE ‘Goggle Password Section’). If you check off ‘Other’ write your name in space provided and then click on ‘Publish’. (Note: ‘Other’ must be checked off BEFORE you write your name. ‘Anonymous’ writer: Leave name space blank --just click on Publish.) Ivn0

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIOVANNI PRIMO

TODAY IS MY BROTHER’S BIRTHDAY. GIOVANNI PRIMO COMELLI (JOHN),WAS BORN ON JUNE 4. SOME 73 YEARS AGO IN SANTA CRUZ. THE PHOTOS (Directly Above) ARE PROBABLY HIS FOURTH GRADE PICTURES. THE PHOTO AT THE TOP IS HIS FIRST COMMUNION PICTURE. THE GOOD LOOKING LAD ON HIS LEFT IS YOUR FUTURE 'GRAN BLAGGATORE'. (OF COURSE YOU ALL KNEW THAT I WOULD FIND SOME WAY TO 'WORM' MYSELF INTO AT LEAST ONE OF THESE PHOTOS.) VALENTINA, OUR MOTHER, ALWAYS MADE JOHN WAIT FOR ME TO CATCH UP. THUS, WE BOTH RECEIVED FIRST COMMUNION AT HOLY CROSS CHUCH IN SANTA CRUZ ON THE SAME DAY.

I have told this story several times during my presentations and I also have written about it in “La Nostra Costa” (Pgs. 89-90). In the year that my brother was born (1934), Primo Carnera was the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World. Primo, who stood 6 foot 6 inches tall and weighted approximately 260 pounds, was born in the Friuli Region in Italy. This was the same Region that Bronco, my father, was born. Thus, Primo Carnera was a source of great pride for my father.

In 1934, Primo Carnera was scheduled to defend his Championship against a most formidable challenger, Max Baer. Bronco went out on a limb and vowed that if Primo successfully defended his Title, he would name his first born son, Primo Giovanni. Those of you, who by chance, might have seen the movie “Cinderella Man”, know that Max Baer floored Primo some twelve times and went on to win that fight.

Bronco was extremely disappointed, however; he still felt honor bound (somewhat)to his fellow Friulano. Primo became my brother’s middle name. Later when my brother was able to comprehend what might have been, he thanked Max Baer many times for beating the “Ambling Alp”, as Carnera was known in boxing circles. He did not relish the idea of being called Primo for the rest of his life. On the other hand Carnera’s defeat deprived me 0f a great ‘war cry’ when attacking my brother. ‘CREAM DA PREEM’ was not to be heard ‘su per la costa’....... at least not by me. ivn0