As told by my Father, Gulielmo Silvio Melillo one of eight children was born in Teora Italy on January 1, 1889 to Fedele Nicolo Melillo and Maria Masini. He came to America from Teora, Italy, Province of Avellino which is in the Compagnia Region of Italy. Their farm, approximately 45 acres wasn't enough to sustain 8 children, so Papa, like many other immigrants before him, came to seek his fortune in America. After the death of his first wife, Rose, he decided to settle in Newark where he worked for Alderney Dairy. He worked there for 40 years. It was while living in Newark that my father, me, and my mother, Maria Julia Ferrara, the daughter of Nicole and Giuseppina Maria Milano Ferrara, who also came from Teora, Italy. My mother resided at 33 Garside Street which was in the old first ward that was inhabited mostly by Italian immigrants. The houses were 3 stories with four to six families, constructed of brownstone and brick, no wider than 25' x 75' on lots 25' x 100' with a 25' backyard that was reserved for vegetable gardens and play area for children. Later, the streets became their playground playing ringaleria, caddy, stick ball, and buck, how many horns are up and marbles, on the 3 food wide dirt area between the sidewalks and the streets. Mothers would sit on the front stoops and proudly observe their children compete, and visit with their piasanoís (neighbors). Everyone looked out for each other's children as one big family.

Growing up on 9th Street, our home was comprised of the first floor which had a living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, a bath and a basement that was a huge kitchen area with a table that could accommodate 20 people. With 6 boys, it was our playroom. While my mother was preparing supper, us children would gather around the table and do our homework and listen to the Philco Radio. We listed to programs such as Gang Busters, Lux Theatre, The Shadow and Amos and Andy.

It was during the depression, in order to supplement his income from the dairy, my mom decided to open an Italian grocery store in the basement, where she sold a varied assortment of canned goods, salami's and cheeses, chi chi beans, condiments, pasta's olive oil and spices. How well I remember a man named Angelo who would carry two wheels of romano cheese on the subway from New York to sell. Mama would ask to sample it and if it was to her liking, she would buy both wheels and make his day.

Everyone walked to do their shopping along Bloomfield Avenue, for we had within a 5 block area, a fish market, chicken store, produce displayed in crates on the sidewalks and 3 bakeries. Giordano's was the most prized but it was about 16 blocks away, and that was too far to walk for a loaf of bread. Frank Sinatra and Lou Costello were frequent customers of Giordano's Bakery.

When I was a child, about 26 months old, by grandfather, during the summer to give my mother a break, would take me to Branch Brook Park to spend the afternoon. It was at this time that there was a massive search for the missing Lindbergh child, who was kidnapped on March 1, 1932 from his crib in Hopewell, New Jersey. My grandfather, who spoke no English, was seen with this toe headed child walking in the park. A mounted policeman who was patrolling the park became suspicious and be gain questioning my grandfather. Grandpa could not speak English, and try as he may in Italian, could not convince the officer that I was his grandson. A tugging match ensued between my grandfather and the policeman who were trying to take me away from him. Papa, who was quick tempered, lost his patience and slugged the cop. He was arrested and he and I were hauled to the 5th precinct. When we did not arrive home, mama got concerned and my papa called the police. He learned that they had arrested my grandfather and we were at the 5th precinct. Where upon, he took a bus to the police state on Orange Street. When he arrived, there I was, sitting atop the Sergeants desk eating candy, for they were convinced they had caught the kidnapper and recovered the Lindbergh baby. We were released into my fathers custody.

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