Italian Families-Bass, Bertucci, Capuano, Corso, Fallo, Mattina, Martino, Taranto, Terretta, Tedesco, Uchello

 THE ITALIANS of ST. MARTIN

Between 1902 and 1905, several related families of Italian origin settled in the St. Martin community north of Biloxi, Mississippi.  They were the Terrettas, Lepomas, and Giamettas.  Initially they were truck farmers, but these Sicilians immigrants also worked in seafood and commerce.  Another Italian and the progenitor of the Lepre family of D' Iberville and the Mississippi coast, Captain Peter Lepre (1841-1916), immigrated to the United States circa 1853.  He married Celina Moran (c. 1845- 1870+), the daughter of Edouard Moran (c. 1812-1880+) and Celestine Ladner (c. 1816-1880+) in September 1869.  Peter Lepre immigrated from Palermo, Sicily and at the time of his demise resided on Fayard Street in Biloxi.           

TERRETTA

Frank Terretta (1870-1917) and his wife, Rosa Pria (1873-1945+), appear to have been the first of the 20th Century Italian expatriates to arrive at St. Martin, probably about 1902.  They immigrated to the United States in 1894, from Palermo, Sicily.  His brother, Alberto Nunzio Terretta (1868-1954), came to America in 1897.  Before coming to Jackson County, Mississippi  the Terretta brothers lived at Brooklyn, New York.  Their parents were Antonio Terretta (1837-1927) and Catherine Giaccona (1839-1930) who must have joined them in Jackson County after 1910.  

Frank Terretta and Rosa Pria had one adopted son, Anthony Terretta (1913-1996+), who was born in Louisiana.  Rosa  married Anthony Rodriguez (1855-1928) after her husband died in June 1917.  Tony Rodriguez had been wedded to Josephine Miller (1861-1914), the daughter of George Barney Miller (c. 1820-1860+) and Marie Delphine Bouzage (b. 1823-1860+).  Josephine was the mother of Amelia R. Fountain (1879-1949), Daniel Rodriguez (1885-1964), and Augustine R. Fountain (1887-1958).  Rosa Pria outlived several other husbands and died at Independence, Louisiana, after WW II.  Her remains were interred at Tangipahoa Parish.           

In July 1903, Frank Terretta bought five acres of land near Miguel Rodriguez and Eugene Bosarge in Section 15, T7S-R9W from Louis Raymond.  Anthony Lepoma (1866-1923) and Tony Terretta (1837-1927) were his partners.  Included in the land trade were Lots 5-7 of the Francis Fountain tract.(1)  Lepoma was residing at St. Charles Parish, Louisiana as late as April 1910, when Laz Lopez (1877-1918) acquired these tracts from them.           

Frank Terretta also purchased five acres of land from Samuel M. Tracy (1847-1920) on the east side of the old Martin Fountain tract in February 1910.(2)  He planted pecan trees here when a small nursery grown tree cost about seventy-five cents.  Later Peter Arnold bought the orchard and harvested 4,000 pounds of pecans.           

In July 1911, the Terretta brothers bought ten acres of forested land from Jacob Husley (1863-1948) along the west side of Reynoir Road (now Brittany).(3)  Anthony Lepoma (1866-1923) who was married to Maria Terretta (1883-1941), the sister of Frank and Nunzio Terretta, bought the west five acres of this tract in November 1915.  It fronted on Race Track Road.   

LEPOMA

Anthony Lepoma (1866-1923) was born at Naples, Italy.  In the old country, the Lepoma name may have been spelled Lipuma.  Immigrated to USA in 1890.  He met Maria Terretta (1883-1941), a Sicilian, in New York.  They resided in Michigan and Louisiana (LaPlace-Kenner area) where he worked in animal husbandry.  The Lepomas arrived at St. Martin circa 1911.  

In 1920, Tony Lepoma made his livelihood as a fisherman.  He and Mary had a very large family:  Ross Lepoma (1899-1963), Anthony Lepoma Jr. (1900-1926), Roy Lepoma (1905-1963+), Sam Lepoma, Joe Lepoma (1907-1957), Lee R. Lepoma (1909-1959), Jeanette L. Landry (1910-1978), Catherine L. Stiglets, Frances L. Monteleone, Katherine Lepoma Bellew (b. 1913), Josephine L. Vassalli (1915-1963+), Madeline L. Lanz (1917-1963+), James Lepoma (1920-1945), and Vincent Lepoma (1923-1975).  The Lepoma children were born at New York, Louisiana, and Mississippi.  Tony Lepoma Jr. (1900- 1926) operated a small store in the front yard of his home on the east side of Reynoir (Brittany). 

Mrs. Mary Terretta Lepoma commenced the St. Joseph altar in the St. Martin community.  This was a Sicilian custom, and an annual fete was held on March 19th to honor St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters.  During the Middle Ages, a drought and then famine brought the people of Sicily to their knees, praying to St. Joseph for relief.   St. Joseph had provided the Christ child bread, and they wanted him to do likewise for them.  If their prayers were answered, the suffering Sicilians promised to share food with the poor.  Their prayers were answered. 

The St. Joseph altar is built by the men.  The women prepare seafood, pasta, vegetables, sesame seed cookies, and fig cakes.  Italian bread is baked in the forms of crosses, St. Joseph's staff, and other symbols of this holy occasion.  The food, to be divided among those in need, is placed on the altar, which is decorated with flowers and candles.  The green fava bean is also served.  When dried, roasted, and blessed, it is transformed into the "lucky bean".  Tradition relates that you will never be broke as long as your person carries the lucky fava bean! 

After Mrs. Lepoma passed on, her daughter, Catherine Stiglets, continued the tradition at her home.  Today, Mrs. Lepoma's granddaughter, Janice L. Fountain, and her sister-in-law, Jackie Landry, prepare the St. Joseph's altar at the Lee Landry home in the St. Martin community. 

Alberto Nunzio Terretta (1868-1954) was married to Maria Gagliano (1868-1954), also a native of Italy.  Their three children, Catherine T. Galiano (1900-c. 1975), Lucy T. Cannette (1903-1973), and Anthony Joseph Terretta (1907-2005), were born at Brooklyn, New York.  At Brooklyn, Nunzio Terretta made his livelihood cleaning ships' boilers.  He became dissatisfied with the work there and came South to New Orleans.  

Anthony J. Terretta (1907-2005)

The oldest child, Catherine Terretta, married Joseph Galiano who resided in the Vieux Carre and sold produce at the French Market.  Lucy Terretta married Julius Cannette (1897-1983), and they resided at St. Martin.  Anthony Joseph Terretta was married to Mona Louise Khayat (1909-1973) of Biloxi.  Mona was the daughter of Assad A. Khayat (1875-1929) and Mona Butrous (1878-1922), both Syrian immigrants.  Mona was the sister of Eddie Khayat (1911-1993) who served on the Jackson County Board of Supervisors for thirty-two years.  After her demise, Anthony wedded the widow, Lynn V. Mayo Carr (1919-2006), a native of Clarke County, Mississippi.  Mona went to Hollywood in the early 1930s and played minor roles in several motion pictures.  She was in 'The Lives of a Bengal Lancer' starring Gary Cooper in 1935.

Joseph Giametta (1857-1935)

Biloxi Cemetery-October 2012

GIAMETTA

Giuseppe (Joseph) Giametta (1857-1935) and Camella Terretta (1868-1944) arrived in the United States from Canada in 1915.  Mrs. Giametta was a twin sister to Nunzio Terretta.  The Giamettas had immigrated to Canada in 1895.  Their children, Anna Borne Giametta m.   Beaugez (1898-1986); Charles Giametta (1900-1970) m. Theresa DeCarlo (1901-1937); Catherine Giametta  m.       Dauro (1904-1970+); Pauline Giametta m.   Dauro (1906-1970+); and Josephine Giametta m. . Fountain (1907-1982), were born in Canada.  Joseph Giametta acquired a small tract of land on Race Track Road east of the Trochesset strip from Joseph Schmid in July 1915.           

Charles Giametta (1900-1970)

Biloxi Cemetery (October 2012)

In 1931, Charles Giametta bought a lot on the east side of his father's land adjacent to the Trochessets.  He was married Olena Cannette (1900-1920), who died of the pandemic Spanish influenza.  After her demise, Giametta wedded Theresa DeCarlo (1901-1937) of New Orleans who died in childbirth.  His last wife was Josephine Chiniche.  Giametta moved to Bay St. Louis circa 1945, where he worked for the L&N Railroad as a bridge tender.           

These Italians families worked very hard in their fields, which they had cleared of pine trees and stumps.  These sons of the Mediterranean fertilized with a mulch made from decaying shrimp hulls.  The hulls were obtained from the refuse piles at the seafood factories along the north shore of Back Bay at Biloxi.  They also used horse manure gathered at the stables in Biloxi, and the dried droppings of stock animals, which roamed the area.        

These immigrant farmers grew vegetables and fruit-sweet potatoes, beets, tomatoes, okra, peppers, okra, corn, shallots, garlic, beans, gourds, cantaloupes, figs, pumpkins, sugar cane, etc.  They bought some of their seeds from the Quave store on the west end.  In addition, they raised some livestock, particularly goats from whose rich milk they drank and made cheese.           

After the crop matured and was harvested, the Italian men loaded it in horse drawn wagons and headed south to Biloxi.  Here, they peddled their fresh organic produce along the city streets.  Sweet potatoes went for $1.00 per bushel basket and okra for a nickel a dozen.  The Terrettas didn't own a scale to weigh their green wares. 

It was common to see Mr. Nunzio Terretta, with his stripped umbrella, sitting high on the seat of his wagon crossing the old wooden Back Bay Bridge.  His son, Anthony Terretta, who was born in 1907, and presently resides at Pascagoula relates a story about his father and uncle, Joseph Giametta: The housewives of Biloxi called my father, Nunzio, "sweetie peppa".  He spoke broken English and would cry, "sweeta peppa", as his produce rig rolled through the dirt and shell roads of the working class neighborhoods of Biloxi.  His brother-in-law, Joseph Giametta, spoke very little English.  His produce wagon followed Terretta's.  When Nunzio would announce his presence to the neighborhood with his calling card, "sweeta peppa", Joe would follow with, "mea too ah". 

On his return to St. Martin, Nunzio Terretta would kindly stop and give grateful school children, who were heading home from their classes, a ride in his hopefully empty produce wagon. 

The Italian families were self reliant.  They baked their own bread, dried tomatoes to prepare tomato sauce, made pear and blackberry wine, and brewed a malt beer.  Occasionally, they would take the excursion train to New Orleans for indigenous provisions.  At the Quality Grocery store on Decatur Street, olive oil, dried figs, and five pound boxes of spaghetti were purchased.  Christmas was often celebrated with an undecorated pine tree.  Their children received apples and oranges as gifts.  In good times, a small wooden toy might appear under the tree.  Mrs. Terretta made small cakes in the shape of crabs and shrimp filled with figs.           

Some of the Italian women worked in the local seafood factories.  They would rise in the wee hours of the morning with the factory whistles blaring and walk miles from their homes on Race Track Road to their jobs on Back Bay.  Some worked at the Quave factory in North Biloxi. 

Descendants of all three families still reside in the St. Martin community with the Lepoma name being the most ubiquitous. 

REFERENCES: 

The Daily Herald, "Charles Giametta", May 23, 1970, p. 2.

The Daily Herald, "Former Biloxian in picture", March 2, 1935, p. 2.

The Times-Picayune, "St. Joseph's Celebration Has Roots in Sicilian Culture", March 9, 1986, p. 5.

Personal Communication:

Viola M. Batia-September 1996

Toney Terretta, St. Martin-September 1996

Anthony Terretta, Pascagoula-September 1996

Lynn Mayo Carr Terretta, Pascagoula-September 1996

Tony Lepoma-September 1996

Pauline Demetry-October 1996

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BASS-BASSO

Vincent Bass (1818-1915), was born at Trani on the Adriatic Sea.  Married Bridget Clancey (1832-1910) on May 5, 1871 in Harrison County, Mississippi.  Children: Francis Paul Bass (1863-1930) m. Rosa Dwyer; Irene Bass (1865-1941) m. Michael J. Banks (1859-1941); Eran Bass (1867-1902) m. Nixon; 

 

Francis P. Bass

Francis Paul Bass (1863-1930) married Rosa Dwyer.  Children: William Bass (1890-1956); Vincent Paul Bass (1891-1947); Agnes Adele Bass (1904-1977) m. Anthony Bernard Rousseau (1908-1951); Frank Paul Bass Jr. (1904-1977); 

 

REFERENCES:

The Biloxi Daily Herald, 'Local and Personal', January 30, 1900, p. 8.

The Biloxi Daily Herald, 'City News', February 28, 1900, p. 8.

The Daily Herald, 'Mrs. Bridget Bass', February 21, 1910.

The Daily Herald, 'Vincent Bass is claimed by death at ripe old age', August 20, 1915.

The Daily Herald, 'Man is crushed beneath wheels of fire engine-Tony Rousseau fatally injured en route to fire', March 14, 1951, p. 1.

The Daily Herald, 'Mrs. Agnes Rousseau', December 8, 1969, p. 2.

The Daily Picayune, 'A patient's leap', January 26, 1900, p. 10.

 

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CAPUANO 

Capuano Tomb 6th Addition-Biloxi Cemetery

Jennie Coci (1863-1941) was born at Travinia, Italy and came to America circa 1870, eventually settling at New Orleans. She married Luigi Capuano (1862-1908), also an Italian immigrant, at NOLA on December 28, 1902. They were the parents of three children: Corinne Capuano (1904-1962) m. Christopher A. Tucei (1894-1949); Francis Elizabeth Capuano (1905-1972) m. Sidney E. Manuel (1901-1962); and Philip J. Capuano (1906-1968) m. Bessie Toups (1907-2002).(1910 Orleans Parish, Lousiana Federal Census T624_521, p. 3B, ED 91)

In 1908, the Capuano family was domiciled at 3119 Tulane Avenue at the corner of Lopez Street. Here they operated a retail grocery store and saloon. After the demise of Luigi Capuano in early February 1908, the family fortunes declined rapidly. The acme of their misfortune was the destructive conflagration that occurred in June 1908. Adjacent to the Capuano businesses was a laundry run by Wah Kee, a Chinese.

The fire commenced here and jumped to the Capuano property and damaged the building and totally destroyed their stock and goods. Mrs. Capuano and her children narrowly escaped the burning structure. Their loss was estimated at $3600, but was partially insured.(The Daily Picayune, June 9, 1908, p. 5)

By late July 1908, Mrs. Capuano and her son applied for a judgement of bankruptcy in the U.S. District Court. Their liabilities were $6218 and assets $4900.(The Daily Picayune, July 26, 1908, p. 7)

In 1911, Mrs. Capuano relocated her family to Biloxi, Mississippi. She married Nicholas Martino (1860-1942), an Italian immigrant, widower, shoemaker. The Martino family lived and worked on Delauney Street in Biloxi.

CHILDREN

[Southern Memorial Park-Biloxi, Mississippi]

Philip J. Capuano

Philip Joseph Capuano (1906-1968) was born on September 26, 1906 at New Orleans, Louisiana.  He came to Biloxi in his youth and made his livelihood as proprietor and manager of a barbershop in downtown Biloxi.(The Daily Herald, February 21, 1968, p. 2)

Philip married Bessie Marie Toups (1907-2002), born May 29, 1907 at Westwego, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, in Harrison County, Mississippi on March 16, 1924.  Bessie Marie Toups was the daughter of Ellis Toups and Dorcina Foret.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 35, p. 557 and The Sun Herald, October 16, 2002, p. A6)

Philip and Bessie Marie Capuano resided at 530 Porter Avenue in Biloxi.  Here they reared their three children: Louis Ellis Capuano (1925-2005) m. Jeanette S. Cerinich (b. 1928); Philip J. Capuano Jr. (1928-2009) m. Victoria Ray; Doris Rita Capuano m. Christopher J. Lawrence and Fred L. Ison (1914-1999); and Joseph Capuano (1935-1935).(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 35, p. 557)

Philip J. Capuano was a member of the Italian-American Society and had been president at one time.  Philip was active in the Knights of Columbus, Alhambras, and the barber’s union.(The Daily Herald, February 21, 1968, p. 2)

Mr. Capuano was survived by his spouse; a daughter, Mrs. Fred Ison, at Stone Mountain, Georgia; two sons, Philip J. Capuano Jr. and Louis E. Capuano, both of Biloxi; a sister, Mrs. Frances Elizabeth Capuano Manuel (1905-1972), widow of Sydney E. Manuel (d. 1962), of Biloxi; and 13 grandchildren.  Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home of Biloxi directed the Capuano funeral.  A Mass was said for the repose of his soul at Nativity BVM Catholic Church with internment in the Biloxi Cemetery [sic].(The Daily Herald, February 21, 1968, p. 2 and February 23, 1968, p. 2)

CHILDREN

Louis E. Capuano

 

REFERENCES:

The Daily Herald, 'Mrs. Martino dies', July 28, 1941.

The Daily Herald, "N. Martino dies", January 5, 1942.

The Daily Herald. "Philip Capuano', February 21, 1968.

The Daily Herald. "Capuano rites', February 23, 1968.

The Daily Picayune, 'Capuano', February 9, 1908.

The Daily Picayune, 'No clue to origin of fire', June 9, 1908.

The Daily Picayune, 'Bankruptcy', July 26, 1908.

The Sun Herald, ‘Fred L. Ison’, November 1, 1999.

The Sun Herald, ‘Stephanie J. Capuano’, March 22, 2000.

The Sun Herald, ‘Bessie Capuano’, October 16, 2002.

The Sun Herald, ‘Louis E. Capuano Sr.’, January 16, 2005.

The Sun Herald, ‘Philip J. Capuano Jr.’, May 17, 2009.

 

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AUGUST CORSO FAMILY

August Corso (1873-1943) was born on April 24, 1873 at Taormina, Messina Province, Sicily. He arrived at New Orleans from Palermo, Sicily on May 15, 1889.  His known siblings that came from Sicily from Taormina are: Josephine Corso (1878-1961) m. John Fallo (1869-1952); Salvador Corso Sr. (18-1957) m. Ada Ford (1876-1956); and Corso m. Nancy Verges (1873-1900+).

August married Lena Runfalo (1877-1951). August and Lena left New Orleans after 1900 and settled at 510 Lameuse Street at Biloxi, Mississippi.  Here he made his livelihood as a wholesale produce merchant and retail merchant.  On April 11, 1916 at Biloxi, August Corso declared his intention to become an American citizen.  He was naturalied on June 21, 1919 at Biloxi, Mississippi.

Their children were: Salvadore J. Corso (1896-1952); Anna Corso (1897-1979); Francis Corso (1903-1994) m. Albert Pickard (1905-1979); Frank Corso (1905-1945); Joseph August Corso (1907-1954) m. Marjorie Kulivan (1913-1994); Anthony J. Corso (1910-1987) m. Helen Knox (1918-1972) .

Children

Salvadore J. Corso

 

 

Francis Corso

Francis Corso (1903-1994) was born August 14, 1903 at Biloxi, Mississippi.  She married Albert E. Pickard (1905-1979) on December 2, 1925 in Harrison County, Mississippi.  Children: Albert Francis Pickard m. Julia Maria Allen.[Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 37, p. 400)

Francis died on July 27, 1994.  She was preceded in death by her spouse, Albert E. Pickard, who passed on 1979.(The Sun Herald, July 28, 1994, p. A-2)

 

Frank Corso

 

Joseph A. Corso

Joseph August Corso (1907-1954)

 

 

Helen Knox Corso

Anthony J. Corso

REFERENCES:

The Daily Herald, “August Corso dies”, December 17, 1943.

The Sun Herald, “Marjorie Kulivan Corso”, July 6, 1994.

The Sun Herald, “Francis Corso Pickard”, July 28, 1994.

The Times-Picayune,“Corso”, July 4, 1954.

 

 

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Southern Memorial Park

FRANK P. CORSO FAMILY

Frank Paul Corso (1898-1986), a native of Trapani, Italy, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonardo Corso.  In 1908, he immigrated to America arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana.  Frank was naturalized at Biloxi, Mississippi on February 20, 1922 and received certificate No. 1511918.[Southern District Court-South Mississippi, Petition of Naturalization No. 289]

Mr. Corso was educated at New Orleans and Brookhaven, Mississippi.  He came to Biloxi in 1919 from Mobile, Alabama and began a wholesale cigar and tobacco business in 1924, starting with a small warehouse and one truck

Frank P. Corso married Pearl AgnesHarvey (1901-1989), a native of North Biloxi, Mississippi in Harrison County, Mississippi.

He was named Biloxi's Outstanding Citizen for 1956.(The Daily Herald, January 1, 1957, p. 1)

 

 

Linda Sue Thornton (1939-2014) and Jimmy Corso (1935-1990)

JAMES C. CORSO 

James C. 'Jimmy' Corso (1935-1990) was born at Biloxi, Mississippi to Frank Paul Corso (1898-1986), a native of Trapini, Italy and a 1908 immigrant to America who arrived a NOLA, and Pearl Harvey (1901-1989), a native of North Biloxi.

Mr. Corso was the president of Frank P. Corso, Inc., a local vending company, which he had been employed by for more than thirty-five years.  He attended Notre Dame High School and Spring Hill College [Mobile, Alabama], and the Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Jimmy was a member of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association and ruled the 1980 Carnival as King Iberville.  He was a member of the Biloxi Elks Lodge, the Biloxi Yacht Club, and Nativity B.V.M Catholic Church.

Jimmy Corso married Linda Sue Thornton (1939-2014) in Harrison County, Mississippi on November 18, 1961.  They were the parents of three children:  James C. Corso Jr. m. Joan Marie Knox; Victoria Faith Corso m. Michael Edward Hart; and Paulette Hope Corso m. Kevin Scott McQueen.(Harrison County, Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 120, p. 324)

James C. Corso was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Frank P. Corso Jr. (1931-1990).  He was survived by his spouse; three children; and two sisters; Bessie Marie Corso m. Mr. Caluda of NOLA and Elizabeth 'Liz' Ann Corso m. John  Schappert  Joachim Jr; and Stephen Blake Knox, a grandson.

Riemann Memorial Funeral Home of Biloxi directed Mr. Corso's funeral services which included a service at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Biloxi followed by internment in the Southern Memorial Park cemetery at Biloxi, Mississippi.

Linda Sue Thornton Corso died on January 4, 2014.

REFERENCES:

The Daily Herald, 'Lions' loving cup presented Frank P. Corso', January 1, 1957, p. 1.

The Daily Herald, 'Salvador Corso Sr.', May 24, 1957, p. 2.

The Sun Herald, 'President of Biloxi vending company dies in Pascagoula', February 25, 1990, p. B2.

 

 

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FALLO FAMILY

John Fallo and Josephine Corso

[Biloxi Cemetery- September 8, 2012]

John Fallo (1869-1952) was born in New Orleans to Joseph Fallo and Josephine  Fallo (1850-1917) , a native of Ustica, Italy.  He married Josephine Corso (1878-1961), a native of Taormina, Palermo Province, Sicily.  They moved to Biloxi, Mississippi circa 1905.  Children: Emile Fallo m. Angelina Diliberto; Salvadore Joseph Fallo (1902-1942);  Jacob J. 'Jake' Fallo (1906-1990) m. Eva Borries, Inez Ramsey (1908-1982), and Mary Price Pruett; Anthony J. Fallo (1907-1989) m. Ruth Wentzell (1909-1965) and Yvette Fountain Camp; John B. Fallo; and Dominic A. Fallo (1911-1996) m. Lucille Slay (1912-2005).

 

John 'Jack' A. Fallo John Anathonar Fallo (1928-2014) was born in Biloxi on February 9, 1928.   Jack went to be with the Lord on June 2, 2014. Jack and his wife started and ran the family business, Fallo's Dry Cleaners, in Ocean Springs for 55 years. Jack was a wonderful husband to Paula Fallo, married for 64 years, and a supportive father to sons Mike and Jeff. Family and friends were his highest priority.  In addition to his family, Jack also enjoyed socializing with friends over coffee. He had strong religious convictions, and was a member of Saint Francis Xavier Seelos Catholic Church in Biloxi. Paula Baudry Fallo Jack was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Paula Baudry Fallo (1929-2013), and their son, Michael T. Fallo. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey C. Fallo, Sr. and his wife Karen of Vancleave. Jack leaves six grandchildren including JC Fallo and his girlfriend Lizz Chambers of Ocean Springs; Michelle Rene Fallo Gibson and her husband Chuck of Wichita, KS; Brandy Fallo Cunha and her husband John of Saucier; Jeffrey Fallo, Jr. serving in the U.S. Navy; Brittany Fallo and her boyfriend Kyle Nelson of Vancleave; and Kolby Fallo of Vancleave; in addition to great grandson Eric of Wichita; step-great-granddaughter Jackie Cunha of Saucier; and many nieces and nephews. The Fallo family would like to thank everyone for your prayers, thoughts, and well wishes.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Saint Francis Xavier Seelos Catholic Church in Biloxi. Friends may visit 9am until 10am. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

REFERENCES:

The Daily Herald, "Mrs. [Josephine Fallo] Esposito is claimed by death", June 18, 1917.

The Daily Herald, 'Salvador Corso Sr.', May 24, 1957, p. 2.

The Sun Herald, 'Paula Fallo', February 18, 2013.

The Sun Herald, 'Jack Anthonar Fallo', June 5, 2014.

The Sun Herald, 'Businessman [Jack A. Fallo] was jazz drummer on weekends', June 7, 2014. ____________________________________________________________________________________________

MARTINO

 

 

 

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MATTINA

BARTLO MATTINA

 

Bartlo Mattina (1858-1943) was born in Italy.  He married Catherine Vergets (1865-1920).

 

REFERENCES:

The Daily Herald, "Bartlo Mattina dies", January 3, 1942, p. 2.

 

 

 

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RANDAZZO

 

 

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RUNFALO

 

 

REFERENCES:

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TARANTO FAMILY

BILOXI CEMETERY  [image made August 2012]

The Taranto family of Biloxi, Mississippi may have been founded by Anthony Taranto (1857-1927) and Rosalea Fallo (1854-1932), both born at Ustica, Italy.  They arrived at New Orleans, Lousiana bertween 1865 and 1870.  Their children were: Josephine Taranto (1878-1967) m. Lawrence Romeo (1870-1932); Concetta Taranto (b. 1880); Salvador Taranto (1881-1939); John Taranto (b. 1883); Frances Rose Taranto (1886-1954) m. Saverio J. Tedesco; and Olivia Taranto (1898-1904).

JOSEPHINE TARANTO

Josephine [Josefina] Taranto (1878-1967) was born at New Orleans, Louisiana on October 15, 1878.  She married Lawrence [Lorenzo] Romeo 1870-1932) in Harrison County, Mississippi on June 10, 1896.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 11, p. 16)
Lawrence Romeo was born to Antonio Romeo (1823-1898) and Angeline Romeo (1828-1910) on November 11, 1870 at Riposto, Cantania Province, Sicily. Circa 1890, he came to Biloxi with his parents and two siblings: Louis Romeo (d. 1896) and Sarah Romeo (1866-1927?) m. Louis Grasso (d. pre-1900). 

The Romeo family lived at 437 Magnolia Street at Biloxi, Mississippi.  Lawrence made his livelihood as a retail merchant selling fruit and animal feed and as an oysterman.  His business in 1914 was located at 204 West Howard Avenue.  The Romeos lived very close to John Taranto and Julius Taranto who were domicled at 438 and 440 Croesus Streets respectively.
Lawrence and Josephine Taranto Romeo were the parents of five children: Lawrence Romeo Jr. (1901-1968) m. Ellen Cannette (1904-1998); Juliette Romeo (1902-1976) m. Fedele Marchioni (1892-1980); Joseph Romeo (1906-1976) m. Gladys Listenwalter (1908-1989); Angela Romeo (1911-2000) m. Jerome Edward Edward Hilton (1910-1984); and Julius Dominick Romeo (1916-1919). 
 

CONCETTA TARANTO

 

SALVADOR TARANTO

Salvador Taranto was born at New Orleans (1881-1939) on      .  he married        .  They were the parents of three children:  Salvadore 'Sav' Taranto (1989) m. Annette Dubaz;  Rosalie Fournier Adelaide Chinn

 

 

JOHN D. TARANTO

 

 

 

 

 

REFERENCES:

The Daily Herald 50^th Golden Jubilee Number Biographical and Historical 1884-1934, (The Daily Herald: Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi-1934).

The Biloxi Daily Herald, "Latest City News-Romeo-Taranto", June 13, 1896, p. 8.

The Daily Herald, "Mrs. Angeline Romeo", November 9, 1910.

The Daily Herald, "

The Daily Herald, "The Daily Herald, "Anthony Taranto dies", May 2, 1927, p. 2.

The Daily Herald, "[Thomas] Taranto youth injured", September 29, 1930, p. 2.

The Daily Herald, "Lawrence Romeo , Sr. dies", April 7, 1932, p. 2.

The Daily Herald, "Mrs. Taranto buried", October 12, 1932, p. 2.

The Daily Herald, "S. Taranto dies", April 10, 1939, p. 5.The Daily Herald,

The Daily Herald,

The Daily Herald, "S.J. Tedesco buried", October 9, 1948, p. 2.

The Daily Herald, "John Taranto dies at Biloxi residence", December 3, 1949, p. 6.

The Daily Herald,

The Daily Herald,

The Daily Herald,

The Daily Herald,

The Daily Herald, "Mrs. [Frances Rosie Taranto] Tedesco dies after long illness", March 16, 1954, p. 6.

The Daily Herald,

The Daily Herald,

The Daily Herald,

The Daily Herald,

The Sun Herald, "Salvadore 'Sav' Taranto", May 8, 1989, p. A4.

The Sun Herald, 'Angela Romeo Hilton', February 7, 2000.

The Sun Herald, 'Fedele Marchioni Jr', March 7, 2004, p. A7.

 

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TEDESCO

 

 

REFERENCES:

The Sun Herald, 'Miss Rosalie T. 'Leah' Tedesco', February 17, 1991, p. B-2.