Angelo James LoPresto
b. Feb. 25,1910
Perth Amboy, NJ
d. Jul. 18, 1987
Whiting, NJ

Grandfather, maternal side

I was very lucky to know my grandfather Angelo for many years. His untimely death (or so it seemed) when I was 20, was a huge loss for everyone in my family. He was the patriarch of the musical talent that runs through my family, a great philosopher and thinker, and best of all, he had a crazy sense of humor. I still think I see him sometimes - every now and then I see an old man who looks like him, and he fixes me with piercing brown eyes and a mischievious smile. I never discounted my grandmother's claims that he was still around - although now that she's gone too, I imagine he has his hands too full to be down here winking at me.

Grandpop wrote letters to his children and grandchildren in his later years, and I include one of his last as my way of remembering him here. I've also included something that I wrote on the day he died.

March 8, 1986

To: Anyone who will take time to read this

From: Grandpop LoPresto, known as Dirty Angie and, by some, "Ang".

As they say on TV: "Pepperidge Farms Remembers". So why shouldn't I?

Here goes, with help from Grandmom:

2/25/10
1. Born in Perth Amboy, N.J. (midwife) Two sisters, Pauline and Sue. They came thru on an earlier train. Therefore, I am number three.

1910-1930 A.D.
2. During that time I remember the big Morgan explosion, six miles from home. Shook everything and broke many store windows, etc. Ammunition depot for World War I.

3. Also, we had a influenza epidemic-people dying every day. We were lucky. Our family came thru intact - I think Grandmom filled our pockets with garlic - to keep germs away. Nobody came near us, so we had very little exposure.

1918
4. Started violin class lessons - 50 cents a week-contract for 50 weeks. With this I would own "free" the violin etc. furnished by the music school

5. Somewhere along the way, I started regular school - I can't remember the details. I do remember my father taking me on Saturday afternoons to the weekly movies (Tom Mix) for 10 cents each.

1920
6. Shoemaker Grandpop, Grandmom and we lived in an uptown business district (Perth Amboy, NJ). Next door butcher; Drygoods store, Fruit and Vegetable store across the street; Drugstore and Candy Store on each corner. The Hermans owned the Candy/Paper store. Dave Herman and I delivered the "News" daily to customers in the area. I do remember getting free ice cream and spending money plus Christmas presents from the customers.

7. Advanced violin lessons made me a better player, so I started playing at all kinds of family celebrations - baptisms, weddings, Bar mitzvahs, etc... Learned a lot - earned a good bit and learned a lot about music and people.

8. Finished High School Jan 1928- Went on to Pace College in New York City-night school. Travelled to the city three nights a week - 12 months a year - for three years. Graduation 1931 (Depression). No jobs then.

1928
9. Uncle Phil was working at local "Lead Works". Job opening re: spooling wire-National Lead Co. Job lasted 43 1/2 years. I retired 1972. Job: Office Manager, Eastern area.

10. Met Rosie during this time on an excursion ride to Coney Island. Still married for over 50 years. Wow, what a sentence! Rosie's fault, she didn't read the fine print.

1936
Robert born 7/17. 9 1/2 # without shoes, Perth Amboy, NJ

1940
Raymond " 3/23 8 # 11 oz without socks "

1942
Roseanne " 9/23 9# even with shoes and socks, "

1940
May 30th we moved from Perth Amboy to our very own house in a small town called Keyport, New Jersey.

1940-74
Lived in Keyport. All of us, more or less, involved in music, scouting, athletics, church, C.C.D, politics, and a few other routines. Many life-long friendships.

1953
Bob to Rutgers - State Univ. Graduated 1957. Later on - Seton Hall for Masters. Sunday evenings we drove Bob back to New Brunswick, NJ

1958
Ray to West Point - Graduated 1962 Busy time for us all with many trips to the Academy.

1960
Roseanne to St. Elizabeth - Convent Station, NJ. Graduated 1964. I remember Father/Daughter weekends and Greek Theater

After graduations, all three married and after intensive shopping at Sears, Macy's, Gimbles, and Bloomingdales, they and their cooperative spouses presented us with lovely grandchildren (exempt from sales tax) Lisa, Lynne, Lauren; Victor and Vincent; Eileen, Eugene, Julianne and Robert.

This all didn't happen over night. It took, at least, several weeks. That's what Grandmom told me. Believe that and I'll tell you more.

Thanks for listening. Thank you all for filling our lives with so many happy memories and some anxious moments. Once more, thank you for keeping in touch.

Grandpop LoPresto

***

written July 18, 1987

Perhaps there is a healing quality to reminiscing. While I rarely find time to write between work and home chores, I still find myself drawn to a pen whenever my heart aches or my mind is troubled. Today it is some of both. Today I write of the wisest man I know, and who lived far away, and whom I saw only for short, widespread periods of time. My grandfather, Angelo James LoPresto.

I'm thinking about the time spent with him and my grandmother... and what a couple they were! He so quiet, she so talkative. He practical and calculated, she spontaneous and ditzy. I loved those two week vacations in New Jersey, filled with trips to the ocean, expeditions to Barnegat Lighthouse, and of course Asbury Park and the Boardwalk. We'd spend a day roaming the shore, smelling the salt air, going to the pier to see the Lobster-men. He'd stroll along behind us, shaking his head at us, and trying to keep up with our "jet propelled" grandma. We'd spend quiet evenings at the house, and sometimes whole days relaxing, being spoiled and lazy, and eating by his "stomach clock" which went off promptly at 9 a.m., noon, and 5:30 p.m. Who could forget the wide array of cereal and fruit for breakfast, or the neat and predictable lunches of fruit, cottage cheese, soup and crackers? Or how many times were we told to "let the vittles shut your traps"? Will I ever taste a butterscotch without remembering the bag he kept in the glove compartment for us when we travelled?

Grandpop was a musician, pianist, and violinist. Orchestral conductor of 3 musical kids and 9 musical grandkids, and a teacher NOT to be messed with. So many times I'd practice and practice a song to play for him and end up leaving the performance cause he was more critical than I thought a grandfather was supposed to be. Nevertheless, every visit was filled with music and plenty of his silly dances and improvisations.

Mama mia, Grandpop, where did all the years go? When I saw you last year, you were even more quiet and contemplative. What was on your mind? They told me today that you are in a coma, brain dead. I guess that means that you are sort of alive, but in a man whose entire essence was his wisdom and practicality, you are already gone for me. I feel so sad, so empty knowing I've neglected to hug you and tell you how I feel. Ever since the car accident that nearly took you and Grandmom from me, I've thought so much more how precious you are. I realize now that I was so focused on Grandmom recovering, I didn't realize you might leave us. Now its too late. But thank you, Grandpop, thank you for being MY grandpop. Thank you for your wise words and advice, most of which I was too foolish to heed. Thank you for the laughter, the dances, the music, the memories, and all the love. I miss you already. Goodbye.

Back to the Tree

My grandfather, Angelo LoPresto as a young boy.