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| 1929 |
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My Beautiful Father, Giovanni Parrinello was born in Geraci, Siculo, one of six children, the third child, born on January 10, 1929 to Giacomo and Maria. He had three sisters, Giuseppina (Pippina), Maria & Francesca (Cicha) and two brothers Giacomo, the eldest and Santi, the youngest. My Father loved his family, always did and always missed them. In the photo below are my Dad when he was about 8 or 9, (about Jake's age), Uncle Giacomo, Nonna, Nonno & Aunt Francesca. We had been looking for this photo for years...my Dad was crushed because he thought he had lost it. I found it on May 15th, the day of his one year anniversary Mass and the Closing of my Parent's home, which I believe to be a sign from him that this is the way it was supposed to happen. I believe he's happy. GOD, I hope so!
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| April 22, 1932 |
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My beautiful Mother, Nunziata, was born on April 22, 1932 in Geraci Siculo, providence of Palermo, Italy. She was the eldest of 7 children, my Mother, Nancy, Antonia, Filippo, Maria, Josephine, Carmela & Charlie. This is the only picture I have of her as a child with Aunt Toni.
She met my Father, Giovanni when she was a child, they grew up together in their small town in Sicily. They later got married and came to the United States. My Mother was so beautiful, on the inside and on the outside. She passed in June of 2002, five weeks after my daughter, Julia was born. My heart was shattered. |
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| 30s through the 50s |
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 My Parents grew up together in the same small town in Geraci Siculo, in Italy, providence of Palermo. Even when they were children, they knew each other and played together. Who knew that they would remain together for over 70 years. They were married for 46 years and grew up together for at least 20 years before marrying. Amazing! |
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| 1954 |
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My Parents were married on October 31, 1954, which coincidently, Halloween is my Favorite Holiday. Go figure.....
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| 1963 |
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My Dad and my Mom came to the United States in 1963. My Mother waited 10 years, along with my Dad, Aunt Toni, Uncle Frank and their son, Luciano, my cousin, to come to the United States to join my Mother's family. My Father and my Uncle Frank left their families behind to make their wives happy. My Father always told me it was the best thing he ever did. He said he missed his family but he never would have been able to achieve there what he achieved here in the Uniti Stati di America; as he put it. |
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| 1963 |
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Daddy starting working construction and odd jobs when they first arrived from Italy. They moved into Grandma's basement. My Father has always told me he worked three jobs for many years when they first arrived here. My Mother worked in two factories as a seamstress and an clothing inspector. |
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| 1967 |
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I was born, their only child in December of 1967, after 13 years of marriage. My parents were so full of love, they should have had 5 children, but I was the one and only. The one thing I have always been sure of is that I was loved, my GOD, how I was loved by two of the most beautiful parents in the world. It didn't stop me from wishing for a brother or sister, but I thank GOD for my cousins and for having such a large extended family. It made up for it. |
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| 1968 |
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| July 2, 1972 |
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In July of 72 my Father became a American Citizen. He was thrilled. He couldn't wait to become an American Citizen and yet, my Mother never did, she remained an illegal alien, as they call it. |
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| July 2, 1980 |
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My Father got into the Passaic Board of Education. He received his Fireman's License.
He was thrilled. He was the happiest man alive. Finally, a good job with benefits for his family. He worked for many years at the Passaic Stadium and Passaic High School, but Memorial School, Number 11 was his favorite. He made many, many friends that he still talked to many years after retiring. He loved going to work everyday.
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| 1980 |
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In 1980, my Father and Mother bought a new 2 family house on Mt. Washington Drive in Clifton. We were supposed to move there, but my Mother couldn't part with Kruger Place. So we stayed there till 1985 and Mt. Washington was rented out until we could convince her to move. In the meantime, Uncle Charlie who lived down the street on Mt. Washington Drive decided to move.....so there was no way my Mother was now going to move there....... |
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| 1984 |
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In 1984, my parents bought a new one family home on Hadrys Court. I then transfered to Clifton High School for my Senior year and my Mother finally moved from Kruger Place kicking and screaming all the way. But......realized once she was there that she loved the new house. We have so many wonderful memories from Hadrys Court.
It has become so painful to have to empty the home and to have to sell it, but I know that I must for my own emotional benefit. I have such wonderful and beautiful memories of our home, so much love, laughter and of course some sorrow. But, I believe in destiny and everything happened the way it was supposed to. It is where I grew up for the most part. It is the house that I will always call HOME.
 
 
My Mother made her famous "S" cookies in this basement kitchen and her homemade pasta, her delicious pizza and so many other delicious food that only she could make. I miss her cooking so much. Mostly, I miss her beautiful smile, that crooked smirk and her "undying love" for me. I miss that most of all.
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| 1985 |
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I graduated from highschool in 1985. My parents wanted to send me to college....I had the grades to go to a good school, and they were willing to pay anything, but I wanted no part of it. My Father insisted I do something.....so off I went to Computer School. Actually, my Father was the one who got me my first job at Mitsui Food, Inc., from a contact that he had at Number 11 Memorial School. A teacher there was married to a Manager at Mitsui who was looking for a Telex Operator....it was a long time ago......Telexs aren't even in existence anymore.....it was an old version of email, but with an antiquated machine I called the green dinosaur. Anyway, he got me started. |
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| 1995 |
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I got married to Jimmy on May 20, 1995.
I remember our Father-Daughter dance like it was yesterday...I loved dancing with my Father....he was such a good dancer. No matter where we were, a party, a wedding, a dinner dance....whatever.....everyone always wanted to dance with him. He also directed the Tarantella.
 
The house across the street from my parents went up for sale. We decided to buy the house after much thought. It was the best decision I ever made. My parents were thrilled to have me so close and I finally realized how close I wanted to be to them.
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| 1998 |
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My beautiful son, Jake John was born on October, 10th of 1998.
My parents were so happy. My Father was especially thrilled because I named him after my Grandfather, my Father's Dad, Giacomo and after my Father; Giacomo Giovanni. My parents took care of Jake while my Husband and I worked and it meant the world to us knowing that he was well taken care of by my own parents. |
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| 1999 |
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My Father retired in 1999 after putting in 20 years in the Passaic Board of Education. He missed it so much and was loved by all the Administrators and teachers and students. They all came to his wake and they all told me how much they loved him. It meant alot to me to know how much he was admired.
 
 
 
 
I'll never forget the day he came to me and asked me to write him a letter of resignation. He started to cry and I told him not to worry cause now he would have more time to spend with us and with his new Grandson. It was so bittersweet for him. He made sure that I wrote a very nice resignation letter. I still have it on my computer. He was such a good man, the best Father in the world, a wonderful Husband and a Sweet, Sweet & loving Grandfather. I believe the friendship he shared with everyone was his most prized possession. He was loved by all. I miss him so much.
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| 2002 |
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In late March 2002, my Mother was diagnosed with terminal gallbladder cancer which had spread to her liver and kidneys. She went in for surgery in early April for stones in the gallbladder. It was never stones, it was cancer all along. The doctors screwed up and while, I was 8 months pregnant with my daughter, Julia, my Father and I were told this devastating news. My Father was crushed. We took her to the best specialst in the bronx, but there was nothing we could do. She never even had a chance for treatment.
 
My Daughter, Julia was born on April 26th 2002, and my Mother passed away on June 14th, 2002, just 6 short weeks later. My Mother died broken hearted because she couldn't get to know my daughter. I was devastated to lose my Beautiful Mother, who was also one of a kind. I loved her so much, but I took solace in knowing that I still had my Dad. But, unfortunately, my Father was never the same. He missed my Mother so much. He was heart broken as well. He went on day after day and did everything he normally did, but he wasn't the same. He was so self-sufficient. He did his own cooking, his own cleaning, his own laundry, everything. He was the best at everything. He even made great sauce, cardone, pasta, chicken. He always made his own wine. He was one of a kind, as was my Mother.
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| January 20, 2006 - Daddy's Last Birthday |
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I had a party for my Dad at my home, as I always have on his birthday since I've had my own home. Aunt Marie, Aunt Jo, Aunt Sarina, Uncle Charlie, Patricia, Linda, Aunt Toni and my family were all there. He was so happy, as you can see in the pictures below...
 
 
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| May 12, 2006 |
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My beloved Father passed away on May 12, 2006 at the age of 77. Finding him was the worst day of my life. I thought watching my Mother take her last breath was excruiating, but to find him was even worse. My heart is forever with my Parents. My heart has been shattered. I ache for both of them but I will live for my Husband and my children and make my parents proud of me. And, someday, I will meet them again in Heaven. My sweet kisses to you always Mommy and Daddy! I can't wait to dance with both of you again, my beautiful, beautiful parents!!!!!!! I love you so!
I send you kisses....I hope you can feel them..... |
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My parents bought their first house on Kruger Place within 5 years of being in the United States. It was a beautiful 2 family Red Brick House on a corner lot, with two big backyards. One was for the garden, of course and the other was for hanging out, with an arbor of grapes for shade and eating, of course. 
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