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Loreto Aprutino, a
village of 7700 people, is located in the Pescara region of
Abruzzo. The Adriatic Sea is 15 miles to the east. Il Gran Sasso
d'Italia, the
tallest mountain in Central Italy, is 25 miles to the west.
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Domenico Buccella with
wife Maria Nicola Mariotti and son Guerino shortly before departing
Naples for Genoa and the United States. They arrived in New York Harbor
on
March 2, 1924 aboard the S.S. Colombo.
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Mariantonia
Core of Penne married Ilario Buccella on February 20, 1876. She had
ten children. Domenico was the fifth
oldest following Raffaele, Giuseppe and twin sisters
Maria and Lucia. Marianinna, born three years after Domenico, was
followed by Rosa who died in infancy.
Franco was the youngest surviving brother. Twin brothers
Tommaso and Pantaleone Buccella were born in 1893 but died before
they reached one year of age.
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Giuseppe
(left) and Franco Buccella. This photo was taken in Philadelphia
circa 1913. Giuseppe arrived in March of 1912 followed by his
younger brother in 1913. The four Buccella brothers were all close
but, like Raffaele and Domenico, Giuseppe and Franco had a special
bond that seems to have continued through to their modern-day
descendants.
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Raffaele Buccella (R)
with his family in January 1950. Back: Orazio, his wife Annazopita, Maria, Adina
(wife of Corinto), Corinto,
Serafina (wife of Raffaele). Front: Elisa, Maria Rogers, Silvana, Gabriele, and
unknown dog.
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Il Castello
Chiola in Loreto Aprutino. Childhood memories of this castle of
remote origin (circa 864 A.D. and later rebuilt), would become Guerino Butchello's inspiration for The
Castle Restaurant in Olean, New York. |
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While
the castle anchors one end of the high street in Loreto Aprutino,
the church of San Pietro anchors the other. The wealthiest families
lived on this street throughout the middle ages. The church has
remained in use throughout the years and is kept in immaculate
condition. In fact, the interior has remained exactly the same since
1701. San Pietro is also the final destination of the annual
procession of San Zopito.
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Franco
Buccella, youngest brother of Domenico Buccella with his family in
June 1925. Pictured with wife Concetta DiZio is daughter Levina and
son Ilario. Levina, born in 1921, was named after her first cousin
Levina Buccella who died at the age of 13 months in 1914. The
original Levina was Domenico's daughter and Guerino Buccella's older sister.
Franco and Concetta would have five more children including
Ettore, Emilia, Gina, Assunta and Maria.
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Giuseppe
Buccella with wife Paolina Ranalli (L) and daughter Giuditta (R).
Also pictured are Maria Rogers, Maria Buccella and Orazio Buccella.
Taken during Gus Rogers' trip to Loreto in January 1950.
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(L-R)
Giuditta Buccella, her brother Zopito Buccella and husband Zopito
Schiavone on June 2, 2000. When shown the picture of her in 1950,
Giuditta said "Well, that's me alright but I don't remember
taking it!"
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January
30, 1950. Elisa Buccella and sister Maria Buccella on the steps of
the Buccella homestead with Maria, wife of Gus Rogers and the
infamous unknown dog. Their father was Orazio Buccella, first son of
Raffaele. The families of Raffaele, Domenico and Franco lived in this house from 1910 until
approximately 1957. Domenico departed with his family for America in 1924
and Franco's family moved out in 1932. Guerino Buccella
and most of his cousins were born here. |
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May 30,
2000. The same steps 50 years later. Caterina Donatelli, daughter of
Elisa Buccella with Kristin and Melissa Gauhs. Caterina's
grandfather Orazio and his wife Annazopita had three children all
born in this house including Maria, Gabriele and Elisa. The house is no
longer owned by the family and has fallen
into disrepair. La nonna di Melissa e Kristina ed il nonno di
Caterina erano cugini di primo grado.
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