Brother and Sister

My Brother and Sister were very close.  They grew up together being four years apart and experienced a good time in the family before I came along.

It was a simpler time when Mom and Dad were in the Navy and somewhat provided for by the U.S. Goverment.  They lived on Base wherever they were stationed and had their basic needs provided for like medical and health, food and clothing purchased at a discount price at the Commissary (an on Base store)and their home which was part of the salary provided to Dad for serving in the U.S. Navy.

While completing his last several tour-of-duties while his young family lived with Grandma Ada, Dad began searching for a city to be stationed in for his pre-retirement phase in the Navy.  He wanted somewhere close to Beckley, WV and found Ashland, KY and worked out of a Recruiting Station located inside The Ventura Hotel (no longer in existence).  It was only a two hour drive to Beckley from there and he knew Momma would be pleased. 

My parents chose a neighborhood they could afford on Dad's retirement salary which was not much in those days.  My Mother was a typical stay-at-home mom which meant Dad most certainly had to work another job to make ends meet.  This included playing music at different events. 

Our neighborhood was called "Vatican City" and "Little Italy" at the local police station because of the Italian/Catholic families that settled there.  It was within walking distance to Holy Family Catholic Church and School which made it easier on Momma because Chip and Jeanine could walk there.

The hardworking families that lived on Montgomery Avenue were close to their neighbors and enjoyed helping eachother.  It was a simpler time in the 1960's.  Each Summer, the police would close off one section of our street and let the sun go down on the Marzetti's, the Murer's, the Cumbo's and the Irish bunch (The Seary's) welcoming the other neighbors to the end of the street for a block party filled with music, foods and games enjoyed by the shimmer of strings of colorful lights.  Dante Marzetti was the "Grand Master", organized many a Vatican City Block Party and wore a King's crown to prove it.

Nino Murer and Sister

Laura Murer and Husband

Nelly Marzetti, Dad and Mom

Nino, daughter Diane and Jean Murer
Son, John is not in this picture.
Nino's parents, John and Nonna (I called her) were very special Immigrants.
John Murer, Sr. was Masonary and much of his work can be found today in the Catholic Cemetary located off 13th Street in Ashland, KY.  I remember the wooded tables he would make with a porcelain Virgin Mary medallion in the middle of the table top.  I also remember the fresh breads Nonna would make with dates and sprinkle confectionary sugar on top.  Our families lived side-by-side and enjoyed quality time together.  John grew a garden in the middle of our homes with Italian lettuces likes endive.