Family Stories

Biography: Antonio Totaro

Parents: Frank (shoemaker) and Concetta Totaro (homemaker)

Childhood: Antonio had seven brothers and one sister. He learned to be a shoemaker at nine years of age. His mother was an excellent cook (and known for it). All of the brothers and sisters were very close. They lived in a small town within a close-knit neighborhood known for friendliness toward all.

Travel: He came to America on November 10, 1915 and spent the rest of his life there. He was married to Anina (Anna) Furrati.

Other Stories: When Tony was 15 years old, his mother had to practically pull him out of bed to go to Rome and look for work. He didn’t want to go, but she forced him to go. On his way, the horse he was riding wouldn’t go. He felt the ground shaking. An earthquake was happening right then and there. The horse went into a hole in the ground. Tony was not hurt. When he returned home he found the earthquake had flattened their home. He lost his mother and three brothers. When he found his mother, he recognized the wedding ring, which he took off and wore. He named his son Alfred (after one brother who was never found after the earthquake). He saved his only sister, and she lived in Massachusetts until dying at the age of 88.