Invitation to Reunion

Molinari Family Reunion

Come join the descendants of Paul and Mary (DiFonzo) Molinari to share stories, photos, and meet the younger generations. Lunch will be served and there will be a cash bar. We will also have use of the Elks Clubs' outside areas.

When: July 24, 2010, noon to 5pm

Where: The Elks Club, 152 Winslow Avenue, Norwood, MA 02062

Please RSVP by July 1 to Cindi (email, phone, and mail address on mailed invitation)

Bocce

Excerpted from Wikipedia: Bocce (or Bocci, or Boccie) is a ball sport, the aim of which is to get large, heavy balls as close to the small "jack" as possible. Developed into its present form in Italy (where it is called Bocce, the plural of the Italian word boccia which means "bowl"). Bocce is traditionally played on natural soil or asphalt courts. A game can be conducted between two players, or two teams of two or four. A match is started by one side throwing a smaller ball, the jack (called a pallino, or a boccino in some areas), from one end of the court into a prescribed zone. The sides then take turns bowling. When each team as bowled all 4 balls, the team with the closest bocce ball to the jack is the only team that can score points in any frame. The scoring team receives one point for each of their balls that is closer to the jack than the closest ball of the other team. The length of a game varies, but is typically from 7 to 13 points. Players are permitted to throw the ball in the air using an underarm action. This is generally used to knock either the jack or another ball away to attain a more favorable position. Tactics can get quite complex when players have sufficient control over the bocce ball to throw or roll it accurately.

The definition fails to communicate how competitive and how much fun Bocce can be when played with family and friends. Good-natured bickering about each point, measurements to ensure points given to correct teams, and many complaints about the ground and audience are also part of the game.

We (Joe Sparrow's family) learned how to play Bocce from watching our Molinari aunts, uncles, and cousins during family get togethers. The photos are from one such gathering on Cape Cod for Frances Molinari & Joe Sparrow's 50th wedding anniversary. Our family continues the Bocce tradition at our July 4th family party. Even the younger generation, Frances and Joe's great-grandchildren, get into the action.

Does your family continue a similar tradition? Please join in the blog and let us know about it.

Rocco Molinari

Rocky was born to Mary and Paul Molinari July 26, 1920 in Norwood.

He served as a Sergeant in the Signal Corp. of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He married Elizabeth (Betty) Cinelli of Mansfield ca. 1934. They had 2 children, Michael and Betty and lived most of their lives in Mansfield, moving to Maryland within the last couple of years.

Rocky worked as a typesetter for the Attleboro Sun Chronicle for over 50 years. He passed away October 24, 2009 in Bel Air, Maryland.

Photos: Rocky in uniform. Rocky and Betty's wedding photo with Joe Sparrow (Frances Molinari's husband) and one of Betty's sisters.

Frank Molinari

Paul and Mary Molinari's first son, Frank, was born in Boston, December 10, 1917.

In 1936 he lived at 40 Sturtevant Ave., Norwood and worked at the Plymouth Rubber Company in Canton. He served in World War II and was among the American forces that landed in Italy.

He died in Inverness, Citrus County, Florida on March 5, 1995.

Although I know little about "Uncle Frankie", I know he was married at least twice and had a daughter with hist first wife. He was also an accordion player.

If any of the family remember his wives and his daughter, please let me know through the comments. I also invite you to add your stories about these family members either through comments are as an author.

Beatrice Molinari Grazado Family

Beatrice Molinari was born November 25, 1915, in Canton, Massachusetts. The first of Paul and Mary's children to be born in the U.S.

She married William Grazado in June of 1939 at St. Catherine of Siena in Norwood, Mass. They had 3 children, June, Robert, and Mary.

Bill and Beattie are pictured above ca. 1945 with Bob and June and newborn Mary.

Beatrice was taken from us November 23, 2009.

Vicki Molinari Kent Goncharuk Family

Vicki was born September 27, 1910 in Santeramo, Bari Province, Italy, to Paul and Mary Molinari. She came to the United States with her mother and baby sister in 1914, sailing from Naples to Boston on the SS Cretic arriving in Boston in November.

She lived with her parents in 1930 on Dean Street in Norwood and worked as a weaver in the same woolen mill as her sister Frances.

Vicki married Frederick Kent (1909-1957) and had two sons, Frederick Jr. (1936-1959) and Anthony (1942-1986). She later married Walter Goncharuk (1914-1974).

Vicki passed away August 31, 2003.

Top left photo: Vicki holding Paul Sparrow, ca. 1952. Top right photo: Vicki and Freddie Kent. Bottom(color) photo: Walter Goncharuk, Paul (Papa) Molinari, Tony Kent, Joe Sparrow, and in front, Paul Sparrow.

Frances Molinari Sparrow

Frances Molinari is shown in the photo above with her family in June 1956 at her son Joseph Jr's wedding. In the front, Joseph Sparrow and Frances (Molinari) Sparrow with Paul Sparrow. Standing in back, Charles Sparrow, Joan (Sparrow) Camelio, Elizabeth (Ross) Sparrow, Joseph Sparrow, Jr., and Paul Camelio.

Frances was born October 31, 1913 in Santeramo, Bari Province, Italy, to Paul and Mary Molinari. She sailed to the U.S. along with her sister, Victoria, and mother, Mary, from Naples, Italy, aboard the SS Cretic arriving in Boston in November 1914.

In 1920 she was living with her parents at 34 Morse Street, Norwood. In 1930, the family lived at 43 Dean Street, Norwood; Frances was working as a weaver in a woolen mill.

She married Joseph Sparrow (born March 20, 1911 in Norwood) ca. 1931 and had 4 children, Joseph Jr., Charles, Joan, and Paul.

Frances (aka Frannie, Nana) died in Norwood, February 7, 1990, and is buried in Highland Cemetery in Norwood along with her parents and Joseph.