This section continues the story of Charlie and Angie Nannariello through their middle and last years. Charlie survived a business failure in the mid 1930’s and survived the Great Depression just as 150 million other Americans struggled through the Great Depression. They lived in a number of houses; bought their first house during World War II; and raised two sons. Charlie lived the American Dream that so many emigrants from so many countries pursued. Charlie and Angie both left the world a little better than they found it. They lived an American heritage and an Italian American heritage of beliefs and traditions that were given birth in Italy and matured in the United States.
Angie Nannariello
The circumstances of how Charlie Nannariello met Angelina Passarella are not known. Angelina, always called Angie, was a wonderful mother and an extraordinary person. She was born December 19, 1908 in Brewster Heights, Putnam County, New York. She was one of six siblings, five sisters and one brother who in total eventually had more than twenty children among them: The six siblings are: Lizzie Passarella Mucci, Mary Passarella Fusco, Lula Passarella Altamura, Rose Passarella Ferrer, Angie Passarella Nannariello, and Frank Passarella. All of Angie’s siblings lived and raised their families in White Plains, New York.
Angie was a beautiful young lady and maintained a certain elegance through her later years. She had a well-defined classical Italian nose that fit her face just perfectly. This nose was the Passarella nose and a gift shared by some of her siblings and the next generation. Her well set brown eyes, were always behind thick glasses because of her lifetime eyesight issues. She had cataract surgery in the days when it was a bloody and risky procedure, and the patient laid in a bed for a week with sandbags on either side of the head. Today it is a ten-minute bloodless procedure with almost guaranteed favorable results.
People liked Angie and Angie liked people. People liked Angie and she liked people. Nothing was more relaxed and pleasant than sitting with Angie in her kitchen, or your kitchen if you chose, over a cup of black coffee and a cigarette and a piece of cake and talking. Angie had a lovely voice and an engaging laugh. Charlie had a very thick and guttural Italian accent. Angie and Charlie seldom spoke Italian to each other, but often spoke Italian when family and Calitrani paisani came to the house for visits. Unfortunately, their two sons, Richard and Louis, never learned Italian at home. There is a cultural issue and phenomenon that among all of the of the Passarella first cousins, none spoke Italian, though some of the older ones probably understood it in their early years. However, the children raised by Filomena required understanding Italian because her English language skills were limited. All of her children understood Italian, but as mentioned did not pass that ability on to their children.
See Personal Perspectives Angie Nannariello’s Pearls (Lynn Nannariello and Richard Nannariello)
Charlie and Angie Nannariello Marriage
Charlie Nannariello and Angelina Passarella were married in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, White Plains, New York on September 4, 1927. Canio was 26 years old and Angelina was 19. Their first son, Louis Nannariello and named after his paternal grandfather Luigi Nannariello was born June 19, 1928. Richard was born March 20, 1933. Baptism, Communion and Confirmation and Sunday School, for Louis and Richard and for most of their first cousins were administered at Mt. Carmel Church which ministered to many of the Italian American population of White Plains.
When Charlie died in 1988, they had been married a year beyond their Fiftieth Anniversary. Their Golden Anniversary was celebrated with a surprise birthday party at the VFW hall in Valhalla, New York. It was probably the last time that significant parts of the Nannariello and Passarella families had an opportunity to be together.
Mt. Carmel Church
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, its entire proper name, began its construction in 1902, and emulated the Classical Revival architecture style. The design was by R. H. Almiroty of New York City. The building was inhabited and used before being completed 1933. The design was intended to appeal to the Italian congregation and so the facade was modeled after the La Chiesa di Vivaldi in Venice and the bell tower was modeled after the La Chiesa del Comasco.
Its golden dome would capture the sunlight and could be seen for miles away from most parts of White Plains that were not blocked by the White Plains hills, such as Battle Hill. There were no high buildings in White Plains at that time. In the 1930’s and 1940’s the church was surrounded by one family frame homes, tenements. and local stores and businesses. The church lived in the midst of the souls to whom it ministered. Its tall gold sheathed steeple is now less visible today; as it now competes with nearby apartment homes, skyscrapers, the courthouse, and the police department. Some of these buildings surpass the steeple in height, but certainly not in beauty.
Many of the Passarella and Nannariello and related families went to Mt. Carmel for the Catholic sacraments of baptism, communion and confirmation. There were many who were married there. The reception hall for the weddings was the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) gym that was modestly renovated from gym to reception hall from weekdays to Sundays. Fulton Oursler, the author of “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” wrote in 1952 that he “always looked forward to passing through White Plains on the train for the pleasure of seeing the inspiring gold-crowned campanile of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, the bell tower of the Stigmatine Fathers’ parish.” Many of those who lived in White Plains, remember the bell tower announcing the times for each of the Sunday masses.
At Mt. Carmel, as in the schools, there were many Italian. Not known to most of the first-generation Americans of Calitrani parents, many of these were Calitrani names. It would be inappropriate to list those names here because it would be a long list and incomplete, but there were many Calitrani names. We just did not know it. However, in the repository of information in the three Mario Toglia books are literally hundreds of Calitrani names that were transported to many cities, including White Plains. One can imagine that the Mt. Carmel archives have records of the Calitrani presence in White Plains.
The first reading of the Declaration of Independence in New York State was in White Plains. The location was the White Plains Armory which has resided for many years on Broadway and overlooking Westchester Avenue. There is an obvious link between that historic event of that Declaration and the presence of Calitrani in White Plains that started with great vigor in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The call of that Declaration was answered by Calitrani more than a hundred years later. The Declaration called for and provided opportunities. The Calitrani came!
Prohibition (1919-1933)
After years of an active temperance movement in the United States prohibited the manufacture and distribution and consumption of alcohol. The Eighteenth Amendment was ratified in October 1919 and Congressional legislation made Prohibition a reality in 1920. The Twenty First Amendment repealed the Eighteenth Amendment and in 1933 and Prohibition was over at the national level. At the end of Prohibition, Charlie opened a bar and restaurant called the Westchester Tavern in White Plains at 10 Westchester Avenue. It was across the street, at that time, from the Boston Westchester Railroad Station, which is now the home of the Westchester Mall. That Westchester Tavern location has been occupied by some version of a restaurant or bar or both for all these years. The name of each version of the business at that location contained the name Westchester.” Currently it is Westchester Burger.
Tavern, Westchester Avenue White Plains, New York. Circa 1936.
The photo shows Charlie at about 35 years old, the proud owner of the Westchester Tavern in White Plains, New York. The Great Depression and other circumstances caused him to lose the business. For the rest of his life, he worked as a short order cook in many diners around Westchester County. He spent many years during the Great Depression and until after the Second World War working in the Scarsdale Diner in Scarsdale, New York. He started working at the diner around 1935. He would drive from his home to and from work to the Scarsdale Diner on the Bronx River Parkway. This Parkway has been identified as the first of its type in the United States. He would take the train from the train station on Main Street in White Plains on cold snow drenched days when driving was not possible.
In the Scarsdale Diner he worked very long hours and six days a week. There was a time at the Scarsdale Diner, for many years, that he worked a split shift that required starting early in the morning, working until after lunch, getting a few hours off, and then returning to work through the dinner hour. It was the Depression and to survive you did what you had to do hold a job. Too many people had no jobs at all. Over the years he worked in diners in White Plains, Hartsdale, Eastchester, Mamaroneck, North White Plains, Thornwood, and possibly a few other forgotten diners. He was never without a job and hardly ever missed a day of work.
Charlie Nannariello The Father
Charlie taught his two sons, Louis and Richard, many things about life related to how to live, basic values and pride in your heritage. However, it would be a challenge to recall conversations about those matters. He was not very articulate about those topics and most of his teaching was by example and the way he lived his life. He was a simple man and lived a simple life. His way of life and thinking and living had its roots in the traditional Catholicism that would be found in towns like Calitri. He had a pleasant voice that was more than slightly guttural and very accented.
Hobbies, vacations, reading, traveling, partying, movies, and advanced education, were not part of his life style and ambitions. The simplicity of his life and the way he lived were lessons only for those wishing for that simplicity. Being there for his family, taking care of his home, and very traditional values were his operative activities. He became a naturalized citizen in November 9, 1927. He was very proud to be American. He was not very understanding why anyone could not or would not do what was necessary to survive and provide for their family in this country of opportunity. He believed if one job was not enough, then you worked two jobs. It is possible this man never missed a day of work for many of his working years. And by that example, one of his sons never missed a day of school in three years of high school, and never knew why until reflecting on the fact years later. Charlie taught by example and his deeds.
He literally drank red wine every night at dinner. The same reusable green bottle was refilled each day from a choice among store bought gallons of burgundy and home-made wine that lay in a cool dark wine cellar in the basement. Every day there was a wine ritual. He was never known to drink too much or to be impacted by his drinking. It wasn’t until he was in his early eighties and dealing with some medical issues, that a well- meaning doctor recommended that he stop drinking wine. At that time in his life, he was dealing with early dementia, which was eventually diagnosed as Alzheimer’s. At the time and even now, one can wonder if an occasional glass of wine would have added value to those last years. The man, who faithfully avoided doctors for much of his life, was obedient in not drinking wine.
Charlie never returned to Calitri and never traveled very often or very far from White Plains, during his eighty-seven years. Only two vacations can be recalled when he went to Florida once and another trip to Canada. He was truly a homebody. His son Richard, had an opportunity to visit Calitri in 1978. He returned with some excitement about the experience and being able to share that experience with his father about his first-hand views and experiences in Calitri. Over a Sunday dinner, Charlie reacted to Richard’s recent recollections of Calitri with his distant recollections and memories. Prompted by the discussion, Charlie mentioned buildings and streets and his birth home. Any differences between his recollections and the recent trip were overlooked. There were some fading recollections of five decades since his parting in 1921. There was a time for several months after this trip in which there were some serious discussions about Charlie making a trip to Calitri with his son. However, his age and some trepidation on his part resulted in the trip not happening, and evolving medical issues later made it impossible.
Charlie Nannariello World War II Calitri Efforts
Immediately after the Second World War, in 1945, Charlie spoke very sympathetically of friends and relatives in Calitri suffering and recovering from the destruction of the war. The war had ravished much of Europe and Italy was no exception. Benito Mussolini began his political conquest of Italy in the 1920’s and leveraged his rhetoric and organizing skills and political ambitions to become the dictator of Italy. He achieved his dictatorship long before Adolf Hitler accomplished the same status in Germany. Mussolini dragged Italy into the Second World War and allied with Germany and Hitler. Most Italians who had immigrated from Italy, were not sympathetic with what Mussolini had done. Many parts of Italy were ravished.
At the end of the World War II and for many years, Charlie always had in the cellar of his home a series of large wooden boxes that he had a carpenter make. He would accumulate clothes, blankets, nonperishable food, and whatever he knew or imagined was needed. When a box was filled, he would ship it to Calitri, and then have a carpenter make another box and repeat the process over and over for years. It is not known who he specifically shipped the boxes to, but it was obviously Calitrani paisani. Charlie intuitively understood his obligation and his bond to Calitri. Calitrani help other Calitrani! Whether in the United States or in Italy.
Charlie and Angie Nannariello Grandchildren
Charlie and Angie were blessed with six grandchildren, all in a span of about seven years or so. Louis and Nancy Guardino Nannariello had three children: Lynn (1953), Stephen (1956), and Gary (1960). Richard and Antoinette Mercatante Nannariello, had three children: Richard (1956), Robert (1957-1992) and John (1962). In the last two houses Charlie owned, he had a bar built in the basement. The basement had tables and chairs and was generously stocked with liquors and wines. When his grandchildren were older, he would delight in serving them wine or anisette and play the part of the bartender. And one can imagine, that he had silent and pleasant memories of the old Westchester Tavern that he owned and operated in the early 1930’s. Playing bartender to his sons and grandchildren triggered pleasant memories and he always had a special smile on his face.
Five great grandchildren were born to Charlie and Angie. From Steve and Barbara Nannariello, son of Louis and Nancy Nannariello, the first was James (Jimmy) Nannariello (1985) and his sister Stephanie (1992). Jimmy is the only great grandchild that both Charlie and Angie knew. The following great grandchildren were born after they passed. From Gary and Ginnie Nannariello is Kayla (1998). From John Nannariello is Jake (1999) and Juliet (2002).
As of this writing, there are three great great-grandchildren from Jimmy and Krissy Nannariello: Olivia Nannariello (2015) and twins (2018) Gabriel and Christian Nannariello.
Charlie Nannariello Last Job
The last job Charlie had was when he was in his late seventies. He worked at Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, near White Plains and near the Westchester County Airport. . His nephew Louis Nannariello, son of Charlie’s brother Larry, was the manager of the club. He worked there for several summers and operated the outside summer food concession in the pool and recreational area. Louis affectionately called Charlie “Zi’Caniuccio” or Uncle Canio. There was a ritual of Charlie recruiting teenage family members each summer to work with him. Two of his grandsons, Richard and Robert and several grandnephews worked with him. It was a unique experience for grandsons to work with their grandfather with about sixty years in age separating them. Charlie would pick them up in the morning and deliver them back home at night. Charlie would complete the day tired but extremely invigorated because he truly enjoyed what he was doing. He was retired and working and still useful and participating.
Charlie had a specialty that was not on the Tamarack menu that included Italian sausage, onions and peppers. For all the summers he worked at Tamarack, he would travel to Portchester to an Italian market he considered having the very best Italian sausage. He would buy sausage and fresh peppers and get to Tamarack early so the he could cook them prior the food service area getting busy. There came a point that the Club members demanded that the sausage dish and it was put on the menu.
There came a summer when Charlie Nannariello realized he could not do it anymore. The heart and mind were willing, but the body could not perform. He was forced into his final retirement in his late seventies. He earned it!
Charlie Nannariello Alzheimer’s
Charlie, in his very early eighties, was challenged with dementia that was finally diagnosed as Alzheimer’s. His sons, Louis and Richard, took him to a doctor and some very basic testing produced the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Charlie, demonstrated his challenges in dealing with and transitioning to Alzheimer’s in many ways. Charlie and Angie would take short trips by car to the local bank or local shopping; and driving home he was not able to find his way back home without her assistance. His driving was unsteady and he had a few minor accidents that he could not explain. His sons told him the car needed repairs and the car was sold and never returned. He was told the car was being repaired and after a few months he forgot about the car. It is not pleasant to take someone’s wheels and independence away. but it was the least onerous thing to do for the safety for him and Angie.
There are gentle and humane and respectful ways to accept the reality of Alzheimer’s and to accommodate the person being challenged. When the challenges are indeed very demanding, it is necessary for the people around the person to understand and reflect that the person with Alzheimer’s that is not responsible for their actions. Charlie got to the state of not knowing who anyone was, including his wife and sons. Because of Charlie’s deteriorating condition, Angie and her sons, decided to sell their house and purchase a new and very pleasant condo several blocks away. It was easier to maintain and more in line with their needs and capabilities.
Though it was explained to Charlie many times that the house was sold and they were moving, he did not accept the fact. The day the moving truck moved the furniture, Charlie walked through the empty rooms and repeated that he was not leaving. Finally, he generously agreed to take a ride to see this new home, but he had no intention to stay. After a week or so at the new condo, he appeared to accept the situation. My mother made a challenging and loving effort to take care of him for a few of his remaining and challenging year.
He had been in his new condo home a few years and ultimately was institutionalized. The time came that Angie literally could not care for him because of his deteriorating mental condition, the dwindling health conditions, and the relentless march of Alzheimer’s. Charlie Nannariello died September 11, 1988 at the Ruth Taylor Institute in Westchester Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant New York.
He completed his life of simple needs and good deeds, love of family and home and friends, hard work, and love of country. He was, as many millions of other emigrants, one of the building blocks and foundations of America. America gave him so much and he appreciated all he received. We believe he gave back in kind and left his adopted country better than he found it and joined the many emigrants by the millions who did the same.
He was buried in a mausoleum at the Gate of Heaven cemetery in Valhalla, New York. He waited for Angie to join him. He was a good man!
Angie Nannariello Final Years
Angie lived another eight years after Charlie passed. Just a few years prior to Charlie’s passing, they moved to a condo on Greenridge Avenue in White Plains. In her new condo kitchen, she had a dishwasher and thoroughly washed every dish prior to putting it in the dishwasher. You can’t break good habits. Her home was still a good place to have a cup of coffee and a piece of cake, but no cigarettes because she quit. That is, except for an occasional cigarette on very special occasions that included good talk and a cup of coffee.
Though she had some medical issues, she was able to live alone and take care of herself, and enjoy visits from family and friends. She was deeply loved and visited by many of her nieces and nephews. There was a ritual of weekly shopping with her niece Marie Ronda and Angie’s sister Mary Fusco. They would shop and then “shoot the dirt” at Mary’s home. Angie also had her sister Rose and the three surviving sisters were all widowed. Lizzie Mucci and Lula Altamura had died years before. Her beloved brother Gobby Passarella had died years earlier at a much too young age.
In 1995 Angie had a diagnosis of issues related to her lungs and treatments were provided. However, after some apparent progress she did not do well and there were medical challenges. Her son Richard and Jean Nannariello spent the last few weeks or so with Angie in her home on Greenridge Avenue in White Plains. She had hospice care in her home.
In January 29, 1996, God love her, Angie passed. She would join Charlie at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, NY, They had selected a mausoleum twenty or more years before. Their resting place overlooks a wonderful view of low verdant hills, an arched bridge to the west, manicured lawns, and sidewalks tracing the perimeter of the mausoleum. And the sidewalks are always properly swept with Charlie’s approval, just as he swept the sidewalks in front of his house. A few short steps away from their resting place is an intimate vaulted chapel with stained glass windows from floor to ceiling displaying fractured colors across the walls and floor. It is a wonderful place to sit peacefully and quietly with the sun creating slithers of colored light in abstract patterns on the walls. A wonderful place to sit and remember Angie and Charlie Nannariello.
God knows they did the best they could and left the world a better place. From the hills of Calitri Italy and the fields of rural Brewster Heights in Putnam County they traveled, but not very far from White Plains. So many of us have benefited from their lives and their example. They cherished the ancestry they were given and the passed on that ancestry to so many of us. God shall love them well. May they rest in peace.