Now and Then -A Family Newsletter

April 2014

 

 

Then…

A Twist in a Branch of the Family Tree

Michele Danisi was born in Palo del Colle, Bari in 1855, and was the oldest of his siblings. In Italy, in the 1800’s, it was customary for a widower to marry his deceased wife’s sister. Well, that is exactly what Michele Danisi did! Michele was the oldest of his siblings, very intelligent, and the first among them to learn to read and write. His younger brother, Francesco had been married to Domenica Sangirardi who had three sisters. Michele married Maria, one of Domenica’s sisters. So, his sister-in-law was now his “wife”. As was common in those times, Maria died in childbirth at the age of 25. Their only child, Tomaso, survived. Having no mother for his son, Michele married Domenica and Maria’s other sister, Pasqua. They had five children, of whom Vito was the oldest. Apparently, Tomaso and Vito did not get along as they each vied to be “head if the family”. Now, Tomaso’s aunt was his “step mother”, and his half brothers and sisters were his “cousins”. The children of these marriages eventually settled in New York, but Michele and Pasqua remained in their town of Palo del Cole, in Bari. In Michele’s younger years, he had served in the Italian military in WWI. Being an avid believer in the military, he felt his American-born grandchildren should serve in WWII. In his elder years, he made the trip across the Atlantic to visit his children in America. As is the tradition in Italy, after one has been deceased for 20 years, the bones are removed from the vault and put into a box/ossuary kept in a special part of the cemetery. Michele died in 1951 in Italy. Since his wives died so many years before he did, he is buried apart from his wives. (Michele was the son of Vito Danisi and Eugenia Grumo.)

 

Now…

It’s in Her Genes!

Meet Hannah Rigoglioso! She is a beautiful blossoming young girl who just turned 13.

She was born in the Bronx, New York and recently moved to New Fairfield, CT with her parents and younger twin brothers. As a top student at Public School 71, in Pelham Bay, Bronx, she has brought her talents and interests to her new community and middle school in CT. She is still a top student and an avid reader. As a lover of animals, she has volunteered at an animal shelter where she plays with and cares for the animals. It was even her own idea to run a “cupcake decorating fundraiser” to make money for the shelter. Sadly, her beloved dog Kelvin has passed away, but she now is mistress to her big black dog, Belle, a rescue dog. She also, is mistress to her pet albino bunny, Scott. Like her grandmother before her, she has a beautiful voice and has been a member of her church choir for five years. Like both grandmothers before her, she is a talented creative writer. She also loves sports, especially soccer. She has been on two leagues simultaneously. Having been around the kitchen a lot with her mother and father, who are excellent cooks, Hannah has developed a love for baking. Whenever there is a family gathering, Hannah is sure to come up with a new cake or pastry. Aside from being a loving and caring big sister for her little brothers, she shows love, thoughtfulness, compassion, generosity, and kindness toward her family, her friends and her community. One cannot help but love her for her maturity, poise, sweetness, and her demure demeanor. Happy Birthday Hannah!

Hannah is the daughter of Mark and Judy Rigoglioso, granddaughter of Marie Crimi Rigoglioso, great granddaughter of Charles Crimi and Elena Danisi, great great granddaughter of Francesco Danisi and Domenica Sangirardi and of Filadelfio Crimi and Maria DiGiorgio.

 

Submitted by Liz Crimi Olsson

CORRESPONDENCE AND SUBMISSIONS TO:

Liz Crimi Olsson

80G Independence Court

Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Phone: 914-245-4904

Email: elizabeth@danisi.org