The guys wouldn’t come near me, but when Frank asked me to dance at the picnic, and then he asked me if he could have a date, I said OK. We had a date to go to Radio City in New York, and that was terrific because you didn’t get to the city too often. It was too expensive. We dated for two years. Then we got married on July 11th, 1937, and we settled on Staten Island.

Your grandpa wanted to learn English, but he didn’t want it like most of the Italians. They kind of half learn, and the words are half Italian and half English. He wanted to sound like an American who was born here.

I want it all. I keep moving and keep the brain active. That’s why I keep registering for classes every term… I always tell to people, ‘Life is short. Eat dessert first!’ That’s my motto—but always in moderation.