Giuseppe Occhipinti May 10th, 1876- Dec. 24th, 1971

My grandfather, Giuseppe Occhipinti, was born May 10th, 1876, in Ragusa, Sicily. He was the father of my father, John Occhipinti, who was born August 28th, 1916, in Youngstown, Ohio. My grandfather's parents were Giovanni & Concetta (Occhipinti di Comiso, Sicily)Occhipinti. Giovanni was born in 1836 and died in 1894. He owned a stone mason business in Ragusa, employing his sons to build property stone walls without mortar. According to a cousin, Carmela Emilo of Youngstown, Ohio, her mother(Giavanna Occhipinti Emilo) told her that her father, Giovanni, died when she(Giavanna) was 8 years old. The family legend is that he had consumed a large bowl of figs and suddenly grew sick and died a few days later. Speculation is that he died of a bacteria infection, as he was only around 56 years of age. His death probably contributed to his eldest sons, Tommaso, Emanuele, and my grandfather, Giuseppe, to move away to America, settling in New York(Brooklynn) and then eventually, New Jersey. According to my late Aunt Helen Celio, the sister of my father, John, my grandfather Giuseppe made the trip to NYC and Sicily, a number of times, in order to help bring his other siblings to America. My grandmother, Concetta Cappezuello Occhipinti(also of Ragusa), did not want to stay in the slums of Brooklynn, and insisted that she, Grandpa Giuseppe, and their daughter, my late Aunt Maria, follow her brothers to Youngstown, Ohio, to seek work. According to Aunt Helen & my late father, John, their mother told their father..."I am going with my brothers...you can come with me and our daughter to Youngstown, Ohio, or stay in Brooklynn with your brothers!" Grandpa joined them. This picture of Grandpa was taken around 1905-1910 in
Youngstown, Ohio. Grandpa was around 30-35 years old in the picture. Grandpa Giuseppe worked as a laboror all his life, and only spoke Sicilian. He died Christmas Eve, 1971, at the age of 95 1/2 years of age. He loved to laugh and though only barely 5 feet tall, had very strong upper body strength. He would smile and laugh when he saw me as a young boy...saying.."Tommaso Occhipinti...fidgio mio! (My little son)

Family History Project

After much thought, I have decided that the purpose of this blog will be to create a place for family history of the Occhipinti and DiTommaso families. I will post stories, factual information, photos of Sicily, Rome, & Bugnara, Abruzze, that I have discovered and wish to share with family & friends. Hopefully, as the many branches of our family becomes aware of this site....they too will contribute with stories and information about their branches. Ciao!

One year later and changes

This year has been an interesting one. Following last year's trip, an old client of mine from my music business days of writing jingles and ad campaigns contacted me, seeking re-licensing an old song. This brought about re-newed focus on my creative efforts outside my teaching role. After a year, I am only now getting back to sharing the wonderful trip we took to Sicily and Rome. For me, it was a return in one year, as I had previously made the trip with my sister(summer of 07). Last summer(08), my immediate family made the trip. We arrived on the 4th of July in Palermo. Earlier our 13 year old son inquiered if we were going to watch the 4th of July fireworks there? His sister was not amused. To sum up our Sicilian venture, all I can say is...wonderful cousins...beautiful sea...fantastic sites...multitude of cultures and experiences...no red lights...sand is not good for digital camera...food and service friendlier in Sicily...Rome wonderful...but not as special as driving through villages and smaller Sicilian cities(my wife wanted to go back to Sicily after 2 days in Rome.) And when ordering your meal from an Italian waiter who doesn't speak Inglese...don't smile and say.."Yeah, sure." Especially after he says..."speciale di casa." Other wise known as "the house special." Before I realized what my wife had unknowngly done, 6 waiters returned to our table with King Size appetizer platters enough to feed 20 people. Fortunately, my daughter and I managed to explain and apologize in our remedial Italian, to stop the culinery madness.

I will probably be posting pictures on this sight...and making this a blog for my students this year for sharing interests, ideas, and assignments.

Signing off as Mr. Occhipinti!

Launch!

Soon to come...read about....my 2nd summer trip to Sicily & Rome. It will be the 1st time overseas with Anne, Emilia, and Joseph.

Last year's trip was wonderful. My sister, Janice, and I toured Sicily, reunited with Occhipinti cuginos(cousins) in Trabia and Ragusa, and tasted the most wonderful Sicilian dishes and pastries.

We stood in the house where our grandfather, Giuseppe Occhipinti, was born in 1876. Ragusa, Sicilia. The house is still in the family. It was built in the early 1700's, in the great reconstruction period following the devastating Sicilian earthquake in the late 1690's. Grandpa immigrated to the USA around 1900.

This year, I will show my children where their great-grandfather(bisnonno) was born.