Bible believing, no nonsense family. Through the years I lived at home, my parents verbally fussed and fought with each other. It seemed like a daily event. Until this day, I have no idea why they fought. I am one hundred percent certain that there was no infidelity, that neither of them mistrusted the other. If it was not love, it had to be faith in Jesus. At one time, my mother ran away with me. We did not get far. She commented we had to return home or dad may wreck the furniture. He never did. I was tired of hearing them fuss. I remember thinking I would run away and live with Gene Autry or Roy Rogers, if I could.
Looking back, I do not think mom realized the extent of dad’s knowledge or how hard he worked. He was a hard worker and provided for his family. He took us to church every Sunday and mom and dad were committed to the family way of life.
However, as in all families, there were many times of peace. It was not all bad. Dad’s brother, Uncle Al, took me and some friends to the Broadway show “Oklahoma” for my sixteenth birthday. The families shared dinners and picnics together. On one of these picnics, mom asked me to take a bottle and have it refilled with milk for the baby. As I ran to do so, I fell and the glass bottle broke. I received several glass slivers in my wrist. Years later, a sliver worked its way out.
Ma, Ernie, Herb, Walter, and Bill, my mom’s brothers, each lived in various parts of the city and met weekly at our home for a night of pinochle. I had the audacity to introduce poker. “That is a street game.” Grandmother was appalled until she gave in to play. She loved it. Poker was played more often. Dad and my uncles had on Tuesday nights, a standing reserved bowling alley where I also went and munched while watching. One time, Ernie took me to watch a soccer game. At the game, we met with my uncle’s Bill and Herb. I enjoyed watching the three bothers playing together on one team. This inspired me to join the Samuel GompersTechnical High School soccer team.
Al, mom’s fifth brother, lived in Ellwood city; about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My parents knew of some friends driving near him and arranged for me to travel with them. It was almost all country roads. The Pennsylvania turnpike was still in planning stages. I met Al’s family. They were in the pizza business. His wife had a large family. When she cooked, they always had two different meals on the table; all delicious and no one ever left the table hungry.
There was a wide river near by where all went swimming. Upstream was a boulder from which they would dive. I did not swim well and was embarrassed. They offered to swim along side of me. I still declined. I fell in love again. I do not know if she was related in any way, all I know is that I was attracted to her. When it was time to return home, as the kid that I was, I was very sorry to leave; tears and all. Since I am on the topic of mom’s brother Al, let me continue. The mother of my children, Joan, and I were invited to a formal event by Uncle Al. He had purchased two twenty-five dollar tickets. We were living in Irwin, 30miles east of Pittsburgh. Uncle Al explained the event. It was sponsored by the Wolf Organization, a part of the Mafia. The orchestra, which played at the local Holiday Inn, was hired away from their weekly Saturday night engagement. Tables were all spread around the ballroom, leaving dancing space. Each table sat about 20 people.
Each table had four bottles of, red and white wine. When empty, waiters kept replacing them. Each table had at least two waiters. Guests had a choice of red or white sauce for their spaghetti. Seconds were available. A table was set up with running alcohol and one for the youngster with non-alcoholic drink. You knew those who sat at the table with the best view by their attire. They were the Don, his wife, and family. The music was great for dancing and the Don and his wife were first. Even the youngsters danced; so did Joan and I.
The purpose of the organization became evident. The dean of the local high school introduced the progress of students; all who were being sponsored by Wolf. Names of high school, college, and advanced students; their grades and plans were given. Some of the students were also introduced. The information was awesome.
I do not know how Uncle Al managed tickets. I know Al had many friends and was a likeable person. Joan and I were delighted to be there. It was a once in a lifetime experience. My mother’s five brothers, and mother, came from Salzburg, Austria to settle in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Mom, born in 1907, also came from Austria, a little later. This is where dad stole mom’s heart. She was a beauty with many dates; sometimes one after another on a single night. My uncles told me how the siblings would leave a window unlocked for whoever came home later then expected.
Mom and her mother, I heard, did not get along. It was evident over time. I never asked why. I still do not know why. At an older age, when able to travel alone, mom had me visit my grandmother every Sunday; even take her out for dinner a couple times. One of those times, I found myself short of cash. She laughed and picked up the tab. Ma, as I called her, was up in age, worked as a tailor at a local hotel, and maintained her own apartment. Quite alert, she was well read and strong minded. Ma inherited, and her genes passed on, musical abilities. She played the zither. Music was in our family. Her grandfather was Franz Gruber who wrote what became a world wide and timeless song. He was music minister at the Lutheran church. At the Christmas service, his music, “Silent Night” was meant to be played on the organ, but instead, was introduced on his guitar. Because of electrical problems, as many plans made in a lifetime, it did not happen.
Mother played the mandolin and piano. When I began lessons on the violin, mom said it was too squeaky. With the trumpet, it was too loud. I began strumming on a guitar a friend gave me. Well, mom gave the guitar to a boarder who expressed an interest in it. I had a Russian Balalaika. That also disappeared. Finally, mom got what she really wanted for me, piano lessons. I probably had as many piano teachers as schools I attended, including one time at Julliard in N.Y.C.
I never met my grandfather. The only knowledge I have of him was that he traveled a lot, and that he was a publisher who died of blood poisoning. He had the habit of scratching his neck with a pencil, causing blood poison. In those days, there was no penicillin. They were affluent in Europe. I do not know, but I suppose what assets they had were the cost of coming to the land of opportunities and setting up housekeeping. Ma and I had a good relationship. She showed an interest in me and was aware that my mom asked me to visit her. It did not matter, she was glad when I visited. She read tarot and other cards but would not read for me nor would she tell me why. I mentioned having attended many grade schools. There was also a private night school. My parents enrolled me to learn their native tongue. Although they were fluent and spoke English mostly, they were definitely more fluent in German. The night class was in preparation for us going to Germany. A young friend met up with me in front of our apartment building. He invited me to go to a movie that weekend. I told him I could not go, that we were going somewhere. “where to?” He asked. “do not know,” I told him.
This shows that a long boat trip has little interest to a child. At least to a child who moved around as much as I had? My next move was going to Europe.