USA > Rhode Island > Italo-Americans of Rhode Island; an historical and biographical survey of the origin, rise and progress of Rhode Islanders of Italian birth or descent > Part 4
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On January 14, 1926, Mr. Addeo married Maria Helen Cicerone. They are the parents of one son: Nunzio Alexander. Home: 112 Suffolk street, Providence, R. I.
AMORE, Antonio J.
Tax Collector and Chief of Natick Fire Department; born in Roccamon- fina, Province of Naples, Italy, August 29, 1905, the son of Michele and Apollonia (Feole) Amore. In 1912, he was brought to the United States by his mother to join his father in Natick.
He attended the Natick public schools and evening high school. At an early age he started life at the Natick mills. In 1921 he started an electrical store for himself, and in 1936 he added the furniture business to his enterprise.
In the past years he has held the office of Tax Collector and Chief of the Natick Fire Department.
Mr. Amore is an honorary member of the Natick Branch of the Italian War Veterans.
Mr. Amore married on September 6, 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Amore are the parents of three children: 1. An- thony, Jr .; 2. Michael; 3. Myrna. Address : 658 Providence street, West Warwick, R. I.
BUCCI, Vincent A.
Insurance underwriter and public official, born in Concacasale, Province of Campobasso, Italy, November 4, 1894, the son of Domenico and Anna Pascale Bucci.
He received his education in the public schools of his native town, and at the age of 16 came to the United States, settling in Providence. Upon his arrival in Providence he worked at anything that he could find in order to earn an honest livlihood. In 1923 he entered the service of the Prudential Insurance Company of America in which field he has been eminently suc- cessful.
In politics Mr. Bucci is a prominent Democrat. In 1936 he was elected Councilman from the 4th Ward. In 1938 he was re-elected and is serving his term to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
Mr. Bucci is a past-president of the 4th Ward Democratic Club, now called the Rao Democratic Campaign Club. In 1933 he was elected President of the society Vittorio Emanuele III and has been re-elected ever since. He is also a member of the B.P.O. of Elks.
On January 28, 1924, Mr. Bucci, married Anna Lisi. They became the parents of three children: 1. Thomas ; 2. Edward; 3. Vincent. Home: 199 Langdon street, Providence, R. I.
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ITALO-AMERICANS OF RHODE ISLAND
BALBONI, Joseph F.
Manufacturer, born in Renazzo, Province of Ferrara, Italy, November 26, 1893, the son of Giacomo and Marianna Zannotti Balboni.
At an early age he was brought to the United States by his parents. After attending the Boston public schools, at the age of 14 he served his apprentice- ship in a mattress factory, learning all the branches of the business. He dem- onstrated his ability and won rapid advancement.
In 1923 he moved to Providence in which city he established a co-part- nership under the name of Justice Bed- ding Company, for the manufacture of high grade bedding. Through the sa- gacity and enterprise of its partners this concern ranks high in the bedding industry of Rhode Island.
Mr. Balboni is President of the Fede, Patria e Lavoro Club of East Providence. His other fraternal and so- cial affiliations include the Elks and Knights of Columbus.
On May 15, 1920, Mr. Balboni married Adelina Busi. They became the parents of three children: 1. Don- aldo L .; 2. Bernice; 3. Gloria.
The Justice Bedding Co., Inc., of which concern Mr. Balboni is one of the founders and an active partner is located at 204 Aborn street, Provi- dence, R. I. Home: 70 Mountain avenue, East Providence, R. I.
BUONANNO, Bernard Joseph
Teacher; born in Providence, No- vember 7, 1908, the son of Anthony and Vincenza (Cipriano) Buonanno. His father, a native of Roccamonfina, Italy, immigrated to these shores about 1898.
He received his education in the Providence public schools and Classical High school, graduating in 1928. He then entered Providence College, from which he graduated in 1932 with the
degree of B. Ph. For one year he was compelled to go to work in order to earn money for his education. Resum- ing his studies in 1933 he took up a Graduate Course at Rhode Island Col- lege of Education, from which he re- ceived the degree of B. Ed. in 1934. From 1934 to 1936 he took up an extension course in education at Brown University. In 1937 he attended Boston University, receiving the degree of Mas- ter of Education in 1939.
In January, 1936, he started his career as a teacher at the Samuel W. Bridgham Jr. High School. In Septem- ber, 1938, he was promoted to the Guidance Department.
Mr. Buonanno is an Assistant Dis- trict Commissioner of Boy Scouts. His other professional, social and fraternal affiliations include Clavis Cultural Club; Catholic Confraternity Associa- tion ; National Vocational Association.
BUONANNO, Bernard V.
Teacher ; born in Providence, May 4, 1909, the son of Vincenzo and Adelina Cipriano Buonanno.
He received his education in the local public schools, Classical High school and Brown University, from which he graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1931. He received the degree of Master of Arts from Brown in 1935.
He began his active career as a pub- lic school teacher at the Senior High school at Apponaug in 1932, remain- ing there until 1935. While there he coached the track team of the Warwick High school. In 1936 he was appointed teacher of French and History at Clas- sical High school in Providence, and because of his versatility in athletics, he was also made Track Coach. During the first year of his appointment, he won the first track championship ever won by Classical High school. After the first year as Track Coach, he was also appointed Football Coach.
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Mr. Buonanno is a member of Mo- dern Language Association and Na- tional Vocational Association.
On April 12, 1937, Mr. Buonanno married Josephine Antenucci of Provi- dence. They became the parents of one child: Bernard, Jr.
BAGALIA, Violet R.
Teacher ; born in Brooklyn, N. Y., the daughter of Andrew Angelo Bag- alia and Silvia Iovene. Her father is a native of Capriati al Volturno, Italy, who immigrated to these shores some forty years ago. Her mother is also a native of Italy.
She attended the Providence public schools and graduated from Technical High school in 1932. Thence she en- tered the Rhode Island College of Ed- ucation, from which she graduated with the degree of B. Ed. in 1936. While at R. I. College of Education she was a member of Circolo Manzoni and Dramatic Club.
Miss Bacalia began teaching as a student teacher in 1937 and received an appointment as permanent teacher in 1938. She is listed as a kindergarten teacher at Nelson Street school.
Miss Bagalia's social, professional and fraternal affiliations include Cath- olic Choral Club, Faculty Players and St. Ann's choir.
BERTOLINI, William
Steel inspector, born in Pawtucket, R. I., August 30, 1904, the son of John and Mary (Giudici) Bertolini. After attending the public schools of Pawtucket, at the age of 15 he went to work for Newman-Crosby Steel Cor- poration, starting first as an apprentice of cold roll steel and later as a steel worker, in which he demonstrated his ability. He won rapid advancement, and in a few years he became steel in- spector.
He is a member of Lodge Roma, Order Sons of Italy, of Pawtucket, R. I.
On October 16, 1933, Mr. Berto- lini married Catherine Coletti of Provi- dence. They became the parents of two children: 1. William John; 2. Robert Alfred. Home: 137 Wallace street, Providence, R. I.
BERNASCONI, E. J., M.D.
Born in New York City, March 12, 1905, the son of Luigi and Maria (Brunelli) Bernasconi.
Dr. Bernasconi received his educa- tion in the elementary schools of Rome, Italy; afterwards at Tyler Grammar school, Providence, 1919; English High school, Providence, 1925 ; Prov- idence College, Providence, Ph. B., 1927; graduated St. Louis University of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, M. D., 1932.
After serving his interneship at St. Joseph's Hospital, Providence, 1932- 33, he was awarded a three year Graduate Fellowship in Ophthalmology at St. Louis Medical School, St. Louis, Mo. Returning there he served as senior interne in Ophthalmology at St. Louis University Group of Hospitals, 1934- 35 ; Assistant Resident in Ophthalmolo- gy, St. Louis Group of Hospitals, 1935-36; Resident in Ophthalmology, St. Louis University Group of Hospi- tals, 1936-37 ; received degree of Mas- ter of Ophthalmology by St. Louis Uni- versity Graduate School, St. Louis, Missouri, 1937; instructor in Ophthal- mology at Indiana University School of Medicine, 1937; consultant Ophthal- mologist, Indiana University Medical Center, 1937. Appointed assistant Ophthalmologist, Rhode Island Hospi- tal, Providence, 1939; appointed Oph- thalmologist, St. Joseph's Hospital, Providence, 1939. He is on the staffs of Rhode Island Hospital, St. Joseph's
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Hospital, Homeopathic Hospital and Memorial Hospital of Pawtucket.
Dr. Bernasconi is a member of the Providence Medical Society, Italo-Am- erican Club and Bradford Club. He is Captain in the Medical Reserve. Office : 271 Broadway, Providence, R. I.
BUONANNO, Joseph Eddy
Teacher; born in Providence, June 27, 1910, the son of Vincenzo and Adelina Cipriano Buonanno.
He received his education in the local public schools; afterwards at Dean Academy, 1929; Massanutten Military School of Woodstock, Vir- ginia, 1930; spent a summer season at the University of California, 1932; Brown University, B.A., 1934.
Following his graduation from Brown University, he began his active career as a teacher at Massanutten Military Academy in 1934, teaching Latin, English and History. In 1935 he be- gan teaching at Hope High school, where he is listed as a teacher of Social Sciences.
While at Brown he was captain of the Brown University football team, the first student of Italian extraction ever to hold such an honor. Since 1935 he has been a coach in football at Brown University.
On May 4, 1934, Mr. Buonanno married Helen Louise Mitchell of Lin- coln, R. I., a member of an old New England family. They became the parents of one child: Joseph, Jr.
BAGLINI, John Joseph
Teacher; born in Pisa, Italy, Feb- ruary 8, 1897, the son of Giuseppe and Massimina (Cateni) Baglini. In 1903, when six years old, he was brought to these shores by his mother, to join his father in Providence.
He received his education in the Providence public schools and at La
Salle Academy, from which he grad- uated in 1920. He then attended Prov- idence College, from which he grad- uated with the degree of Ph. B. in 1925.
In 1930 he was appointed teacher of Modern Languages at the Central High school, a position which he still holds.
He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
On July 6, 1931, Mr. Baglini mar- ried Bilva Almonte, of Providence.
BELLIOTTI, Joseph L., M.D.
The beginning of immigration from Sicily to Rhode Island started in the late seventies and eighties. Among the personalities who have emerged from this group is Dr. Joseph L. Belliotti.
BUCCI, Epidio A.
Bank supervisor ; born in Providence, February 14, 1906, the son of Ismaele and Anna (De Cristofaro) Bucci, who were born respectively, at Cupello, and at Vasto, in the Province of Chieti, Italy.
He attended the local public schools and Technical High school. Following his leaving school, he worked for a few months as an errand boy for the Providence Community Fund. Subse- quently, in 1923, he entered the employ of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, as a messenger boy. Being ambitious and studious, he advanced gradually to positions of importance and responsibility as he demonstrated the merits of his services. At the time of his death, he held the position of Supervisor of the Trust Department of the R. I. Hospital Trust Company.
Mr. Bucci died on March 27, 1940. He was a most promising young man. He was a member of the R. I. Hospi- tal Trust Bank Club and of the Provi- dence Y.M.C.A., and had taken an active part in community life.
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ITALO-AMERICANS OF RHODE ISLAND
BONITATI, Michael
General contractor and builder, born in Pettorano sul Gizio, Province of Aquila, Italy, May 5, 1890, the son of Giovanni and Filomena Cipriano Bonitati. He attended the public schools of his native town for a short time, then at the age of 7 became a wage earner, beginning to work at anything he could find. At the age of 15 he immigrated to the United States, settling in Provi- dence. Upon arriving here in 1905 he obtained employment with leading contractors and at the same time at- tended the evining public schools, thus preparing himself for citizenship and a business career. Later he became an expert carpenter and gained a thorough knowledge of all the deails of the con- tracting business.
In 1928 Mr. Bonitati went into business for himself starting a general contracting and building concern, spe- cializing in the construction of fine homes, gasoline filling stations and all kinds of cement work.
In 1914 Mr. Bonitati married As- sunta Cifelli, American born. They are the parents of six children: 1. Giovan- ni; 2. Joseph, a graduate of Bryant College with the degree of B.S. in accountancy ; 3. Philomena; 4. Or- lando; 5. Evelyn; 6. Michael, Jr.
He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Mr. Bonitati is engaged in business under the name of Michael Bonitati & Sons. Office: 59 Mink Road, Provi- dence, R. I.
BENTI, Frank J.
Union official. When the first Italian immigrants arrived here forty or fifty years ago, they were invariably met with suspicion, contempt and hostility by the laboring elements of the older racial groups who looked upon them as men who came here to accept lower wages or to take the places of
organized labor. In other words, they were accused as being scabs, giving rise to ill-feeling between the newly arrived Italian immigrants and the or- ganized laboring classes of the United States. But through the influence of the American public schools, with the bettering of the Italians in the cultural knowledge, with the arrival from Italy of an intellectual class of Italians, and with the advent of the Americanized Italo-Americans, labor organizations have made rapid progress among Ital- ians. If there is today a class of work- men who are most eager to join labor unions and help in bettering the lot of wage earners are the working people of Italian descent. From this class of workers have emerged labor leaders who are now not only active in organ- izing labor but some of them are in the forefront as union officials.
An American-born of Italian descent who has emerged to high place in organ- ized labor, and was promoted to in- creasingly important posts is Frank J. Benti. He was born in Garfield, N. J., November, 1907, the son of Emo and Filomena Benti, both natives of Italy. His father immigrated to the United States some fifty years ago.
He attended the elementary and high schools of Garfield. At the age of 16 he entered the employ of a silk mill at Lodi, N. J., where he worked in various departments and learned all the details of the textile industry. From the time he became a wage-earner, he showed a lively interest in the growth of labor movements, and was most active in organizing labor.
In 1933 he was very active in or- ganizing the dyers union. Following its organization he became president of Lo- cal Dyers 1932 of Passaic, N. J. Later he was active in organizing the Federa- tion of Dyers and became its vice-presi- dent. He subsequently organized the dyers in New England, receiving the appointment of Textile Director for the
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state of Rhode Island of the Textile Workers Union of America.
A youthful official, possessing hon- esty of purpose and unbending in his principles, Mr. Benti has traveled ex- tensively throughout the Middle Atlan- tic states and New England, and has become personally known to great num- bers of CIO members and workers in general. He is President of the Passaic Dyers Local, 1932; Executive Vice- President, Federation of Dyers, Fin- ishers, Printers and Bleachers of Am- erica ; State Director, Textile Workers Union in Rhode Island; Vice-Presi- dent, Rhode Island CIO Council.
Mr. Benti's office is at 58 Plainfield street, Providence, R. I.
BRUNO, Gabriele
General contractor and builder, born in Panni, Province of Foggia, Italy, April 8, 1884, the son of Paolo and Caterina Bruno.
He attended the public schools of his native town until twelve years of age, when he served his apprenticeship in carpentering. For some years, there- after, he worked as a skilled carpenter and gained a thorough knowledge of the contracting business. At the age of twenty he immigrated to the United States, settling in Providence. He at once obtained employment and worked at his trade until 1925, at which time he started a contracting business for himself. He has been very successful and during the fifteen years that Mr. Bruno has been in the contracting busi- ness, many fine houses have been erect- ed, and the Italo-American communi- ty owes much of its residential growth to the public spirit, energy and busi- ness foresight of Gabriele Bruno. Known for his honesty and ability, he deserves that typically American title, a self-made man.
Mr. Bruno is a member of the Pan- nese Society.
On October 18, 1908, Mr. Bruno married Carmela Clasca, a native of Deliceto, Province of Foggia Italy. They are the parents of six children : 1. Paul, associated with his father in the business; 2. Joseph, associated with his father in the business; 3. Cat- erina; 4. Rocco, a medical student at Western Reserve University ; 5. Clelia, a student; 6. Atlante, associated with his father in the business.
Mr. Bruno conducts his business un- der the name of G. Bruno & Sons, general contractors and builders. Office : 4 Courtland street, Providence, R. I.
BARONE, Salvine
Business man. Barone is one of the oldest Italian families in Rhode Island, and dates back to the 70's when his father, Saverio Barone, one of the earli- est Italians to immigrate from Capriati al Volturno, Italy, settled in Providence and helped in the building up of the Italian colony. Saverio Barone married Teresa Cipriani, also from Capriati al Volturno, Italy. Saverio Barone died in Providence on July 25, 1939.
Besides Salvine, of this sketch, an- other son of the late Saverio and Tere- sa Cipriani Barone was the late Nicho- las Barone, who enlisted in the United States Army in 1918. He died at Camp Mead, Maryland, in November, 1918. The Nichola Barone Post, Am- erican Legion, is named in his honor. The Nicholas Barone Memorial Square at the corner of Charles street and Branch avenue, is also named in his honor.
Salvine Barone, was born in Provi- dence, May 5, 1892. After leaving school at the age of fifteen he went lo work for Comstock Dairy. He later was employed as salesman by J. P. Squire. In 1918 he enlisted in the United States Army, serving as clerk at Quartermaster Department, Head- quarters, Camp Dix, N. J. He was
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ITALO-AMERICANS OF RHODE ISLAND
honorably discharged in December, 1918. Following his discharge, he re- sumed his job at J. P. Squire. Next he went into the provisions business and later sold shares for the Narragansett Filling Station. He then became man- ager of a filling station on Atwells and Harris avenues. In 1928 he established a business for himself, the Barone Oil Company, at 391 Charles street, in which venture he has been engaged ever since.
On June 16, 1932, Mr. Barone married Della Albanese, American born. They are the parents of one child: Saverio Frank Barone. Address : 391 Charles street, Providence, R. I.
BOIANI, Lodovina Gentili
Hotel proprietor and well-known civic and fraternal worker; born in Fano, Province of Pesaro, Italy, March 27, 1889, the daughter of Fil- ippo Gentili and Santa Iacucci Gen- tili. She attended the public schools and later entered the boarding school main- tained by the pious nuns Venerini in her native town. While there in addi- tion to her education, she studied dress making-designing.
On April 21, 1910, she married Dandolo Boiani. In 1912 she came to the United States to join her hus- band in Newport. She is the mother of two children : 1. Philip, an investigator for the Compensation Board; 2. Mrs. Laura Peterson.
Mrs. Gentili Boiani is a founder and president of Circolo Culturale Ital- iano; founder and president of Ladies' Auxiliary of Order Sons of Italy; founder and lecturer of Lodge St. Cath- arine of Order Sons of Italy ; member of Lodge Progresso e Civilta of Order Sons of Italy ; member of Holy Family of Cenacle Convent; member of the Democratic City Committee. Home: Hotel Cranston, 171 Broadway, New- port, R. I.
BOVE, Anthony, Right Rev. Msgr.
See Page 42, First Edition, Italo- Americans of Rhode Island, 1936.
CALDARONE, James
Proprietor of Academy Motor Sales, and well-known in business and frater- nal circles; born in Marzano Appio, Province of Naples, Italy, September 17, 1896, the son of Angelo and Tere- sa (Capuano) Caldarone, both natives of the same town. His father who came to Rhode Island in 1885, was one of the earliest immigrants from Marzano Appio to settle in Providence.
When three years old he was brought to Providence. He was educated in the local public schools, and at the age of fifteen he began his apprenticeship as an automobile mechanic and success- fully followed his trade in the shops of many outstanding automobile con- cerns until 1924, at which time he opened his own business as an automo- bile dealer. With offices and sales rooms located on Academy avenue, this establishment over which Mr. Calda- rone directs, is one of the most success- ful and most capably conducted enter- prises of its type in the Mount Pleasant district.
For many years prominently active in fraternal organizations, he is a mem- ber of St. Anthony Council, Knights of Columbus; Lodge Vittoria, Order Sons of Italy.
Mr. Caldarone married on May 23, 1915, Maria Celano, a native of Bas- ilicata, Italy. They are the parents of four children : 1. Albert, a graduate of R. I. College in Business Administra- tion ; 2. Raymond; 3. Evelyn; 4. Beatrice.
Mr. Caldarone's Academy Motor Sales, dealing in De Soto and Plymouth cars, is at 247 Academy avenue, Prov- idence, R. I.
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CAPALDI, Isidoro
General contractor; born at Filigna- no, Province of Campobasso, Italy, May 10, 1876, the son of Gaetano and Angela (Capaldi) Capaldi. At the early age of twelve he was brought to the United States by his father. Upon coming to this country he was immediately put to work with contrac- tors and builders. From that time began a determined struggle for survival in the land of opportunity. After spend- ing many years in acquiring a thorough knowlege of all the details of the con- tracting work, Mr. Capaldi went into business for himself starting a general contracting concern specializing in sew- erage and water works. His activities as a contractor have carried him to Massachusetts, New York and other states.
Mr. Capaldi has made for himself a position among the leading contractors of this city and takes an active part in Italo-American affairs.
In 1903 Mr. Capaldi married Chia- rina (Passarelli) Capaldi. They are the parents of the following children : John Vincent, Gaetano, Edward and Alfred, all of whom are associated with their father; Arthur, a jewelry tool- maker ; Mrs. Yolanda Fleming ; Mad- eline, a student ; Humbert, a student.
Mr. Capaldi is engaged in business under the name of Isidoro Capaldi & Sons, of which he is president and treasurer. Home: 335 Branch avenue. Office: 296 Silver Spring avenue, Providence, R. I.
CALCAGNI, Frank
Captain Providence Fire Alarm De- partment ; born in Arce, Province of Frosinone, Italy, January 5, 1893, the son of Gennaro and Livia (Grimaldi) Calcagni.
When young Calcagni landed here from Italy at the age of sixteen, he attended the evening public schools and
later studied under private teachers. He joined the Providence Fire Department on April 4, 1917. On June 15, 1918, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. In the meantime he attended a course in elec- tricity at the University of New York, graduating on August 13, 1918. In a few months he had advanced as in- structor at the telephone school, at Co- lumbia, South Carolina, serving with the rank of sergeant. Later he was pro- moted to the rank of sergeant-major, serving for eight months with the 12th Regiment Field Artillery, at Columbia, South Carolina, He was honorably dis- charged on January 15, 1919.
Upon his return to Providence he was assigned as a telephone operator in the Fire Alarm Department. In 1926 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the Fire Alarm Depart- ment. In 1927 he went to Europe where he attended the convention of the American Legion. In 1936 he was promoted to the rank of captain in the Fire Alarm Department, the first Italo-American in Rhode Island ever to hold such an important position.
Captain Calcagni married (first), in 1921, the late Carmela Di Luglio, deceased. He married the second time, Rose Ferrara, in 1929. He is the father of the following children: 1. Frank, Jr. ; 2. Robert ; 3. Theresa.
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