The Squitti / Carollo /
Veltri AND Rosso / Bertucci branches.
HOMETOWNS OF GRIMALDI, MALITO
ITALY, AND SIMBARIO, ITALY and PORT ARTHUR, ONTARIO
CANADA, NOW THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO CANADA
Including the Veltri / Carollo / Rosso / Bertucci Branches
We all go back to Adam and
Eve or two monekys; take your pick.
- Family Book -
from
Calabria, Italy
(We are all children of one God, brothers and sisters. . . Mamma
Squitti)
Arthur (Art) Natale ( Carollo
(m) ) Squitti Marianne ( Bertucci (m) Rosso and
Arthur Natale( Carollo ) Squitti
and Marianne ( Bertucci ) Rosso
& son Caesar J. B. Squitti 1957
( Marianne
Rosso was the daughter of Francesco Rosso and Concetta Bertucci of Simbario
Arthur Natale Squitti was the son of Joseph Squitti, son
of Don Cesare Squitti of Malito, and Maria Teresa Carollo from
Grimaldi. )
Natale Arthur (Art) Squitti was born December 23, 1915 at 217 Secord Street, in Port Arthur, Ontario Canada. then "Little Italy" or the "South Side" of Port Arthur Ontario Canada,(now Thunder Bay as the twin cities of Port Arthur and Fort William became one ). He was called Natale, meaning Christmas in Italian, because he was born on December 23, 1915.
Arthur born in Canada never saw Italy, and at the age of 4 lost his mother, Maria Teresa Carollo on June 24, 1919 who died during child birth. The son Mario Terrance Anthony Carlo joined her a few months later, and was buried by the tree near the gravestone for Maria Teresa Carollo.
One month later, Marianne Rosso was born in Simbario, Catanzaro in the province of Calabria in southern Italy July 24, 1919, the daughter of Concetta Bertucci and Francesco Rosso. At the age of 34, Marianne left Italy, his mother and sister to take care of her sister Angelina who was sick in the hospital in Port Arthur, now Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada. Here Marianne Rosso met ARthur Squitti while working at Vi's Tavern on Bay Street.
Art Squitti was the son of Joseph Squitti from Malito (pictured below) , and Maria Teresa Carollo from Grimaldi. Jospeh Squitti had one sister who married into the Rose family of Grimaldi, Italy.
Art was
born in Canada and never saw Italy. It was in the year 2004 that
we came in contact with Dr. R. Squitti and discovered some of the history
of the Squitti family in Italy, bringing more meaning to the pictures
we had..
Arthur
Natale Squitti was the grandson of Barone Don Caesar and Rose Squitti
of Malito Italy.
.
Don Caesar Squitti (C)
related ? to Barone Tommaso Squitti (T) &
Leopaldo Squitti (L)
(the man in the
center father to Joseph)
circa 1910
Up until
the late 1800's the Squitti's were Barons in Calabria Italy.
LAKEHEAD UNIERSITY Paleo+dna lab
Ancestry testing Service - June 13, 2016
ORIGINS OF SQUITTI MALE DNA
ENGLAND
BELGIUM
IRELAND
SCOTLAND
UNITED KINGDOM
ITALY
Wales
(83%), Ireland (78%), Scotland (73%), Spain (68%), England (67%), France (62%),
Belgium (58%), Portugal (58%)
Netherlands (54%), Italy (48%), Switzerland (48%), Denamark (44%), Germany
(43%), Iceland (42%), Norway ( 28%)
Interiesting that the LU report also states this.
"All patneral DNA can be traced back to one man, Adam, (haplogroup
A), born in East Africa about 60,000 to 100,000 ago. "
Don Cesare (Caesar) Squitti center
and his wife Rosa Veltri (added 2011),
and son Giuseppe (Joseph) Squitti and daughter Rose(?) of
Malito Italy.
(Records from Ellis Island (Sguitti) suggest that
when Joseph came to Canada via Brazil, he had a brother-in-law,
Albo Garibaldi, in Spokane, Washington
- The Ellis Island documentation - family contact us
)
Joseph Squitti and
wife Maria Teresa Carrollo
circa 1905
Joseph son of Don Cesare Squitti and Maria Veltri,
from Grimaldi
Maria Teresa Carollo was the daughter of Peitro Carollo,
and Maria Veltri from Grimaldi.
Maria Teresa Carollo's Mother or mother
in law ?
In the year 2013, we were able to identify the name
of this person. She was the mother of Maria Teresa Carollo.
Her name, Maria Veltri.
SOME FAMILY HISTORY FROM MALITO ARCHIVES
1811 - Malito- April 11, 1811, Marriage of Giuseppe Squitti,( son of Francesco Squitti and Lucrezia Perogini) married Isabella Funari, (daughter of Rafele Funari and Teresia Belmonte .)
Birth of twins - Francesco and Constanza Squitti - parents Giuseppe Squitti e Isabella Funari - July 20, 1812
Birth of Lucrezia Letitia - parents Giuseppe Squitti e Isabella Funari - October 20, 1816
Birth of Rafele Rosario Squitti - parents Giuseppe Squitti e Isabella Funari - 7 October, 1819
Birth of Carlo Cesare Mario Squitti - parents Giuseppe Squitti e Isabella Funari - 9 Novembre 1821
1816 - Malito, - October 6, 1816, Marriage of Carlo Nicotera, son of Giovanni Nicotera and Isabella de Ordi, and Maria Guiseppe Funari, daughter of Saverio Funari and Costanza Squitti
Barone
Tommaso Squitti (T)
it is noted was entitled with the title of Baron, (Barone)
July 13, 1886
(believed to be a brother or uncle to Don Cesare Squitti
of Malito)
He had 3 children T1- Eleanora, T2- Nicola,
T3-Baldassare
(Source Dr. R. Squitti, University of Rome)
Baldassarre Squitti, (1896-1930), (Son of
Barone Tommaso Squitti) member of the Italian Parliament and Professor
in Law at the University "La Sapienza" of Rome, and his sister Eleonora,
pictured below, it is said were close friends to Queen Margherita of
Italy.
Isabella & brother Baldassarre Squitti
(picture from Dr. Rosanna Squitti of Rome)
Baldassarre Squitti, was a member of the Italian
parliament, a writer and professor of law at the University of
Naples and the University of Rome.
A couple of pages from his translation of Roman Civil Law,
by the German author Eduardo Bocking is pictured below.
The Squitti's family, or at least part of them, moved
to Palermiti e Guarna and then to Maida, always in Calabria and in early
1930 to Rome.
Senator Nicola
Squitti
Baron of Palermite e Guarna
SQUITTI FAMILY COAT OF ARMS - Houses of the South
of Italy
(with thanks to Historian and writer Roy Piovesana )
Investita
con R. R. 13 luglio 1886 del titolo di barone di Palermiti e Gurna
(mpr) in persona di TOMMASO Squitti, nato 8 settembre 1831.
La famiglia e iscritta nell'El UFF. Nob. Ital. col titolo
di barone di Palermiti e Guarna (mpr) ed e rappresentata da Nicola, di
Tommaso di Nicola.
Siblings
/ Fratelli: BALDASSARRE Squitti, Maria Squitti
Two
children Eleonora Squitti and Maria Adelaide Squitti
N1.
Conte Federico, Conte della Bevilacqua e di Minerbe con San Zenone,
Santo Stefano e Gazzolo, Signore di Brentino e di Mancalacqua, Nobile
di Verona, Nobile di Trento (*Verona 20-X-1887, +19…)
= 29-X-1921 Maria Adelaide Squitti, figlia di Nicola Squitti,
Barone di Palermiti e Guarna (+17-VII-1943)
O1. Eleonora (*Verona 5-IX-1922)
O2. Felicita (*Bevilacqua 30-VI-1926)= 29-IX-1954 Giuseppe
Bresa
Leopaldo Squitti (L)
BROTHER TO TOMMASO
Married Vincenzina Bruni
(Musical Conductor - went to America and later back
to Maida Italy at the turn of the 20th century)
Had four children
L1- Cesare, L2-Teresa, L3- Letizia, L4- Nicola
MARIO SQUITTI
third from the left with "amaranto"
cap.
Alessandro
Squitti and Leonella Squitti
(Movie production)
in California, United States.
Barone Cesare Squitti (C)
Malito, Italy
Wife was Rosa Veltri
They had two children,
Giuseppe (Joseph) (CANADA)
and
Rose (GRIMALDI, ITALY)
Giuseppe (Joseph) Squitti
(father of Arthur Squitti
)
Giuseppe Squitti - Port Arthur - circa 1920
Joseph Squitti,
Arthur's father, traveled the World looking for a place to settle back
in the early 1900's.
He traveled to San Paulo (Sao Paulo) Brazil, and then by
ship to Ellis Island, New York, in 1911, at the age of 28. Ellis Island
records show him recorded as Giuseppe "Sguitti".
He then traveled to Port Arthur, Ontario Canada, at the head
of Lake Superior. We believe the reasons were that fellow "paesani"
from Malito, like the Gagliardi's lived in both San Paulo, Brazil and
Port Arthur, Ontario Canada.
Some time later he called his wife, Maria Carollo Squitti and her son Caesar Augustus Squitti II , from Italy, and they left for Canada, lucky enough to miss the Titanic on its maiden voyage.
Squitti's Grocery Secord Street 1914
Giuseppe Squitti with wife, Maria Carollo, and sons Caesar and Peter.
Joseph and Maria Teresa Carollo Squitti
settled on Secord Street, the "Little Italy" of the day in Thunder
Bay, then Port Arthur, a booming port city at the head of the Great
Lakes and a gateway to Western Canada, next to Fort William know throughout
the 20th century as the twin cities. Joseph was a fine wood carpenter
from Italy, and opened a small grocery store on Secord Street, behind the
present Italian Hall; the year 1915.
Squitti family 1919 Port Arthur
Peter Squitti - Rose Squitti - Joseph Squitti
- Arthur Squitti - Caesar Squitti
Tragically Maria Carollo Squitti at the age of 33 died during childbirth in the year June 19, 1919, leaving as orphans, Caesar, Peter (Lucky), Natale (Arthur) Rose Squitti, and the newborn Mario Terrence. The children were put into an orphanage and Mario Terrance the newborn died shortly thereafter.
THE JESUS CHRIST CODE.
The LIGHT: The Rainbow of Truth.
by Caesar J. B. A. Squitti
The Jesus Christ Code authored by Caesar J. B. Squitti can be found on the internet.
Almost 20 years of research into various philosophical paradigms resulted in the discovery of a negative side to truths; anti-truths.
The discovery expands the definitions of three concepts, 'half-truths', lies', and truth'.
The discovery
suggests that the biblical story concerning the 'original sin' may
indeed be true."
Dedicated to the
memory of my loving parents !
We cannot allow the manipulation of historical
truths, half-truths and lies of history dictate The Truth about these
people; even truth can Lie.
The family was noble in origin and concerned about the equitable
treatment of their community. Injustice and corruption
was all around them, more then than now, and many a time they
fought hard to deal with it among the prejudices, the hatred the lies
that was and is this world.
To use words that we all have heard,
'he who is without sin, cast the first stone'....to judge a person
who have to know The Truth, and frankly, only God knows The Truth....
Caesar J. B. A. Squitti
Robert Squitti married Joyce Hardy, (England)
children Norman, Larry, Robert, and Sherry Lynn.
Robert started Robert's Plumbing
in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
-------
ART
NATALE SQUITTI
Third son
of Joseph Squitti
Art Natale Squitti was born in 1915 in the south side of Port Arthur, now Thunder Bay on Secord Street.
He attended Saint Josephs School and he often spoke of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and the Priests of Saint Anthony's Church, especially Monsineur Tomaselli.
Arthur was orphaned when at the age of 4 his mother, Maria Teresa Carollo died, leaving four orphaned children.
During his early years he was known to have been selling papers on the street corners.
Finishing school he ventured into mining and then fishing on Lake Nipigon, know and respected by the Natives in the area as a fisherman on Lake Nipigon.
He worked as a miner and eventually owned his own Taxi Cab company, where he was known as "Arturo the Taxi Driver" or "Taxi-Art" by the Chinese. Many Italians in the area still speak highly of him, as he was an ambassador to the newly arriving Italian Immigrants.
Born in Canada he could speak fluent English and Italian, (Calabrese) and found great enjoyment in providing these people of Italian origins with information, connections and jobs; he had heart. Arthur Squitti often spoke to his children about the poor of the world, and often referred to the children of the world who did not have what we had.
A special note is made of "Angelina Agostino," who when Art was orphaned became his adopted mother, and who owned a small corner grocery store on the corner of Cornwall Street and Ontario Streets.
Mr. Joseph and Angela Agostino
on their 50th Anniversary, being awarded a plaque
from with the Papal blessing from Father Bortinione and a representative
from the Italian Society of Port Arthur, Joe Baratta.
Arthur Squitti, would often refer to Mrs. Agostino
his "Real Mother." As an orphan Arthur, would often go to the Agostino's
Grocery Store, and it is in my opinion Mrs. Agostino who became the
source for much of Art's "loving " personality.
This rare loving character is found within many of
the other Agostino's. Mrs. Agostino's family included sons, Jimmy,
Frankie, Johnny, Nicky, Tony, Raymond, and daughters, Carmel (DiPaulo),
Rose(Maki), Edith (Figliomeni) of Schreiber fame.
Arthur Squitti
Arthur Squitti at White Mines 1930's
Times were tough. During the 30's Arthur Natale, or Art as they called him is pictured as a miner in one of the mines of Northern Canada. Art was also known among the natives as a fisherman on the herring boats of Lake Nipigon, later on Lake Superior.
Arthur Squitti
Arthur Squitti as a taxi driver
for Checker Taxi on Cumberland Street in the 1950's
During the 50's and 60's Arthur Squitti drove taxi
for then Checker Taxi, and then went own to own his own cab; ART'S
Taxi during the 50's and 60's.
Calender from 1958
Arthur Natale Squitti passed
away June 26, 1976.
Marianne's parents
Concetta Bertucci and Francesco Rosso
(Simbario, Catanzaro
- Italy)
Concetta Bertucci and Francesco
Rosso
of SIMBARIO, Calabria ITALY
(The Rosso family is believed to have emigrated from
France where the name was Russo, The Bertucci family, were Merchants
from Venice)
( Concetta Bertucci had 9 brothers and sisters who
immigrated to Chicago )
Francesco Rosso's Parents
were
Domenic Rosso and Nicolina Roti.
Domenic Rosso's parents were Francesco and Catarina
Gagliardi.
Nicolina's parents were Vito Roti
and Caterina Scopacasa.
Vito Roti's parents were Dominco Roti and Catarina Coda.
Catarina's parents were Antonio Scopacasa and Nicolina Coda.
Concetta's Parents
were Vincenzo and Maria Catarina Bertucci of Simbario
(source: Bruno Speziale, Mississauga
)
- They had 9 children -
(We invite those who have pictures to e-mail them to us at squittis@tbaytel.net )
( The parents of Concetta Bertucci,
were Vincenzo and Maria Catarina Bertucci of Simbario - )
- who had 9 children, 8 went to Chicago listed below
)
Nonna Concetta Bertucci, was known as a very hard
working compassionate religious woman who cared not only for her
family but those throughout the the entire village. She was known to
say,
"give with one hand but don't let the
other hand know".
Marianne Rosso+Squitti - The Noble Godmother !
" Ha mangiato? " . . . " Did he eat ?"
These were the words that Mamma Squitti spoke to Mr. Vito Luceno. The scene takes place in our family livingroom with Mamma Squitti on her daybed. Mr. Luceno had arrived from Toronto to see us. Months earlier, the last time Vito Luceno had seen Mamma Squitti she was on life supports for some three weeks at the Port Arthur General Hospital, dead to this world. Miraculously she was recovering and she was now sitting on her day bed in a very frail state of health and partly blind. When we mentioned to mother that Mr. Vito Luceno from Toronto was there to see her comment was....
" Ha mangiato ? " translated to mean, "Did he eat ?"
Mr. Luceno smiled, chuckled and said, " Yes I had something on the plane." This was and will always be the genuine motherly love and concern of a one human being to another !
In contemporary North American+Italian culture, the term "Godfather" ignores the positive images of a man, an elderly man; compassionate, caring and a politically active individual who seeks justice for his people, his community. Mutual respect and integrity were key, and where the best interests of the community were his prime motivation. People were family, and sometimes the system did not provide for them justice, and the Godfather took this responsibility upon himself. In keeping with the noble tradition of the godfather, Momma Squitti in her life was very much a "Godmother" to those around her.
Marianne Rosso was born the youngest girl of eleven children to Concetta Bertucci and Francesco Rosso. It is said that when she was born, someone was heard to say, "Poor Francesco...another Girl" Her father Francesco responded by saying, "she will be the queen of my family." I believe history will prove him right.
Marianne was born in the village of Simbario, in the "sole" of Italy, in the heart of the province of Calabria, creatively using the God given talents and skills that would be so evident to all who knew her. Simbario is a small agrarian town of some 2,500 located in the southern tip of mainland Italy, on a plateau in the mountains, one of the "triplet towns" that include Spatola and Brognaturo, near the city of Serra Saint Bruno, known for its monastery. As a town merchant she was involved and helped many of the family in various of the small and humble businesses they operated.
It was here that she acquired her community spirit and the belief that indeed the world is one small global village.
I came across a very interesting picture (below) taken of my mother in Southern Italy, Simbario, in 1945 just shortly after the war. The picture includes Marianne with other cousins and an American Soldier. This "Americano," was in fact, their cousin Bruno Spina (Bertucci) Grandson of Bruno "Braco" and Maria Antonia "Jenny" (Colangelo) Bertucci. He could not speak any Italian, and here he was at war with his motherland, unable to communicate with his family; all within one generation; politics is all about polarizing people, even families.
Taken in Simbario 1945, during the 2nd World War, at the back door of Grandma Concetta's home, symbolizes the 'tragedy of war. Cousins from different countries at war, fighting each other because of politics.
Bruno Spina, son of Joseph and Catherine (Bertucci)
Spina. (Chicago)
Grandson of Bruno "Braco" and Maria Antonia "Jenny" (Colangelo)
Bertucci.
Catherine (Bertucci) Spina, (mother of the soldier) had a brother Vincenzo "Jimmy" Bertucci, and Frank Bertucci were the three surviving children of Bruno "Braco" (who was born in Simbario) and Maria Antonia "Jenny" (Colangelo) Bertucci.
Marianne's family in Italy was involved in various business operations. They owned and cultivated lands that bore fruits of many types, cherries, plums, pears. Their lands were used to raise livestock as they operated a meat market. The family made cloths, like linen and wool, did their own sewing and crocheting. They baked bread for the town. Mother would often tell the story about a Cherry Tree. It was located on a family farm close to the roadway. People would take of this tree so Marianne decided to build a wire fence around it to keep them away. The next year this cherry tree bore no fruit and when she told her mother about this her mother told her that this was "God's way" of teaching her not to be selfish. The fence was quickly removed and a lesson learned; sharing.
Marianne attended elementary school, but was too busy looking after the family businesses to continue. It is said that the most successful business people in the world have less than a grade 2 education, and I can see why. She was a self-made woman. Talented, strong, creative, honest, hardworking, and very religious. Paradoxically her strengths were overshadowed by her honest humility in a world that was not. She was and will be a monument to integrity and goodness.
Besides working the family businesses, a mother would often help the town's doctor, and act as a mid-wife.
Marianne would speak of how the eleven orphaned children and her mother Concetta would say the rosary gathered in a small circle in the evenings. Occasionally her mother would have to nudge one of the children if they fell asleep. Religion and prayer were an integral part of everyday life.
In one incident the town priest when seeing how well kept the children were, suggested to Concetta that she should be taxed more because her children were so well dressed. Concetta grabbed the priest against the wall, and warned him, "with 11 orphan children the Church has not ever helped her and if it was not for the fact that he had baptized many of her children, she would deal with him differently." In credit to this priest, he did at another time say, that Concetta Bertucci would definitely "go to heaven with all her clothes on for the way she lived her life, but he, a priest would certainly go to hell, for he studied and preached the word of God and should know better."
During the war, grandmother would hide foods and share them anonymously with those in need in the small town. This small town "community" environment helped in part to build the character that focused on sharing, family values, mutual respect and benevolence. Marianne's character was symbolized by a common statement she would speak, "tenitivi cura, utatavi, voletivi bene" translated to mean, "look after yourselves, help each other, and love one another."
Trip to Canada - Angelina, her sister was sick in the hospital !
In November 1954, Marianne Rosso, 35, boarded a boat in Naples; her destination Halifax, and then Port Arthur. She left her store and her mother, whom she was caring for to attend to a sister, Angelina who was sick in the hospital in Port Arthur. Her brothers Vincenzo and Fortunato, and her sister Angelina Bertucci had found work at Sapawe an isolated saw mill town in Northern Canada. It was said that for months her pet dog roamed the hills surrounding the city in search of her, I am certain she was missed by all.
The trip by boat was a difficult one, with many of the passengers sick from riding the vast Atlantic. The character of Marianne can be realized by one incident. A fellow traveler was experiencing sea sickness, and was somewhat embarrassed and too sick to see the doctor, and had asked Marianne to visit the doctor in her place. So Marianne went to the doctor in her place and gave the doctor her friends symptoms. The doctor gave her some pills for sea sickness, but before leaving insisted she take a spoon full of medicine that she had to take in the office. So she told her friend, you were sick and I took some medicine for you, I hope you will get better.
Like many of the immigrants of the time she often spoke of the trip across the sea to Halifax. The giant waves, the swells, and the fish that swam by the side of the boat. Immigration allowed her to pass with no difficulties, then by train to Thunder Bay, then Port Arthur.
The trip across the ocean by boat was a difficult one. The character and destiny of Marianne in this "New World" would be realized by one incident. A fellow traveler was experiencing sea sickness, and was embarrassed and too sick to see the doctor. She asked Marianne to visit the doctor in her place. So Marianne went to the doctor and gave the doctor her friend's symptoms. The doctor gave Marianne some pills, and insisted that before she left she take a spoon full of medicine. Marianne gave the pills to the sick passenger, with the comment, "you will get better soon, I also took a spoon of your medicine ! "
Marianne came to Port Arthur to look after her sister Angelina who was in the hospital in very poor condition. Exploratory surgery left a cancerous growth. Marianne was surprised to find Angelina in the hospital with an open incision. She advised the doctors to close the surgery, treat with her with strong antibiotics. Angelina recovered..
The family brothers, and sisters of Marianne Rosso were at Sapawe, a small sawmill town in Northern Ontario. The sunny and warm hills of southern Italy were replaced with wooden shacks, wood stoves, and the harsh cold freezing winters of Northern Ontario.
Marianne's brothers had found work in Sapawe, a saw mill town in Northern Ontario. In the freezing cold, in the dark woodlands, living in a cold wood tar shack, Marianne would often cry, thinking of the homeland she had left. The shock of the setting did not overwhelm Marianne as she used her resourcefulness to start raising chickens that provided food and eggs for her and others. She engaged in blue berry picking, gardening, shoe repairs, to help sustain herself and her brothers and sisters. Marianne helped remodel a home for her brother who was expecting his new wife, and upon her arrival, three became a crowd and Marianne moved to Port Arthur.
Marianne found a job St. Josephs Heritage as a cook.
She hoped to raise enough to pay her ticket back to Italy, however,
news came that her mother had passed away in Italy. Marianne changed
her clothes to black as was the Italian custom. The Sisters found it quite
amusing one day to take off her clothes and wrap her in white sheets, Marianne
was not amused. In another incident Marianne told the story of not being
able to cut frozen butter into perfect squares. Mother Superior in a moment
of anger, take the handle of a knife and struck the back of her knuckles
causing them to swell. Marianne had never been struck by her mother let
alone people she worked for. She ran away, and Police were called to look
for her. She left Saint Joseph's Heritage, to meet a wonderful woman by
the name of Mrs. Grace Ubriaco who helped her find a job at Vi's Tavern on
Bay Street. I am quite certain that the area enjoyed meals that were indeed
heavenly. She was working to pay for her fare back to Italy when she met
Arthur Natale Squitti, owner of Art's Taxi.
SAINT ROCCO'S - SIMBARIO, ITALY
Mamma Squitti & Saint Rocco,
Simbario, Calabria Italy
on her balcony in Italy with Saint Rocco in the background
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Squitti were married in 1956 in Saint Anthony's Church in then Port Arthur, (now Thunder Bay ) Ontario Canada. and took up residence at 219 Secord Street, next to grandfathers house. The house was know for its beautiful garden, that many children enjoyed, and the annual winter hockey rink that Arthur would build each year.
When Marianne was in the hospital to deliver her first child, a nurse brought her a book. The book was to help name her child. Marianne Squitti responded, "when the book has a child, we will let the book chose the name of the child." Marianne worshipped and respected religion and tradition where children were given names in honor and respect of grandparents, aunts and uncles, not books.
Marianne's brothers and sisters had now moved to Port Arthur and had purchased a rooming house at 325 Bay Street. When the partnership failed, Marianne sought to remedy the situation and purchased the rooming house from them in 1964.
The rooming house was purchased at a time that the economic conditions in Canada were just improving. The rooming house housed many elderly retirees, people moving from the reserves and people moving through the city. Marianne was use to cooking for large groups would often cook up extra portions for the elderly who lived upstairs, and her kitchen became the source for some truly great dishes that went to these people, mostly needy people; these people gave Marianne the nickname "Mamma." Mamma respected all people, especially the needy and the poor, regardless of color. "We are all children of one God," she would often say, and I am witness to her generosity, at least the part I knew about. Many, many people have fond great memories of "Mamma," and respect for her good council.
"Mamma - The Thinker"
"Mamma - The Thinker"
Many people sought her honest advice and wisdom.
Marianne's parents
Marianne was the daughter of Francesco Rosso and Concetta Bertucci. Francesco Rosso had one sister. ( the Rosso family it is said had origins in France, and it is history that under Napoleon much of Italy was part of the French Empire). In fact Francesco Rosso had immigrated to Chicago, and bought a farm there, but his wife Concetta Bertucci did not want to move to Chicago and stayed in Simbario, Italy.
Concetta Bertucci, the daughter of Vincenzo and Maria
Catarina Bertucci of Simbario, had 8 brothers and sisters, all of which immigrated
to Chicago to tame it in the late 1800's.
The Bertucci's in America
(OUR AMERICAN COUSINS)
- Parents: Vincenzo and Maria
Catarina Bertucci of Simbario -
- 9 children -
(We invite those who have pictures to e-mail them to us at squittis@tbaytel.net )
1.
Bruno Bertucci of Chicago, USA
2. Vito
Bertucci of Chicago, USA
3. Joseph
Bertucci Chicago, USA
4. Fred
Bertucci of Chicago, USA
5. Marianne (Roti) of Chicago,
USA
6. Victoria (Vari) of Chicago, USA
7. Mariangela(Roti) of Chicago, USA
8. Rose (Previte) of Chicago, USAR
9.Concetta (Rosso)
Simbario Italy
Concetta Bertucci, Marianne's mothers was the only daughter of Vincenzo Bertucci and Maria Catarina to remain in Simbario. Concetta's Bertucci's husband, Francesco Rosso, went to Chicago for several years in the 20's, bought some land, but returned to Italy because Grandma did not like the big city.
Concetta Bertucci's four brothers, Marianne's uncles, included Bruno Bertucci, Vito Bertucci, Fred Bertucci and Joseph Bertucci as well as the four sisters, Marianna, Victoria, Mariangela and Rose, all immigrated to Chicago in the early 1900's.
. The Bertucci Grocery Store located at 268 W. 24th
Street became the center for establishing the Saint Rocco's Day Festival
in Chicago and building a safe haven for newly arriving immigrants.
Despite the half-truth stereotypes of Italians in Chicago, there was
much corruption within the political and judicial systems that Italians
had to overcome by looking after each other.
Saint Rocco's Festival Chicago
chicago
- new york - toronto - thunder bay - simbario
Saint Rocco's Festival
- 24th Street Chicago - August 16th
Treasurer of Saint Rocco's Society - Bruno Bertucci grandson
of founder Bruno Bertucci
They had 6 children, Vincenzo, Maria, John, Frank, Vincent and Catarina.
In the center is grandmother, Maria Antonia "Jenny" Bertucci who was married to Bruno " Braco" Bertucci of Simbario, and directly to the left is her daughter, Catherine "Katie" (Bertucci) Spina, who was married to Joseph Spina of Simbario.
Bruno Bertucci founded the
Society of San Rocco Di Simbario” (Italy) in April of the year
1920 at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church / Santa Maria Incoronata
W. Alexander Street
Chicago, Illinois 60616 (Website Link)
At the age of 38 Bruno had bad legs. One of his
legs was ulcerated and the infection was severe. He had entered the hospital
with hopes of clearing the infection. His legs became infected because
at that time men had to break off ice from huge blocks with ice picks.
Very often, they would accidentally cut themselves with the ice picks;
the ammonia in the ice would leak out, and would get on their legs.
After quite a few examinations,
the doctors told Bruno that his leg would have to be amputated. His
faith was never shaken. He believed that God through the intercession
of St. Rocco would not let this happen to him. Catholics know that St.
Rocco is a Saint known to cure the gravely ill and hopeless.
At this time,
Bruno made a solemn promise to St. Rocco and a nine day novena while
in the hospital. He pleaded that if St. Rocco would intercede and ask
our Lord to cure him and spare his leg, he would start a society in
his honor.
Bruno Bertucci owned a owned and operated a small community grocery store at the corner of 24th Street and Princeton Avenue, near China town. It was a time when the Italian people were looked down upon, and they had no one to turn to except their own.
2. Fortunato Bertucci married Rosina with no
children.
3. Joseph Bertucci was married 
10 CHILDREN (FIVE LIVED PAST CHILDHOOD) Katie, Frank, Vincent(Jimmy Boy) , Theresa, Bruno
Saint Rocco's Festival 2003
(left to right)
Frank Bertucci
Roseanna and the one
and only Michael Ziegler
Concetta Bertucci's four sisters
( Marianne Squitti's aunts, also went to
Chicago )
5. Marianna Bertucci (1880-1972) married Bruno
Roti 9 Children
Sam, Jimmy, Bruno, Frank, Fred Roti, Maria Rosa Roti, Maria
Catarina, Angie, Josie, Bruno
3. Bruno Roti who married Angnes Bedalow,
4. Frank Roti
Mary Rose
2 children
Bruno Fred Roti
Anthony
10. Bruno Roti who married Angie Helen
4 Children Vito, Domenic, Catherine, and James
1. VitoVari who married Rose Maida,
4.
James died in WW 2 ?
6 Children
Rosie, Jimmy, Vito, Salvatore, Bruno, Fred,
1. Rosie Rotie who married Frank Nardi,
2. Jimmy Vincent who married Nicolina Terangs,
3. Vito (Tootsie),
4. Salavatore (Sam) who married Lucille Iasillo,
5. Bruno Roti who married Helen Betty,
3
children Carmela, Maria, and Angelina
1. Carmela Previte who married Vito Barbero.
3. Angelina Previte.
of
SIMBARIO, CALABRIA and had 13 children. Vincenzo, Francesca, Victoria,
Domenic, Bruno, Peppina, Catarina, Nicolina, Angelina, Marianne, Fortunato
and Concetta.
Concetta Bertucci and Francesco Rosso
Francesco
Rosso of Simbario had one sister Concetta Rosso who married who married
a Bertucci in Simbario, and had two sons. Bruno di Postali
(he was the postman in Simbario) and a brother Salvatore (Turri)
Maestro Bruno Postale Bertucci and wife Giuditta
Children left to right
Giuseppe Antonio, Peppina Roti (Simbario - deceased), Victoria
Spinelli (Soverato, Italy), Concetta, Franchescina Bertucci (Dearborn
Heights, Michigan - deceased) , Fortunato (smallest in front)
<>
.
Momma Squitti working on her "Singer"
When Marianne Squitti attended seamstress school in Italy, she was told that she did not need lessons, she had natural talent and went on to design and sew much clothing for the family and her own wedding dress; she was a great designer. Her greatest pride and students were her children; Concetta, Teresa and Caesar.
Axel Katara and Mamma Squitti painting her home.
After her brother and sister decided to sell their rooming house, and in the early 60's Marianne and her husband Art bought it and operated a "rooming house" at 325 Bay Street. This was a world in of itself. People of all walks of life, and all colors walked through this home including teenagers escaping the Vietnam war, native Canadians, and retired elderly bush workers. The picture above sees Axel Katara, from Finland who became an adopted grandfather.
Working on the Cottage on Lake Superior.
Mamma Squitti is shown above at her summer cottage on Lake Superior. Here Mamma went about clearing land and growing a small garden that many of the neighboring children would enjoy. It was here that she built a system of wooden drainage that saw her plant in the dark wet muskeg soil and grow various vegetables each year; this in defiance of the geography books of the day.
Arthur Squitti and the pet dog Blackie.
In 1967, Marianne and Arthur Squitti opened up Squitti's Confectionery, on the near corner of Bay and Secord. It was your small corner grocery store, with the added specialties of imported coffee, candies, olive oil, baccala, imported Italian foods including gift ware, and bedding. Selling out of the store, or out of the Squitti "CHUCK WAGON." The GMC Handi-van was seen delivering groceries in nearby towns like Geralton and Nipigon, or around the country-side and lake front cottages. These were the good old days. Many of the children of the area were given treats, as Mamma Squitti was more than eager to share her good fortune in her small humble grocery store with children of the area, making sure they would have something.
Mrs. Edith Kelly, Mamma Squitti, Mrs. Larabie, Hellen Heitela, Doris Otway, and Lilly Ting.
The Tea Parties ! - " A Heart of Love "
Mamma Squitti will always be remembered for her hospitality, a hospitality that was sincere and from the heart. Her tables were always filled with her best as she shared it.
From the left is Mrs. Edith Kelly, born in New York who grew up in Fort William, in between the flowers is Mamma Squitti, . Mrs. Larabie a friend of the family, Hellen Heitela, wife of Laurie of Bay Street fame, and daughter of Mrs. Edith Kelly, next Mrs. Doris Otway, sister-law to Hellen Kelly, and on the far right, Mrs. Lilly Ting, a friend of the family.
Mamma Marianne
Mamma Marianne Squitti baking bread.
Here Mamma Squitti is shown making bread, and as was the custom an extra 13 loaves of bread were baked and given out to people in honor of Saint Anthony; the thirteen graces of Saint Anthony - pure love for people, all people, of all colors...
Marianne Rosso brought to Canada a wealth of wisdom,
and creative talents that she had learned growing up in Simbario, Calabria
in the province of Catanzaro. The Rosso family, were involved in everything
from cultivating the land, owning livestock, a small butcher shop,
making cloth and clothing, baking bread, to owning small retail stores
in this small village. Marianne Rosso brought to Canada an unlimited
genius in herbolgy, and traditional healing techniques.
Marianne
Rosso (Squitti) 1950 Simbario, Catanzaro, Italy
Mamma was use to baking and cooking for large groups in Simbario Italy, and her kitchen became the source for some truly great dishes that went to the many people. To Mamma, these people were as she would say, all children of one God.
She always looked back on her work and believed that God was working with her.
Her generosity in difficult times was always abundant.
Mama Squitti at the Diamond Counter @ Squitti's
The small variety/grocery store on the corner on Bay Street became too small, to carry the increasing variety of items. Noting that a building in the area was up for sale, Marianne Squitti went out and bought the building at the corner of Bay and Secord Strteets, where the once famous Arnio's Restaurant stood.. In 1975, Mr. and Mrs. Squitti opened up Squitti's "A Beautiful Difference," a specialty department store, on the corner of Bay and Secord Streets, with homemade shelves, a hand painted sign, and the honest values of good business. Here Marianne Squitti is pictured behind the diamond counter, a world away from her humble beginnings in Simbario Italy. Destiny would see Squitti's sell the first Canadian Diamonds in Thunder Bay.
On June 26, 1976 Arthur Squitti passed away, and the family carried on the operations.
Momma Squitti would take the Greyhound bus to visit distributors, manufacturers and importers in Toronto to stock her new store, including visiting many of the best Italian and Jewish merchants on Spadina Avenue. Vendors like Bristone's, David Warsh, and Rose Texiles on Spadina Avenue, where the businesses were family owned. While the children attended University, Mamma would watch the shop.
. The speciality store began to carry a world of items from around the world, including religious gifts and statues, the finest in 18 karat gold jewellery, pearls, fine diamonds, fine crystal, silverware, traditional long white baptismal and communion gowns, children's clothing, the finest in bedspreads from Italy and around the world.
On Sunday, March 26, 2000, Mamma Squitti, our red
rose in this desert of life, passed from this world. To borrow from
a song... now I understand ..." this world was never meant for someone
as beautiful ....".
Mamma Squitti had built herself a crown of humility, compassion
and charity; a crown of love. Her dedication to her family, and those
around her in need was always evident. Her strength of character and
integrity are like those stars in the dark night sky.
Today the specialty department store, Squitti's "A Beautiful Difference" ® with the help of God, is an international internet business, and we their children hope to carry on their dream, their vision and their concern for humanity; thinking and working from the heart.
The Squitti Family.
It is with heartfelt sorrow, that we announce the untimely departure from this world to eternal life of our dear mother Marianne Rosso Squitti, on March 26, 2000 at The Port Arthur General Hospital with her children by her side.
Marianne was born, the youngest daughter of eleven, July 24, 1919, in Simbario, Catanzaro Italy to Maria Concetta and Francesco Rosso.
Her quest for life and family, were dearest to her heart. Religion was her comfort to meet all the challenges of a new country where her new dream began when she met Art Natale Squitti, whom she married on November 21, 1956 at the original Saint Anthony's Church.
Together they raised their children, Caesar, Teresa and Concetta. In 1967 they opened their first business, Squitti's Grocery, on Bay Street, and later opened Squitti's, where with a zest for life, family, and people she shared her wisdom, love and compassion.
Survived by the children she loved so dearly, Caesar, Teresa, Concetta, her special pet "Buddy" and the many other individuals that she cared for, as a loving mother would.
Survived by her children, brother Fortunato (Maria) Rosso of Toronto, 2 sisters, Nicolina (Frank) Galle, Mariangela (Giuseppe) Bertucci of Thunder Bay. Numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives in Italy, France, Canada and the United States.
Pre-deceased by her loving husband, Art Natale in June 26, 1976, her parents, brothers Vincenzo Rosso in Thunder Bay, Dominic Rosso, Bruno Rosso in Italy, and sisters, Giuseppina Rosso-Roti, Vittoria Rosso, Francesca Rosso, and Catarina Rosso-Primerano in Italy.
Mamma Squitti after her miraculous survival from a 4 week coma in 1998
Queen of Heart !
Love...
Bears all things. Believes all things. Hopes all things. Endures all things.
Marianne Squitti, Momma as she was called by many, was given life by her parents Maria Concetta Bertucci and Francesco Rosso, on July 24, in the year, of our Lord 1919, in the town of Simbario, Catanzaro, in the soul of Italy.
Marianne became the youngest of 7 girls in a family of 11 children.
On this blessed occasion of her birth, someone was heard to say,
" Poor Francesco, ...... another girl ! "
Searching his heart, Francesco responded,
"This Child, will be the QUEEN of my Home"
In the 80 years since that BLESSED day of her birth, Marianne Squitti has built herself a crown,
a crown embellished with strength, compassion, courage, charity and humility;
a crown of LOVE.
Marianne's father, poor Francesco Rosso was, absolutely, right; Marianne was a treasure.
We will crown her the queen of HEART; the ruby red ROSE in the Desert of Life !
- - -
Let us leave you with these words of wisdom from Mamma Marianne Rosso+Squitti
Marianne Momma Rosso+Squitti
passed away March 26, 2000
Let us leave you with these words of wisdom from Mamma Marianne Rosso+Squitti
(please use backbutton to return to previous screen)
