Edward Paul Canapary was born in 1895 in Brooklyn, New York. He was one of seven children who survived and two who died at birth. He had five brothers and one sister: John, Herbert, Joe, Frank, Leon, and Kathleen (always known as Girley). His Father’s name was William and his Mother’s name was Ellen Carton. His Father was of Spanish (Basque), Irish and Scot background. His Mother was of Irish and English background.
He went to a remote High School in Brooklyn in order to study Spanish. To get there, he has to take three different buses and trolley cars. Upon completion of High School, his Father sent him to Havana to live in a Spanish boarding house in order to perfect his Spanish, which he would need very much because his father was an exporter of furnishings to Latin America.
For a while, he worked in the rug department of Arnold Constable. Following that he went into business with his father and shortly thereafter, he was sent back to Cuba as a salesman.
In addition to travelling throughout Cuba, he also sold his father’s merchandise throughout the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Business was going so well that the family established a permanent outlet for their wares in the center of Cuba at a port town called Caribbean. At the same time the family purchased another manufacturing business in New York on the Bowery. This business manufactured picture frames, mirrors and other furnishings. It was headed up by Jack Canapary, one of his brothers. Jack would manufacture the goods, William the father would ship them to Cuba and Ed would sell them. In addition, Ed would arrange for mahogany and Cider trees to be cut down in Cuba. The timber would be shipped to New York where jack would use it to make furniture. The finished furniture would then be sent to Cuba. The items Ed was selling were expensive and the market was limited to the wealthier families in Cuba.
Ed traveled back and forth to the United States quite frequently. He married Alice Brennan on one of these trips. They were married in Saint Stevens Church in Brooklyn. Alice wanted to return to New York for the birth of her first child but found herself unable to get to Havana. Ed was able to arrange passage New York on a banana boat. Alice had the child in Brooklyn. They called her Alice. After a suitable time, the Doctors approved their going back to Cuba. While in Cuba, they were liked by the Cubans and enjoyed the tropical climate.
The depression hit Cuba before it hit the United States. In 1927-28. Since sugar was Cuba’s main crop, the economy in Cuba and most of the Caribbean islands also collapsed. The market for the Canapary’s goods in Cuba dried up and it was necessary for the Family to close their Cuban operation. Ed, Alice and little Alice returned to New York. At first, they lived with Ed’s parents in Bay Ridge but then rented an apartment in Park Slope. Their second Child Edith was born in 1928.
The depression of ’29 caused closure of the furniture operation. Ed then joined his bother in law Alberto Pinera in business. The firm which Albert had started was called the Continental Export Company, and exported to Cuba, Argentina and Columbia. A major source of their business revenues came from Argentina. The firm held worldwide distribution rights for Quebracha. At that time Quebracha was considered the best method for tanning leather.
In 1932, Ed and Alice had twin boys. They called them Edward and Herbert.
President Peron of Argentina saw the potential for Quebracha so he nationalized the business. As a result The Continental Export Company had to reduce the size of their business. They then concentrated on the Cuban market which had revive Later in the late50’s when Castro took over Cuba, Alberto and Ed had to reduce their business further. Ed worked most of his life with Alberto.
Ed was a very good looking and kind man. When he was in Boys High in Brooklyn, the principal told his mother that he was one of the smartest boys ever to attend the school. He didn’t go to college because his father brought him into the family business and eventually sent him to Cuba. He was very close to his family. He was an excellent piano player. He would play on Sunday afternoons for three or four hours. One of his favorite pieces was The Flight of the Bumble Bee.
Write-up by Herbert Canapary FAG Member
He went to a remote High School in Brooklyn in order to study Spanish. To get there, he has to take three different buses and trolley cars. Upon completion of High School, his Father sent him to Havana to live in a Spanish boarding house in order to perfect his Spanish, which he would need very much because his father was an exporter of furnishings to Latin America.
For a while, he worked in the rug department of Arnold Constable. Following that he went into business with his father and shortly thereafter, he was sent back to Cuba as a salesman.
In addition to travelling throughout Cuba, he also sold his father’s merchandise throughout the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Business was going so well that the family established a permanent outlet for their wares in the center of Cuba at a port town called Caribbean. At the same time the family purchased another manufacturing business in New York on the Bowery. This business manufactured picture frames, mirrors and other furnishings. It was headed up by Jack Canapary, one of his brothers. Jack would manufacture the goods, William the father would ship them to Cuba and Ed would sell them. In addition, Ed would arrange for mahogany and Cider trees to be cut down in Cuba. The timber would be shipped to New York where jack would use it to make furniture. The finished furniture would then be sent to Cuba. The items Ed was selling were expensive and the market was limited to the wealthier families in Cuba.
Ed traveled back and forth to the United States quite frequently. He married Alice Brennan on one of these trips. They were married in Saint Stevens Church in Brooklyn. Alice wanted to return to New York for the birth of her first child but found herself unable to get to Havana. Ed was able to arrange passage New York on a banana boat. Alice had the child in Brooklyn. They called her Alice. After a suitable time, the Doctors approved their going back to Cuba. While in Cuba, they were liked by the Cubans and enjoyed the tropical climate.
The depression hit Cuba before it hit the United States. In 1927-28. Since sugar was Cuba’s main crop, the economy in Cuba and most of the Caribbean islands also collapsed. The market for the Canapary’s goods in Cuba dried up and it was necessary for the Family to close their Cuban operation. Ed, Alice and little Alice returned to New York. At first, they lived with Ed’s parents in Bay Ridge but then rented an apartment in Park Slope. Their second Child Edith was born in 1928.
The depression of ’29 caused closure of the furniture operation. Ed then joined his bother in law Alberto Pinera in business. The firm which Albert had started was called the Continental Export Company, and exported to Cuba, Argentina and Columbia. A major source of their business revenues came from Argentina. The firm held worldwide distribution rights for Quebracha. At that time Quebracha was considered the best method for tanning leather.
In 1932, Ed and Alice had twin boys. They called them Edward and Herbert.
President Peron of Argentina saw the potential for Quebracha so he nationalized the business. As a result The Continental Export Company had to reduce the size of their business. They then concentrated on the Cuban market which had revive Later in the late50’s when Castro took over Cuba, Alberto and Ed had to reduce their business further. Ed worked most of his life with Alberto.
Ed was a very good looking and kind man. When he was in Boys High in Brooklyn, the principal told his mother that he was one of the smartest boys ever to attend the school. He didn’t go to college because his father brought him into the family business and eventually sent him to Cuba. He was very close to his family. He was an excellent piano player. He would play on Sunday afternoons for three or four hours. One of his favorite pieces was The Flight of the Bumble Bee.
Write-up by Herbert Canapary FAG Member
Edward Paul Canapary was born in 1895 in Brooklyn, New York. He was one of seven children who survived and two who died at birth. He had five brothers and one sister: John, Herbert, Joe, Frank, Leon, and Kathleen (always known as Girley). His Father’s name was William and his Mother’s name was Ellen Carton. His Father was of Spanish (Basque), Irish and Scot background. His Mother was of Irish and English background.
He went to a remote High School in Brooklyn in order to study Spanish. To get there, he has to take three different buses and trolley cars. Upon completion of High School, his Father sent him to Havana to live in a Spanish boarding house in order to perfect his Spanish, which he would need very much because his father was an exporter of furnishings to Latin America.
For a while, he worked in the rug department of Arnold Constable. Following that he went into business with his father and shortly thereafter, he was sent back to Cuba as a salesman.
In addition to travelling throughout Cuba, he also sold his father’s merchandise throughout the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Business was going so well that the family established a permanent outlet for their wares in the center of Cuba at a port town called Caribbean. At the same time the family purchased another manufacturing business in New York on the Bowery. This business manufactured picture frames, mirrors and other furnishings. It was headed up by Jack Canapary, one of his brothers. Jack would manufacture the goods, William the father would ship them to Cuba and Ed would sell them. In addition, Ed would arrange for mahogany and Cider trees to be cut down in Cuba. The timber would be shipped to New York where jack would use it to make furniture. The finished furniture would then be sent to Cuba. The items Ed was selling were expensive and the market was limited to the wealthier families in Cuba.
Ed traveled back and forth to the United States quite frequently. He married Alice Brennan on one of these trips. They were married in Saint Stevens Church in Brooklyn. Alice wanted to return to New York for the birth of her first child but found herself unable to get to Havana. Ed was able to arrange passage New York on a banana boat. Alice had the child in Brooklyn. They called her Alice. After a suitable time, the Doctors approved their going back to Cuba. While in Cuba, they were liked by the Cubans and enjoyed the tropical climate.
The depression hit Cuba before it hit the United States. In 1927-28. Since sugar was Cuba’s main crop, the economy in Cuba and most of the Caribbean islands also collapsed. The market for the Canapary’s goods in Cuba dried up and it was necessary for the Family to close their Cuban operation. Ed, Alice and little Alice returned to New York. At first, they lived with Ed’s parents in Bay Ridge but then rented an apartment in Park Slope. Their second Child Edith was born in 1928.
The depression of ’29 caused closure of the furniture operation. Ed then joined his bother in law Alberto Pinera in business. The firm which Albert had started was called the Continental Export Company, and exported to Cuba, Argentina and Columbia. A major source of their business revenues came from Argentina. The firm held worldwide distribution rights for Quebracha. At that time Quebracha was considered the best method for tanning leather.
In 1932, Ed and Alice had twin boys. They called them Edward and Herbert.
President Peron of Argentina saw the potential for Quebracha so he nationalized the business. As a result The Continental Export Company had to reduce the size of their business. They then concentrated on the Cuban market which had revive Later in the late50’s when Castro took over Cuba, Alberto and Ed had to reduce their business further. Ed worked most of his life with Alberto.
Ed was a very good looking and kind man. When he was in Boys High in Brooklyn, the principal told his mother that he was one of the smartest boys ever to attend the school. He didn’t go to college because his father brought him into the family business and eventually sent him to Cuba. He was very close to his family. He was an excellent piano player. He would play on Sunday afternoons for three or four hours. One of his favorite pieces was The Flight of the Bumble Bee.
Write-up by Herbert Canapary FAG Member
He went to a remote High School in Brooklyn in order to study Spanish. To get there, he has to take three different buses and trolley cars. Upon completion of High School, his Father sent him to Havana to live in a Spanish boarding house in order to perfect his Spanish, which he would need very much because his father was an exporter of furnishings to Latin America.
For a while, he worked in the rug department of Arnold Constable. Following that he went into business with his father and shortly thereafter, he was sent back to Cuba as a salesman.
In addition to travelling throughout Cuba, he also sold his father’s merchandise throughout the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Business was going so well that the family established a permanent outlet for their wares in the center of Cuba at a port town called Caribbean. At the same time the family purchased another manufacturing business in New York on the Bowery. This business manufactured picture frames, mirrors and other furnishings. It was headed up by Jack Canapary, one of his brothers. Jack would manufacture the goods, William the father would ship them to Cuba and Ed would sell them. In addition, Ed would arrange for mahogany and Cider trees to be cut down in Cuba. The timber would be shipped to New York where jack would use it to make furniture. The finished furniture would then be sent to Cuba. The items Ed was selling were expensive and the market was limited to the wealthier families in Cuba.
Ed traveled back and forth to the United States quite frequently. He married Alice Brennan on one of these trips. They were married in Saint Stevens Church in Brooklyn. Alice wanted to return to New York for the birth of her first child but found herself unable to get to Havana. Ed was able to arrange passage New York on a banana boat. Alice had the child in Brooklyn. They called her Alice. After a suitable time, the Doctors approved their going back to Cuba. While in Cuba, they were liked by the Cubans and enjoyed the tropical climate.
The depression hit Cuba before it hit the United States. In 1927-28. Since sugar was Cuba’s main crop, the economy in Cuba and most of the Caribbean islands also collapsed. The market for the Canapary’s goods in Cuba dried up and it was necessary for the Family to close their Cuban operation. Ed, Alice and little Alice returned to New York. At first, they lived with Ed’s parents in Bay Ridge but then rented an apartment in Park Slope. Their second Child Edith was born in 1928.
The depression of ’29 caused closure of the furniture operation. Ed then joined his bother in law Alberto Pinera in business. The firm which Albert had started was called the Continental Export Company, and exported to Cuba, Argentina and Columbia. A major source of their business revenues came from Argentina. The firm held worldwide distribution rights for Quebracha. At that time Quebracha was considered the best method for tanning leather.
In 1932, Ed and Alice had twin boys. They called them Edward and Herbert.
President Peron of Argentina saw the potential for Quebracha so he nationalized the business. As a result The Continental Export Company had to reduce the size of their business. They then concentrated on the Cuban market which had revive Later in the late50’s when Castro took over Cuba, Alberto and Ed had to reduce their business further. Ed worked most of his life with Alberto.
Ed was a very good looking and kind man. When he was in Boys High in Brooklyn, the principal told his mother that he was one of the smartest boys ever to attend the school. He didn’t go to college because his father brought him into the family business and eventually sent him to Cuba. He was very close to his family. He was an excellent piano player. He would play on Sunday afternoons for three or four hours. One of his favorite pieces was The Flight of the Bumble Bee.
Write-up by Herbert Canapary FAG Member
Family Members
Siblings
