Little Tony was a special little fella whose young Mother Nell was considered too young to raise him in the eyes of the Cumbo women.  So, they kept him away from Nell Clarke and decided to raise this precious boy themselves. 

Jake's Mother, Nellie, enjoyed having little Tony around as he reminded her of her own boys, now grown men.  Her sons, James "Jake", Angelo, and Sam were strong men with passionate hearts and she hoped all the more for little Tony, who was named after one of her sons that died at a young age.  Nellie kept him close as she prepared the daily meals which included Polenta.  Preparation for their evening meal began in the morning and lasted all day until the last son arrived home from working the coal mines. Only then was the hot meal of Polenta served on a large fireroasted wooden cutting board. 

One day, while Grandmother Nellie began her daily ritual in the kitchen, she fell to the ground.  Little Tony found her there and ran to get his Grandfather who was nearby managing their grocery store.  A heart attack claimed the life of my Great Grandmother Nellie in the eyes of my father, her only Grandson, Tony.  My father was only 5 years old when he experienced someone he loved leaving this world.  And now with his Grandmother gone, a family meeting would be held to decide who would raise him. Jake's sisters, Clara and Rosie, would step in and manage raising Jake's boy.  Little Tony did not mind this at all because his Aunti's doted on him and gave him a lot of love that he needed.