With a generous spirit, traditional values and twelve dollars in
his hands, my great-grandfather, Crescenso, arrived on Ellis
Island from Italy in 1906. While most people listed their
occupations as farmers, he chose to note himself as a
tailor…. this would remain his occupation for sixty years.
He earned an honest living and even shared his good fortune with
those back home. Crescenso met and married his love, Jennie, in
Little Italy and raised his family in Staten Island. In the
1960’s, they had an opportunity to return to Italy, and,
even though he enjoyed visiting his native country, he always
considered New York his home — he always considered himself
to be an American.