Rose Modica
From Eliafamily
Contents |
Rose Elia Modica
| Rose Modica | |
|---|---|
| |
| Fact File | |
| Birth Date: | May 18, 1911 |
| Family Information | |
| Lineage: | Rose Modica Lineage |
| Parent: | Maria and Nicola Elia |
| Siblings: | Angela Ocello Tom Elia Charlie Elia Mary Elia Sam Elia Angelo Elia Tony Elia |
| Children: | Vincent Modica Dolores Stokes Ann Naccarato |
Rose A. Modica was born May 18, 1911, the second daughter of Nicola and Maria Elia, in Shokan, NY (formerly known as Brown's Station). As a small child she moved to Norwich, NY. She attended school until she was about 14. In 1925 she went to work in the Norwich Knitting Mill. She was too young to be working on the machines, so when the inspectors came in to inspect the factory the boss made her hide in the ladies' room. She remembers that the railroad ran in front of the house and that her father worked on the railroad for a while and had free passes for the family to take the train. She and Mary would go with their father to Utica on the train to buy winter coats or shoes. Her mother was a midwife in Italy and also in Norwich. She delivered many of the babies and she remembers her being called out at all hours to deliver the neighborhood babies. Then the doctor would come later and check the babies. Ma never lost a baby. Ma also use to relieve headaches thought to be caused by the "evil eye". She would have a plate of water and cup of oil and with the little finger would three times mix some oil with water till it spread . She would bless the forehead and temples. While doing this she said special prayers in Italian but it had to be done in private so not many witnessed it being done.
Sister Angela sewed all the kids clothes. She would bleach out the flour sacks and make underclothes and slips for the girls and men's shirts and underclothes. Sometimes the design would still be in the cloth and the boys would complain. Out of the 100 lb bags of flour she would make sheets for the bed. They also would walk 2 or 3 miles on Sundays to attend St. Paul's Church. She remembers that everyone had to be in the house by 6:00 or Ma would put the lock on the door. If the boys were late they had to knock to get in and got in trouble (Charles mainly). If Ma would say "you wait until your father comes home" Rose knew trouble was coming and get scared and she would run across the yards to sister Angela's house because she didn't want to be there if Pa had to discipline one of the boys. Pa had a truck to go to Pennsylvania and get coal and a car (a Studebaker) they used to travel to Kingston sometimes. She had one doll that she got at the local landfill. It was missing an arm and a leg but she loved it anyway. Ma would make a toy by taking a hanky and stuffing one corner with paper and tying it in a ball for a doll head. At night they would sit around the stove and Pa would put his feet on the oven door with chestnuts roasting inside and tell stories.
When she was 16 she was reacquainted with Mario and started a long distance courtship. They were married October 22, 1933 in Norwich NY. They and the family left immediately for Kingston and had a reception there. Mario and Rose settled in Kingston and had 2 daughters, Dolores and Ann. Rose went to work in 1944 for Horton's Cigar Factory where she earned 29 cents an hour. She went from there to work at the Barclay Knitting Mill sewing sweaters where she got 75 cents an hour. When IBM moved into the area she became one of the 4000 who were hired by them in 1956. She started working on the typewriter line and later in the soldering department. She retired in 1973. Every winter for 18 years Rose and Mario would spend a couple months in Hawaii, which they enjoyed very much. She enjoys crocheting and has made many beautiful pieces. She usually has one or more of her great grandchildren with her on the weekend. She looks forward to that very much now that Mario is gone.
Mario Modica
Mario Modica was born August 6, 1908 in Shokan, NY (formerly Brown Station), one of 8 sons and 1 daughter of Frank and Febronia Scafidi Modica. He worked for some time on the dairy farm but later left to take a job as a mechanic for New York City Water Authority at the reservoir.
Mario known as Uncle Me Mo was known for his uncanny luck. He was well in to his 80's and could still be found fishing (he always caught his limit on opening day of trout season), playing poker on Friday nights with family and friends, at the Saratoga track for August racing, at Montcello and OTB at other times, or planting a large garden (which he did until age 87). Mario was a gentle, loving, compassionate man who never had a drink of alcohol (not even grape soda or anything that resembled a red drink) never uttered a swear word or told a joke. He did however smile at the rest of the family who did all of the above and would always step up to the bar and buy any one and every one a drink. Even on his winter trips to Hawaii he had friends waiting for him to join the several card games they had each week. He like his wife so enjoyed his children and their offspring. He loved family and friends and was in turn so loved by all. He died on June 11, 1997 and is so missed.
Synopsis of Dates
Rose's Birthday: May 18, 1911
Mario's Birthday: August 6, 1908
Anniversary: October 22, 1933
Rose's Death: September 2, 2005
Mario's Death: June 11, 1997
External Links
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