FRANK ALBANESE – MR. FIREWORKS
If you grew up in southern West Virginia and enjoyed the fireworks in Beckley, thank an immigrant. Starting in about 1936, Frank Albanese sponsored and promoted fireworks displays on V-J Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Frank Albanese was born on September 11 in the Province of Bari, Italy. His birth year varies with the source: his tombstone has 1886, the Social Security Death Index has 1887 and the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, has 1888. The marriage record when he married his second wife lists John and Mary Albanese as his parents.
He “came to the United States in the steerage section of a ship, the passage paid with $65 his father had borrowed for him.” (“Appreciation Banquet To Honor Ten Area Residents,” Post-Herald/Raleigh Register, Beckley, W.Va., Sept. 9, 1973, Page 12.)
The 1920 and 1930 U.S. Census list his immigration year as 1912.“He couldn’t speak a word of English but he somehow got on the right train in New York and landed in Bluefield in 1910. There he was met by an Italian who took him to Bossevain, Va. [Tazewell County] where a brother-in-law lived.
“Albanese got his first job in America in the mines there, loading five-ton cars of coal at 65 cents a car. Later he went to Jenkinjones [McDowell County, W.Va.] and continued as a coal loader.
“Frank was getting along all right, had sent money back to Italy to bring his wife to this country and also repaid the borrowed money he obtained for passage here and saved a neat little nest-egg. Then a real-estate agent for Lilly Land Co. went to Jenkinjones, interviewed Albanese – who had learned the English language – sold him a lot in Beckley – and thereby changed the course of his life.”
When he and his wife Marie Scarfina Albanese came to Beckley in 1918, Mr. Albanese said, “I had my household goods, one horse and three cows. Then I built my own house on my lot on Clyde Street. Next thing I did was swap my horse for two horses and pay some extra money. I got a wagon, too, and looked for a job hauling things. I was through in the mines.” (“Builders of Beckley: Frank Albanese’s Patriotism Sets Example For Native-Born,” Raleigh Register, Beckley, March 28, 1960, Page 10.)
“This man literally helped build Beckley. For several years after moving here in 1918, he worked hauling stone for the various buildings going up. He hauled materials that built the Beckley High School, the Reeves School, Kings Daughters Hospital, now the Raleigh General, and the Beckley Hospital.
“In 1929 he bought a building at 108 Heber St. which he still occupies, carrying on a store and restaurant business. The American flag has been displayed at the Albanese place on every national holiday for the past 38 years.“Sometimes Albanese causes native-born Americans to ask questions as to why the flag should be out. And maybe he made some feel a little ashamed.
“His fireworks are another outstemming of his love of country. He learned the usage of fireworks while a small boy in Italy.
“The patriotism and the hometown loyalty of Frank Albanese are evident when his flag whips proudly in the breeze at his little store and when his fireworks explode into red, white and blue above a crowd.” (Annual Fireworks Display Fund Lagging, Aug. 12, 1967, Register/Post-Herald, Beckley, W.Va., Page 14.)
He became a U.S. citizen in 1928. (Petition Records, 1927-1929, v. 5, FHL Film Number: 1738218)
In 1960 he said, “I’ve never been back to Italy…after my father and mother died I have not had any desire to go back. Beckley and the United States are the finest places on earth. They’ve been good to me.” (“Builders of Beckley: Frank Albanese’s Patriotism…”)
In 1973, he was presented with a plaque from U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd at the fruit stand Mr. Albanese had operated for 47 years on Heber Street in Beckley. “The Senator described the 85-year-old former coal miner-stone hauler, who came to this country from his native Italy 65 years ago, as a ‘public spirited citizen whose consistent patriotism and love of country epitomize the old-fashioned values that made our nation great.” Sen. Byrd said it was only the third such plaque that he had presented. The news article mentioned Mr. Albanese’s “elaborate fireworks displays.” (“Albanese Honored For Patriotism,” Post-Herald/Register, May 27, 1973, Page 12.)
Mrs. Albanese, born on Feb. 5, 1880, in Italy, died on Jan. 13, 1949, in Beckley. (West Virginia Vital Research Records online, obituary and Find A Grave Memorial# 102511129.) Her obituary lists three sons and a daughter.
After Marie’s death, Mr. Albanese married Angeline Fares, daughter of Alfonso and Rosie Gilletto. (West Virginia Vital Research Records, http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcdetail.aspx?Id=11520525)
Frank, Marie and Angeline (Find A Grave Memorial# 112431138) are buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.
(Research by Eva Smith-Carroll, West Virginia Memories.)
If you grew up in southern West Virginia and enjoyed the fireworks in Beckley, thank an immigrant. Starting in about 1936, Frank Albanese sponsored and promoted fireworks displays on V-J Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Frank Albanese was born on September 11 in the Province of Bari, Italy. His birth year varies with the source: his tombstone has 1886, the Social Security Death Index has 1887 and the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, has 1888. The marriage record when he married his second wife lists John and Mary Albanese as his parents.
He “came to the United States in the steerage section of a ship, the passage paid with $65 his father had borrowed for him.” (“Appreciation Banquet To Honor Ten Area Residents,” Post-Herald/Raleigh Register, Beckley, W.Va., Sept. 9, 1973, Page 12.)
The 1920 and 1930 U.S. Census list his immigration year as 1912.“He couldn’t speak a word of English but he somehow got on the right train in New York and landed in Bluefield in 1910. There he was met by an Italian who took him to Bossevain, Va. [Tazewell County] where a brother-in-law lived.
“Albanese got his first job in America in the mines there, loading five-ton cars of coal at 65 cents a car. Later he went to Jenkinjones [McDowell County, W.Va.] and continued as a coal loader.
“Frank was getting along all right, had sent money back to Italy to bring his wife to this country and also repaid the borrowed money he obtained for passage here and saved a neat little nest-egg. Then a real-estate agent for Lilly Land Co. went to Jenkinjones, interviewed Albanese – who had learned the English language – sold him a lot in Beckley – and thereby changed the course of his life.”
When he and his wife Marie Scarfina Albanese came to Beckley in 1918, Mr. Albanese said, “I had my household goods, one horse and three cows. Then I built my own house on my lot on Clyde Street. Next thing I did was swap my horse for two horses and pay some extra money. I got a wagon, too, and looked for a job hauling things. I was through in the mines.” (“Builders of Beckley: Frank Albanese’s Patriotism Sets Example For Native-Born,” Raleigh Register, Beckley, March 28, 1960, Page 10.)
“This man literally helped build Beckley. For several years after moving here in 1918, he worked hauling stone for the various buildings going up. He hauled materials that built the Beckley High School, the Reeves School, Kings Daughters Hospital, now the Raleigh General, and the Beckley Hospital.
“In 1929 he bought a building at 108 Heber St. which he still occupies, carrying on a store and restaurant business. The American flag has been displayed at the Albanese place on every national holiday for the past 38 years.“Sometimes Albanese causes native-born Americans to ask questions as to why the flag should be out. And maybe he made some feel a little ashamed.
“His fireworks are another outstemming of his love of country. He learned the usage of fireworks while a small boy in Italy.
“The patriotism and the hometown loyalty of Frank Albanese are evident when his flag whips proudly in the breeze at his little store and when his fireworks explode into red, white and blue above a crowd.” (Annual Fireworks Display Fund Lagging, Aug. 12, 1967, Register/Post-Herald, Beckley, W.Va., Page 14.)
He became a U.S. citizen in 1928. (Petition Records, 1927-1929, v. 5, FHL Film Number: 1738218)
In 1960 he said, “I’ve never been back to Italy…after my father and mother died I have not had any desire to go back. Beckley and the United States are the finest places on earth. They’ve been good to me.” (“Builders of Beckley: Frank Albanese’s Patriotism…”)
In 1973, he was presented with a plaque from U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd at the fruit stand Mr. Albanese had operated for 47 years on Heber Street in Beckley. “The Senator described the 85-year-old former coal miner-stone hauler, who came to this country from his native Italy 65 years ago, as a ‘public spirited citizen whose consistent patriotism and love of country epitomize the old-fashioned values that made our nation great.” Sen. Byrd said it was only the third such plaque that he had presented. The news article mentioned Mr. Albanese’s “elaborate fireworks displays.” (“Albanese Honored For Patriotism,” Post-Herald/Register, May 27, 1973, Page 12.)
Mrs. Albanese, born on Feb. 5, 1880, in Italy, died on Jan. 13, 1949, in Beckley. (West Virginia Vital Research Records online, obituary and Find A Grave Memorial# 102511129.) Her obituary lists three sons and a daughter.
After Marie’s death, Mr. Albanese married Angeline Fares, daughter of Alfonso and Rosie Gilletto. (West Virginia Vital Research Records, http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcdetail.aspx?Id=11520525)
Frank, Marie and Angeline (Find A Grave Memorial# 112431138) are buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.
(Research by Eva Smith-Carroll, West Virginia Memories.)
FRANK ALBANESE – MR. FIREWORKS
If you grew up in southern West Virginia and enjoyed the fireworks in Beckley, thank an immigrant. Starting in about 1936, Frank Albanese sponsored and promoted fireworks displays on V-J Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Frank Albanese was born on September 11 in the Province of Bari, Italy. His birth year varies with the source: his tombstone has 1886, the Social Security Death Index has 1887 and the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, has 1888. The marriage record when he married his second wife lists John and Mary Albanese as his parents.
He “came to the United States in the steerage section of a ship, the passage paid with $65 his father had borrowed for him.” (“Appreciation Banquet To Honor Ten Area Residents,” Post-Herald/Raleigh Register, Beckley, W.Va., Sept. 9, 1973, Page 12.)
The 1920 and 1930 U.S. Census list his immigration year as 1912.“He couldn’t speak a word of English but he somehow got on the right train in New York and landed in Bluefield in 1910. There he was met by an Italian who took him to Bossevain, Va. [Tazewell County] where a brother-in-law lived.
“Albanese got his first job in America in the mines there, loading five-ton cars of coal at 65 cents a car. Later he went to Jenkinjones [McDowell County, W.Va.] and continued as a coal loader.
“Frank was getting along all right, had sent money back to Italy to bring his wife to this country and also repaid the borrowed money he obtained for passage here and saved a neat little nest-egg. Then a real-estate agent for Lilly Land Co. went to Jenkinjones, interviewed Albanese – who had learned the English language – sold him a lot in Beckley – and thereby changed the course of his life.”
When he and his wife Marie Scarfina Albanese came to Beckley in 1918, Mr. Albanese said, “I had my household goods, one horse and three cows. Then I built my own house on my lot on Clyde Street. Next thing I did was swap my horse for two horses and pay some extra money. I got a wagon, too, and looked for a job hauling things. I was through in the mines.” (“Builders of Beckley: Frank Albanese’s Patriotism Sets Example For Native-Born,” Raleigh Register, Beckley, March 28, 1960, Page 10.)
“This man literally helped build Beckley. For several years after moving here in 1918, he worked hauling stone for the various buildings going up. He hauled materials that built the Beckley High School, the Reeves School, Kings Daughters Hospital, now the Raleigh General, and the Beckley Hospital.
“In 1929 he bought a building at 108 Heber St. which he still occupies, carrying on a store and restaurant business. The American flag has been displayed at the Albanese place on every national holiday for the past 38 years.“Sometimes Albanese causes native-born Americans to ask questions as to why the flag should be out. And maybe he made some feel a little ashamed.
“His fireworks are another outstemming of his love of country. He learned the usage of fireworks while a small boy in Italy.
“The patriotism and the hometown loyalty of Frank Albanese are evident when his flag whips proudly in the breeze at his little store and when his fireworks explode into red, white and blue above a crowd.” (Annual Fireworks Display Fund Lagging, Aug. 12, 1967, Register/Post-Herald, Beckley, W.Va., Page 14.)
He became a U.S. citizen in 1928. (Petition Records, 1927-1929, v. 5, FHL Film Number: 1738218)
In 1960 he said, “I’ve never been back to Italy…after my father and mother died I have not had any desire to go back. Beckley and the United States are the finest places on earth. They’ve been good to me.” (“Builders of Beckley: Frank Albanese’s Patriotism…”)
In 1973, he was presented with a plaque from U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd at the fruit stand Mr. Albanese had operated for 47 years on Heber Street in Beckley. “The Senator described the 85-year-old former coal miner-stone hauler, who came to this country from his native Italy 65 years ago, as a ‘public spirited citizen whose consistent patriotism and love of country epitomize the old-fashioned values that made our nation great.” Sen. Byrd said it was only the third such plaque that he had presented. The news article mentioned Mr. Albanese’s “elaborate fireworks displays.” (“Albanese Honored For Patriotism,” Post-Herald/Register, May 27, 1973, Page 12.)
Mrs. Albanese, born on Feb. 5, 1880, in Italy, died on Jan. 13, 1949, in Beckley. (West Virginia Vital Research Records online, obituary and Find A Grave Memorial# 102511129.) Her obituary lists three sons and a daughter.
After Marie’s death, Mr. Albanese married Angeline Fares, daughter of Alfonso and Rosie Gilletto. (West Virginia Vital Research Records, http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcdetail.aspx?Id=11520525)
Frank, Marie and Angeline (Find A Grave Memorial# 112431138) are buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.
(Research by Eva Smith-Carroll, West Virginia Memories.)
If you grew up in southern West Virginia and enjoyed the fireworks in Beckley, thank an immigrant. Starting in about 1936, Frank Albanese sponsored and promoted fireworks displays on V-J Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Frank Albanese was born on September 11 in the Province of Bari, Italy. His birth year varies with the source: his tombstone has 1886, the Social Security Death Index has 1887 and the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, has 1888. The marriage record when he married his second wife lists John and Mary Albanese as his parents.
He “came to the United States in the steerage section of a ship, the passage paid with $65 his father had borrowed for him.” (“Appreciation Banquet To Honor Ten Area Residents,” Post-Herald/Raleigh Register, Beckley, W.Va., Sept. 9, 1973, Page 12.)
The 1920 and 1930 U.S. Census list his immigration year as 1912.“He couldn’t speak a word of English but he somehow got on the right train in New York and landed in Bluefield in 1910. There he was met by an Italian who took him to Bossevain, Va. [Tazewell County] where a brother-in-law lived.
“Albanese got his first job in America in the mines there, loading five-ton cars of coal at 65 cents a car. Later he went to Jenkinjones [McDowell County, W.Va.] and continued as a coal loader.
“Frank was getting along all right, had sent money back to Italy to bring his wife to this country and also repaid the borrowed money he obtained for passage here and saved a neat little nest-egg. Then a real-estate agent for Lilly Land Co. went to Jenkinjones, interviewed Albanese – who had learned the English language – sold him a lot in Beckley – and thereby changed the course of his life.”
When he and his wife Marie Scarfina Albanese came to Beckley in 1918, Mr. Albanese said, “I had my household goods, one horse and three cows. Then I built my own house on my lot on Clyde Street. Next thing I did was swap my horse for two horses and pay some extra money. I got a wagon, too, and looked for a job hauling things. I was through in the mines.” (“Builders of Beckley: Frank Albanese’s Patriotism Sets Example For Native-Born,” Raleigh Register, Beckley, March 28, 1960, Page 10.)
“This man literally helped build Beckley. For several years after moving here in 1918, he worked hauling stone for the various buildings going up. He hauled materials that built the Beckley High School, the Reeves School, Kings Daughters Hospital, now the Raleigh General, and the Beckley Hospital.
“In 1929 he bought a building at 108 Heber St. which he still occupies, carrying on a store and restaurant business. The American flag has been displayed at the Albanese place on every national holiday for the past 38 years.“Sometimes Albanese causes native-born Americans to ask questions as to why the flag should be out. And maybe he made some feel a little ashamed.
“His fireworks are another outstemming of his love of country. He learned the usage of fireworks while a small boy in Italy.
“The patriotism and the hometown loyalty of Frank Albanese are evident when his flag whips proudly in the breeze at his little store and when his fireworks explode into red, white and blue above a crowd.” (Annual Fireworks Display Fund Lagging, Aug. 12, 1967, Register/Post-Herald, Beckley, W.Va., Page 14.)
He became a U.S. citizen in 1928. (Petition Records, 1927-1929, v. 5, FHL Film Number: 1738218)
In 1960 he said, “I’ve never been back to Italy…after my father and mother died I have not had any desire to go back. Beckley and the United States are the finest places on earth. They’ve been good to me.” (“Builders of Beckley: Frank Albanese’s Patriotism…”)
In 1973, he was presented with a plaque from U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd at the fruit stand Mr. Albanese had operated for 47 years on Heber Street in Beckley. “The Senator described the 85-year-old former coal miner-stone hauler, who came to this country from his native Italy 65 years ago, as a ‘public spirited citizen whose consistent patriotism and love of country epitomize the old-fashioned values that made our nation great.” Sen. Byrd said it was only the third such plaque that he had presented. The news article mentioned Mr. Albanese’s “elaborate fireworks displays.” (“Albanese Honored For Patriotism,” Post-Herald/Register, May 27, 1973, Page 12.)
Mrs. Albanese, born on Feb. 5, 1880, in Italy, died on Jan. 13, 1949, in Beckley. (West Virginia Vital Research Records online, obituary and Find A Grave Memorial# 102511129.) Her obituary lists three sons and a daughter.
After Marie’s death, Mr. Albanese married Angeline Fares, daughter of Alfonso and Rosie Gilletto. (West Virginia Vital Research Records, http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcdetail.aspx?Id=11520525)
Frank, Marie and Angeline (Find A Grave Memorial# 112431138) are buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.
(Research by Eva Smith-Carroll, West Virginia Memories.)
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