Pasquale's Story
Last year in history class I was required to write a letter in which I would pose as an immigrant beckoning my family in Italy to join me in America.Although a portion of my essay was fictitious, I called my PATERNAL GRANDFATHER, Gene Tunney Odato, to ask for details of the life of his father, Pasquale Odato. Here is what "Pap Pap" told me:
Pasquale lived in Salerno, Controne - a mountainous region of Campania, Italy.Ellis Island records show that he came to America in the first decade of 1900, although I cannot recall the exact year.My grandfather explained that he traveled here with his brother, Angelo. When they arrived Pasquale took a job at a glass factory in Washington, Pennsylvania, at a time when such factory work made up nearly the entire American economy.He was a glass blower in the factory, and often said, "I don't booze around," in reference to the hours he spent earning honest money.Living in Hays with his family, Pasquale enjoyed the American "Italy" that was created in his neighborhood, where many Italian immigrants chose to reside. My great grandfather loved a woman named Annunziata Falce, for whom my Aunt Nancy is named.Pasquale purchased land from Holy Angels Catholic Church, on which he built his own home. In the lower section of his house he sold groceries to the people of his community.
Eventually, Pasquale worked for the B & O Railroad as a night watchman. My grandfather, Gene, told me an interesting story about Pasquale - he was on duty one night, making his rounds on the bridge over the Monongahela River.Three men who had been caught stealing came toward him and threatened him.In order to reach safety, Pasquale leapt from the bridge into the river.
Later, Annunziata and Pasquale were married in Pittsburgh in St. Peters Church. They resided in Brentwood, in the upper story of a brick building and had many sons, one being my grandfather Gene, and a single daughter, Mary.Pasquale was an independent inventor, who created some very interesting items.He created a system so that whenever his mail would be delivered, a buzzer would announce, "Mr. Odato, your mail is here!" Together, he and Annunziata also owned a restaurant, which they christened "The Nite Owl". Pasquale made his own wine, which he stored in the cellar along with watermelons for his children in the summer. Pasquale and each of his sons served in the volunteer fire department for the city of Pittsburgh.
That is all the information I can remember about Pasquale, and I plan to request a few stories when I return to Pittsburgh for Christmas this year.Family is priceless to us, and I thank God for the opportunity to live a life with such wonderful, Italian love...
My grandfather, Gene, resides in Pittsburgh near to where his father built their first home.He lives with my grandmother, Mary Gertrude (Haller) Odato. Together they have five children: Margaret Eileen, Gene Frederick, Nancy, Marianne, and Christopher. They also have a son, Michael, who passed away shortly after birth. My uncle Michael was born between Gene and Nancy. Collectively, I have six first cousins on this side of my family.Eric Miller and his sister Michelle (Miller) Simon are the children of my Aunt Maggie.I am the seventeen year old daughter of Gene, and I have a younger brother Nicholas, named for my grandfather's brother Nicholas.My aunt Nancy - named for Annunziata - has two children, Laurel and Gino Szegedy. Marianne also has two children, Michael and Connor McCoy. (My uncle Christopher is the only unmarried Odato child.)Gene and Chris were the only children to move away from Pittsburgh after college, and the rest of my family still resides there.
Always, I am honored to sign my name Meredith Odato, as I am part of an amazing family...