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A selection of book photos
By Toni Fabrizio Ogden, 2002 ISBN
1888106395 Click photo for full image.
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Charlie D. Fabrizio (Pasquale Pasqualetti), my paternal grandfather, and Rosie (Rosa) Defa, my paternal grandmother, were pioneers. The legacy they left us is a product of the whole of their lives. I am Charlie and Rosie’s oldest grandchild. They showered me and all their grandchildren with attention and love. Now that I am a grandmother, I understand how a grandchild can melt the heart of a grandparent and how a grandparent can fiercely fall in love with a grandchild. The feeble attempt on my part to write their history will never in words describe who they were or what they did. For years my dad, Thomas Fabrizio, their second son, talked about writing a history of his father and mother. Much of the information included in the following pages comes from Dad’s files, journal and memories. He and my mother, Flora Lefler Fabrizio, are to be given credit for countless details of data collected and compiled. It was evident that afternoon in the Spring of 1968 that Grandpa had just come from the sawmill because sawdust shavings and dust were clinging to the hair on his head, arms, ears and nose. He had on the dark blue cotton shirt and matching pants that he always wore. Grandma kept his work clothes clean and pressed. In the summer, the long sleeves were unbuttoned and rolled to his mid-forearm. When he wasn’t working, a pair of gloves flopped from his back hind pocket. In his shirt pocket, was his "day planner"– pieces of paper, a small notebook, and a pencil. I’ll never forget that afternoon when he sat next to me on the couch with that big smile on his face that warmed my heart. His blue eyes were directly connected to his heart and soul. He had a strong upper-body and big thick hands. His black hair was combed straight back. Although Grandpa spoke fluent English, he had a thick Italian accent that was endearing to the family. Grandpa Charlie, an orphan, was born in Italy. Although he was a little shy and didn’t like talking about himself, he agreed to let me record his unique story. It took some nudging, but he finally consented to that informal interview with me one-on-one. We set the simple ground rules. I told him he couldn’t be doing anything else while we talked, and he told me it had to be quick. I had some ideas of what I wanted to ask him, but at the time I was only 22 years old, and I now realize there were many questions not asked and many events not recorded. One regret is that his biological mother is unknown in our genealogy because the orphanage (and all its records) where she placed him at birth, burned to the ground many years ago. However, recently a loose paper was discovered in a box indicating that Charlie’s parents may have been Joe Papanardi and Virginia. No further research has been done as of this date. In spite of this and some other oversights, he did leave us some feelings and facts that will be used in this history. As he talked, I took notes in shorthand. Shortly before Grandma Rosie died, my cousin, Jill Fabrizio, recorded an informal interview with her. Grandma’s parents were born in Italy, but she was born in Salt Lake City. She was raised with many brothers and cousins who were all male. (Her sister, Tracy is thirteen years younger than her.) For this reason and others, she grew up a course, somewhat unrefined woman with a soft heart and a deep love for her family. Until her later years, she always wore a dress, with a full apron over top. Later she branched out into polyester pants. Although she had a gruff demeanor, she really had a humor all her own. When she and Grandpa married, they made a good team. Their lives took on new meaning and purpose. It was difficult locking Grandpa and Grandma into serious conversation about themselves, but many of us were fortunate enough to be invited as passengers and guests on their trek to Salt Lake City once a week. Their old flat bed truck did not have modern distractions of telephones, radios, televisions and VCR’s inside to keep the mind occupied. Riding with them to Salt Lake City was exclusive conversation. This history includes dialogue from family members and friends who interacted with them on these and other occasions. Many insights, events, impressions and personal feelings included in this compilation are direct quotes from Charlie and Rosie’s sons, Art, Tom and Neil, who are living. Art and Delbert worked with their father at the sawmill and on the farm. Tom and Neil, on the other hand, worked closely with their mother in the store. Charlie and Rosie’s daughters-in-law, Jean Gines, Flora Lefler, Carma Moon, and Myrna Newman contributed character insights and personal experiences. And finally, grandchildren shared memorable moments of their grandparents. It’s important to note here that Charlie and Rosie’s sixth son, Delbert, did not contribute first hand information to this history because of his untimely death, September 12, 1967. At the young age of thirty-one, Delbert was killed in a logging accident, leaving his wife and eight children under the age of 12. It was a tragedy for the entire family, but for Grandma and Grandpa, especially, their hearts were broken and they didn’t recover. Charlie died December 26, 1968 and Rosie on June 2, 1974. In 1970, just a couple years after Grandpa passed away, my dad asked business associates and acquaintances of his father to write their opinions of Charlie’s character and memories they may have shared with him. Appreciation is extended to those who responded. Their letters, in their entirety, are included in the appendix alphabetically by last name. Finally, I extend gratitude to close family members. First to my husband Steve for his patience, to my daughter Nikki for her guidance through the development of the manuscript, and my children and siblings who proofread, scanned, and followed up with details of publishing. This story is not intended to be a recital of historical events, but a summary of eyewitnesses who knew Charlie and Rosie Fabrizio. Firsthand contacts and personal letters recount experiences shared and help us intimately become acquainted with these two unique people who left their mark in Hanna, Utah.
Chapter 1 Torricella Pelligna 1903 ". . . And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. . . . " – Malachi 4:5-6 On May 17, 1903, in Torricella Pelligna, di Chieti, Italy, Pasquale Pasqualetti was born out of wedlock, and orphaned as a baby, never knowing his father, and only knowing his mother’s name. * * * * * * * * * *
Antonio Di Fabrizio had a herd of sheep and did some farming to keep his wife and son, Eusebio, fed. Angela Di Paolo, his wife, raised a garden and sold and traded her harvest for the necessities of life. She and her sisters-in-law, Maria Giovanna and Sicolette Porreca, picked up a few extra lire by nursing the orphans at a nearby orphanage. These three women married brothers.
Maria Nicolaia "Coletta" Piccirelli (Frank
Defa's mother), Tony's sons, and Angela Di Pao lo (far right) , the only mother
Charlie knew. Click photo for full image. Not only did Antonio dislike him, but Eusebio and some of Pasquale’s peers gave him a bad time as well. They reminded him of his orphaned state by nicknaming him "Mule," meaning he was the by-product of two Jackasses getting together. He was often spit upon, ridiculed and mocked. Rumor was that his biological mother got pregnant by someone of import who didn’t want the responsibility, nor the blame. Hence, he had a tough beginning. In spite of the abuse he received from so many others, the woman he called Mother, Angela, was very good to him and loved him like her own. The custody agreement Angela had with the orphanage allowed the option of returning Pasquale to government custody at the age of eight. Yet, just shortly before he turned eight, Antonio passed away, and so Pasquale remained with Angela and Eusebio. While other boys his age attended school, Pasquale herded sheep. He learned at an early age the meaning of "child labor." Nevertheless, he yearned for an education and was determined to make it happen. As soon as he finished his day’s work, he walked the five miles into town to attend evening school. Often, he fell asleep at his desk. Then after class, he walked the same five miles home. Notwithstanding this obstacle, Pasquale earned a fourth grade education. World War I began in 1914 when Pasquale was eleven years old. Italy entered the war on the Allied side in May 1915. Angela’s son, Eusebio, was married with children when he was called into active duty in the service. Therefore, Pasquale was expected to work at home, but also help maintain Eusebio’s family in his absence. Finally, in 1918 when the war ended, Eusebio returned home with a negative attitude towards Pasquale. Eusebio ordered Pasquale to leave the only home he’d known! Although this fifteen- year-old was shaken by this turn of events, he also knew he had to leave. Once again in his short life, he had to face rejection and hurt. Instead of giving up, he devised a plan.
Chapter 2 Sixteen and Surviving 1919 Arrivederci Like so many others, Pasquale had heard all the positive comments and stories of that far off land– the advantageous opportunities, the prospect of owning land, even the possibility of becoming wealthy. He looked for an opportunity to become independent of his negative situation at home. Sometimes doors open when least expected. He was excited when his mother’s nephew from the United States unexpectedly decided to visit relatives in Torricella. The two became friends and Pasquale revealed his dream to leave Italy and go to the United States of America. As soon as the nephew returned to America, he proved his friendship to Pasquale when he provided the papers necessary to immigrate. Meanwhile, Angela helped Pasquale raise the money needed for the one-way ticket. Finally, on December 12, 1919, he sailed from Naples, Italy on the ship, Presidente Wilson. Other than a sweet kiss from his mother, there were no sad partings with those whom he left behind. Once on board he took a deep breath, and with an eye toward the west, felt only excitement for the adventure and new beginning. They arrived at Ellis Island in Brooklyn, New York, December 29, 1919. When the ship docked, he was separated from his designated guardian. He knew he was on his own when he looked for her without success. Alone, in a foreign country, this sixteen-year-old young man began a new world for himself! From New York City to Salt Lake City Immediately he began looking for a man in a uniform, known as a
"cop." Someone had told him these uniformed men were the good guys who
would help him. Eventually he found someone in uniform, but he was a she. To
complicate the situation, they couldn’t communicate so he showed her his
papers. After some thought, she told him of an Italian banker, Beradeno, she
knew in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pasquale pulled some Italian money from his
pocket and shrugged his shoulders. This great lady took him to the train
station, paid for his ticket, and tried to explain to him as best she could, how
to find the bank in Philadelphia.. Read more in the book . . .
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