My father (on left with brother Johnny) was known in the local area as "Nick the shoe maker." He had many friends of all nationalities.

Just opposite our house was the 3rd Precinct Police Station. Dad was well known and liked by the police officers and got substantial shoe repair business from them.  The local tavern was located down the street at the nearest corner. It had two entrances with half-height swinging doors. Dad got quite a lot of business here also.  On special holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, the tavern would hold raffles for turkeys, chickens, baskets of fruit, liquor, etc. Lots of people attended these affairs, and they were good times.

My dad used to buy the tavern's empty liquor barrels. At that time, they were still shipping liquor in wooden barrels. He would use them to make wine. Since he was a good shoemaker and a member in good standing of the community, he had no problem with the prohibition laws.

Dad was remarkable in making hand-made shoes. He made all kinds of shoes, for both men and women, and from start to finish. Uncle Louie only wore shoes hand-made by my dad.

Recently my sister, Rose, told me that she learned from my mother that our father had studied for the priesthood as a young man. But because of his youth, good looks and curly, black hair, he became quite a ladies man. It seems that the woman would not leave him alone. He was known as Nicola, the "Cappoletti Reechee," or the Curly Haired One. Somehow during his period of study he strolled off the righteous path, and to make a long story short, he was excommunicated by the church.

After this, he met my mother, and they were married. They lived in a small village and were introduced through friends. That's how things were done in those days in Italy. Courtship was done through friends. Like "I have a nice girl for you." Or "I have a nice man for you."

In those days if you were courting a woman you could visit her, but not take her out unless someone came along as a chaperon. No physical contact was allowed. If you were invited to the family dinner, you were never permitted to sit next to her or even opposite each other.