Damiano D'Amato was born in Toritto de Bari, Puglia, Italy, son of Rocco and Antoinette Spana D'Amato, who moved from Grumo Appula just prior to Damiano's birth.
He served in the Italian Army as an aide to a General who taught him how to read after Damiano returned with a day old newspaper. The General was angry and said, "Can't you read? Damiano answered, "No, sir." The General softened his voice and said, "Would you like to learn?" "Yes, Sir" was his reply. The General took time out each day to teach him to read.
Damiano married 1. Elizabeth Rosato approx. 1888 and they had 3 children, all named Gerardo, who did not survive. Living sons were: Rocco, Gerald, Anthony, Constantine (Cus), and Nicholas.
Elizabeth died at the age of 38 and he remarried, second wife unknown. His 3rd wife was Marguerite Borio, and my fondest memory was the two of them reading the Bible together on Sunday mornings when we arrived for a visit.
Damiano was a migrant farmer in Italy, going from farm to farm, cutting wheat,tilling the soil by hand and transplanting fig trees, his specialty. He played the mandolin and read romantic novels to Elizabeth, acting out all the characters. He wrestled in the Greek or Roman style and also enjoyed boxing. Friends called on him to be a mediator when they had problems because he was known to be a fair and knowledgeable person.
Damiano owned an Ice and Coal business in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, N.Y. He sponsored others from his hometown and helped them establish ice and coal businesses.
He later worked as a night watchman at a hospital construction site.
Damiano sailed from Naples, Italy on the ship "Burgundia" and arrived in New York on May 1, 1899. His name is inscribed on the Ellis Island Wall of Honor, contributed by his son, Rocco D'Amato.
Dear Padon,
I give thanks
While there yet remains
the time for giving thanks-
That through you
I now live and know
The boundless joy
there is in living.
You left your native country
to start a new life,
And we, your descendants,
are humbly grateful.
I carry your genes and heritage proudly.
Your loving granddaughter,
Geri D'Amato Olbermann
He served in the Italian Army as an aide to a General who taught him how to read after Damiano returned with a day old newspaper. The General was angry and said, "Can't you read? Damiano answered, "No, sir." The General softened his voice and said, "Would you like to learn?" "Yes, Sir" was his reply. The General took time out each day to teach him to read.
Damiano married 1. Elizabeth Rosato approx. 1888 and they had 3 children, all named Gerardo, who did not survive. Living sons were: Rocco, Gerald, Anthony, Constantine (Cus), and Nicholas.
Elizabeth died at the age of 38 and he remarried, second wife unknown. His 3rd wife was Marguerite Borio, and my fondest memory was the two of them reading the Bible together on Sunday mornings when we arrived for a visit.
Damiano was a migrant farmer in Italy, going from farm to farm, cutting wheat,tilling the soil by hand and transplanting fig trees, his specialty. He played the mandolin and read romantic novels to Elizabeth, acting out all the characters. He wrestled in the Greek or Roman style and also enjoyed boxing. Friends called on him to be a mediator when they had problems because he was known to be a fair and knowledgeable person.
Damiano owned an Ice and Coal business in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, N.Y. He sponsored others from his hometown and helped them establish ice and coal businesses.
He later worked as a night watchman at a hospital construction site.
Damiano sailed from Naples, Italy on the ship "Burgundia" and arrived in New York on May 1, 1899. His name is inscribed on the Ellis Island Wall of Honor, contributed by his son, Rocco D'Amato.
Dear Padon,
I give thanks
While there yet remains
the time for giving thanks-
That through you
I now live and know
The boundless joy
there is in living.
You left your native country
to start a new life,
And we, your descendants,
are humbly grateful.
I carry your genes and heritage proudly.
Your loving granddaughter,
Geri D'Amato Olbermann
Damiano D'Amato was born in Toritto de Bari, Puglia, Italy, son of Rocco and Antoinette Spana D'Amato, who moved from Grumo Appula just prior to Damiano's birth.
He served in the Italian Army as an aide to a General who taught him how to read after Damiano returned with a day old newspaper. The General was angry and said, "Can't you read? Damiano answered, "No, sir." The General softened his voice and said, "Would you like to learn?" "Yes, Sir" was his reply. The General took time out each day to teach him to read.
Damiano married 1. Elizabeth Rosato approx. 1888 and they had 3 children, all named Gerardo, who did not survive. Living sons were: Rocco, Gerald, Anthony, Constantine (Cus), and Nicholas.
Elizabeth died at the age of 38 and he remarried, second wife unknown. His 3rd wife was Marguerite Borio, and my fondest memory was the two of them reading the Bible together on Sunday mornings when we arrived for a visit.
Damiano was a migrant farmer in Italy, going from farm to farm, cutting wheat,tilling the soil by hand and transplanting fig trees, his specialty. He played the mandolin and read romantic novels to Elizabeth, acting out all the characters. He wrestled in the Greek or Roman style and also enjoyed boxing. Friends called on him to be a mediator when they had problems because he was known to be a fair and knowledgeable person.
Damiano owned an Ice and Coal business in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, N.Y. He sponsored others from his hometown and helped them establish ice and coal businesses.
He later worked as a night watchman at a hospital construction site.
Damiano sailed from Naples, Italy on the ship "Burgundia" and arrived in New York on May 1, 1899. His name is inscribed on the Ellis Island Wall of Honor, contributed by his son, Rocco D'Amato.
Dear Padon,
I give thanks
While there yet remains
the time for giving thanks-
That through you
I now live and know
The boundless joy
there is in living.
You left your native country
to start a new life,
And we, your descendants,
are humbly grateful.
I carry your genes and heritage proudly.
Your loving granddaughter,
Geri D'Amato Olbermann
He served in the Italian Army as an aide to a General who taught him how to read after Damiano returned with a day old newspaper. The General was angry and said, "Can't you read? Damiano answered, "No, sir." The General softened his voice and said, "Would you like to learn?" "Yes, Sir" was his reply. The General took time out each day to teach him to read.
Damiano married 1. Elizabeth Rosato approx. 1888 and they had 3 children, all named Gerardo, who did not survive. Living sons were: Rocco, Gerald, Anthony, Constantine (Cus), and Nicholas.
Elizabeth died at the age of 38 and he remarried, second wife unknown. His 3rd wife was Marguerite Borio, and my fondest memory was the two of them reading the Bible together on Sunday mornings when we arrived for a visit.
Damiano was a migrant farmer in Italy, going from farm to farm, cutting wheat,tilling the soil by hand and transplanting fig trees, his specialty. He played the mandolin and read romantic novels to Elizabeth, acting out all the characters. He wrestled in the Greek or Roman style and also enjoyed boxing. Friends called on him to be a mediator when they had problems because he was known to be a fair and knowledgeable person.
Damiano owned an Ice and Coal business in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, N.Y. He sponsored others from his hometown and helped them establish ice and coal businesses.
He later worked as a night watchman at a hospital construction site.
Damiano sailed from Naples, Italy on the ship "Burgundia" and arrived in New York on May 1, 1899. His name is inscribed on the Ellis Island Wall of Honor, contributed by his son, Rocco D'Amato.
Dear Padon,
I give thanks
While there yet remains
the time for giving thanks-
That through you
I now live and know
The boundless joy
there is in living.
You left your native country
to start a new life,
And we, your descendants,
are humbly grateful.
I carry your genes and heritage proudly.
Your loving granddaughter,
Geri D'Amato Olbermann
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