Tony and Rose were married, May 27th, 1927. They literally crossed the USA to find each other. My father being born in California, my mother in Illinois, and meeting in the little town of Bayonne, New Jersey. This is how the story goes:
My mother and father met at a dance. My father was never a dancer. Taking one look at Rose, he decided to give it a shot. He asked her to dance to "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", she excepted, then he said to her, "The next time I dance with you, we'll be married 50 years". He kept that promise. My parents were married a few months short of 70 years. They remained in love, "til death did they part".
The above photo was taken in 1927
My father always had a car, and my grandmother needed someone to take her to the hospital where my aunt Lil was. She was an infant, and had been very sick. Someone told her to go to the gas station, that there was a young man who had a car, and that he might be able to take her. So, my grandmother walked to the station, and asked for "Tony". My father was always a gentleman, and could understand Italian, and he said he would be happy to take her. When he went to pick her up, unbeknownst to him that she was Rose's mother. Guess, he was surprised to see her that day he took gramma to the hospital. My grandmother handed my baby aunt to him. He said he looked down into her face and said she looked like a wax doll. Little did anyone know, that he would take the place of a father in my aunt's life.
They lived for a time in Lodi, N.J. then in Garield, N.J....My sister and I were born in Lodi. We never had much in the way of material things, but we had each other, and they taught us the real value of life. It was a good life for all of us. Like all things, it sadly ends.
My parents left behind their two daughters, 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, whom they adored. They were extraordinary, and yet plain simple people. The salt of the earth, with the class of the nobles. These are what made them special.
My father died July 6th, 1996, at the age of 93. My mother as recent as January 16th, 2002, at the age of 91. A dear internet friend wrote this lovely poem for my mother. It is with grateful pleasure to repeat it here:
WIPE AWAY YOUR TEARS
I Am Not Far From You, The Lord Chose To Take Me Now It Was What He Had To Do. My Life On His Earth Was Truly The Best, I Raised My Family And Survived Every Test. I Will Miss All That I Had And I Know You Will All Be Sad, But Please Wipe Away The Tears Just Try To Be Glad. Blessed Mary Walked Beside Me As I Approached Heavens's Gate, "Welcome Home Rose ",Said The Lord "I Could No Longer Wait " by WILLY~1~16~02
Thanks Rosemary Ziegler (willysrose)
This next piece was written by my late brother-in-law, Ed:
To Mom and Dad Raia
"I call them Mom & Dad, because that's what they were to most of us here.
They had many happy years and some sad times, but through it all they stayed together and I believe held this family together. What better proof do you need than to see all of their friends and relatives here right now.
At one time or another everyone here had their lives touched by their kindness.
No matter how far you go or how hard you look, you will never find any better two people on this earth than Mom and Dad Raia...5-29th-1982" Written for their 55th Anniversary.
This is how I picture them. Walking away together, hand in hand. Now in God's hands.
†
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