News from San Antonio Church – Nov. 28, 2021

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Weekly Bulletin November 28, 2021

by Terrie Evans

The 4th historic San Antonio Church Family for our December 5th celebration will be the Severio “Sam” and Lucia (Ciasullo)  Soldano Family.  Lucia Ciasullo (1894-1976) married Severio “Sam” Soldano (1891-1930) on June 23, 1913, in Savignano, Italy.  Sam might have journeyed to the United States through New York on April 1, 1922, with Lucia arriving later.  Their son,  John Baptista “Bap” Soldano named for St. John the Baptist,  was born in 1918 in Italy and came to the United States with Lucia on March 30, 1924, at the age of 6 on the ship Conte Rosso.  John later changed his name taking the “Baptista” out as it was too much like the name of the dictator in Cuba.  In the next few years, Sam, and Lucia both made Declarations of Intent to become U.S. Citizens.  Soon after arriving, they welcomed daughter Carmella (Soldano) Kohlsdorf Hoffman (1924-1984), followed by Anthony Soldano (1927-1928) then Sam Soldano (1930-1981).   Their oldest son, “ Bap” would marry a girl from the neighborhood, Josephine Ciccone (1917-2019) who also had Italian born parents, Anthony (1887-1984) and Carmella (Di Domenico) (1891-1969) Ciccone.  The Ciccone’s would establish their homestead at 1821 Forbus Street where Anthony worked as a foreman on the railroad when William “Woody” Ciccone (1914-1979) was 3 and Josephine (1917-2019) was born.   While still single, Josephine was employed at Jergens on Spring Grove Ave. after graduating from Western Hills High School. 

The Ciccone Family became active member of San Antonio Church and lived to see the efforts of all those new Italian Americans who were able to worship in a new church building.  Sam and Lucia’s oldest son John “Bap” at the age of 22 was on the U. S. Maritime Service Training Ship, “American Seaman” as one of 250 trainees.  In 1941” Bap “ became an Army Warrant Officer in the Infantry and served 2 years and 11 months during World War II.  During that time, the women of San Antonio Church asked the single girls to write the soldiers and sailors, and this is how Josephine met John ”Bap” Soldano.  While corresponding with him, Josephine learned of Bap becoming injured and his transfer to a World War II Hospital for 4 months suffering from malaria, parasites, and bleeding ulcers.  He survived and married his pen pal Josephine supporting his family as a mailman for the USPS. 

            Bap and Josephine were members of San Antonio Church and supported every fundraiser until the end of their lives.  Josephine at one time was Treasurer of the St. Ann’s Married Ladies Sodality and with Bap, both were members of the San Antonio Choir.  John “ Bap” and Josephine welcomed sons, Nick, John Jr., Daniel, and daughter Mary Ann Soldano (1948-1950) who died at 2 years old from a sudden illness.  After the passing of John “Bap” Soldano at the age of 87, his spouse Josephine “Jo”  became the most cherished member of San Antonio.  When the church celebrated her 100th birthday, family members and good friends were present along with Linda and Mike Kelsey who Jo considered part of her family. 

The next sibling born to Sam and Lucia Soldano six years after Bap was Carmella Soldano (1924-1984) who wed Wilbur Kohlsdorf (1915-1977).  After Wilbur passed away, Carmella wed Albert Hoffman and their family consisted of daughter, Sandra and son, Dennis.  Three years later, Sam and Lucia would welcome son, Anthony Soldano born on June13, 1927 who died at 7 months old on January 14, 1928 .  The next year, son Mike Soldano (1929-2002) was born.  He graduated from Central Vocational School and joined the Navy serving on the Aircraft Carrier, USS Wright.  When Mike returned from serving in the Navy, his mother, Lucia Soldano knew of a family in Philadelphia who had an eligible daughter, Nikki Impagliazzo.   Lucia and Nikki’s mother, Antoinette made the Machade, and the rest is part of their family history.   

Mike went on to open Papa Gino’s with Buddy LaRosa and partners on Boudinot Avenue before opening a Pizza Carry out on the corner of Race and Harrison Avenues.  Years later he moved to Florida then relocating back to Cincinnati with Mike becoming active volunteer doing work in the Catholic Church.  Mike sometimes accompanied Jolene (Ebertz) Lecture on the organ at Sunday Mass at Holy Family.  Mike and Nikki’s family consisted of sons Joe, and Mike and their daughter,  Maria  K. Soldano (1963-1988).  The youngest sibling of Sam and Lucia Soldano was Sam Soldano (1930-1981) who was born the same year his father passed away.  Sam grew up under the guidance of his stepfather Pasquale Lucia after Lucia Soldano married the widower in 1940 with their families supporting and looking out for each other throughout their lives.  Sam grew up around the church with many neighbors looking out for him.  He served in the Army from 1951-1952 in Korea and married Barbara (Becky) Schmidt their children were Tina, Barbara, and Sam, Jr.  After his divorce he married Marilyn Pittinger adopting her children Roger and Steve. Together they had sons Tony and Matt.  Sam and Marilyn moved to Michigan until his passing.  His funeral Mass was held on June 19, 1981, at San Antonio Church his home parish.  

3 Replies to “News from San Antonio Church – Nov. 28, 2021”

  1. I now luve in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. Mived here in 1990 and married again to David Lowell in 1991. Dave passed away in 2007 from pancreatic cancer. Our son, Matthew, resides with me and our son, Samuel, passed away this August 8th from Covid. He just turned 64.

  2. Hey.. thanks for writing. It’s appreciated by all of us. Fyi… Matt is spelled with 2 T’s 😉

    Matthew (Matt) Soldano

    1. Sorry, Matt with 2T’s, I found the error and corrected it. Thanks for visiting and I invite you to upload any old family photos that you can share with our community.

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