News from San Antonio Church – Dec. 26, 2021

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Weekly Bulletin December 26, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday after Christmas, we introduce the last of the January 2nd families that will be celebrated at mass and a reception on that day.  There are two branches of the La Scalia or Scalea Families.  The first is the Nicola (1890-1917) and the Antoinette (Ventre) Scalia Loffredo (1888-1933) family.  Her parents were Carmine Ventre and Caroline Sabetta.  Nicola and Antoinette arrived from Felitto, Italy with their infant daughter, Antoinette (Scalia) (1913-1964) who years later would marry Jerome Brockmeyer.  Nicloa and Antoinette welcomed daughter Grace Scalia (1916-2008) who married Ernest Palumbo (1910-1980 and son Peter Gus Scalia (1917-1974) who wed Doris Hill (1927-2011).  Nicola passed away after the birth of Peter in 1917; and 3 years later in 1920, Antoinette married Louis Loffredo (1874-1948).  Two more children were born, Josephine Loffredo (1921-1977) who married Anthony Cooper, and Nicholas Anthony Loffredo (1923-1979) who wed Elizabeth Ferris. 

Thirteen years after their marriage, Antoinette (Ventre) Scalia Loffredo died on December 2, 1933, six months after her brother Domenico Ventre (1876-1933) who died on June 24th.  At the time of her passing, the oldest Antoinette was 20, Grace 17, Peter 16, and minor children Josephine 12, and the youngest, Nicholas 10.  Their family homestead was located at 1923 Montrose Street where Louis raised the children until passing away at 74 years of age.  The Scalia/Loffredo siblings grew up in Little Italy and during those early years of our church, two Sisters of Charity did much work with the youth in the neighborhood who needed extra care.  Antoinette Scalia Brockmeyer was taught by those Sisters of Charity, Blandina and Justina; and her daughter Carol Ann Brockmeyer was inspired by their dedication and joined their order, becoming Sr. Anthony Brockmeyer, S.C.   

The other branch of the La Scalea or Scalea Family were well known for the grocery they started around 1900.  Their family was established when Antoinette Di Nardi (1873-1953) married Noblie Scalea (1866-1930) in Salerno Italy on October 13, 1892.  They immigrated to the United States in 1903.  Nobile ‘s parents were Pasquale and Giuseppa (Schiavo) La Scalea.  Antoinette and Noblie’s family consisted of Nicholas “Scully “ Scalea (1896-1975) who married Amelia Bloemer; he served in the United States Marines, resided in Kentucky, and was employed by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.  Daughter Alvina, (1904-2000) worked with her mother, corresponded with Bing Crosby about racehorses, trainers, and the jockeys who rode them.  Son Joseph (1906-1969) married Bertha Mobley.  Son Anthony (1910-1977), lived at 2161 Queen City Avenue and was employed by Nash Tailors at Henry and Elm Streets.  Daughter Anna (Scalea) Dench married Joseph Fazio (1910-1998).  Daughter Josephine Scalea  (1913-1995) married Thomas W, Owen II. 

The Matriarch, Antoinette Di Nardi Scalea worked for a tailoring business while her husband worked for Union Gas and Electric until they opened two grocery stores located at 1957 and 2161 Queen City Avenues that she ran for 53 years until her death in 1953.   Alvina then ran the much-needed grocery and staple in the neighborhood.  The Scalea’s Grocery would hold your weekly bill until payday at the end of the week.  They worked with all the neighborhood families and really helped them survive through very tough times.  After Alvina passed away, Salvatore and Maria Petrillo saved enough money to buy the business in 1965 and kept it going for the next 35 years. 

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