Uncle Carlo Comes to New York with Us - Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

Uncle Carlo Comes to New York with Us - Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

There are several stories I have written about my uncle . . .  his winter snow adventures, his heavy coat, his generosity . . .  but I do not believe I have written of his trip to New York with a bunch of college guys.

Uncle Carlo was a bulk of a man; his chest was a plate of armor; his legs were tree trunks. He went to Providence College, played football, and made All-Italian, All-America as a guard. Because of family needs, he left before graduating. But he never lost his love for the school and the friends he made there

When I was at Providence College, our basketball team was invited to play in The National Invitation Basketball Tournament in Madison Square Garden on two occasions. At the time, this tourney was the most recognized one in which to play. Excited, I went with friends.

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Uncle loved my college friends and when they came to the house, he was the first to join us. When he heard that we were traveling to NYC to see the PC Friars play in Madison Square Garden, he blurted, “I’ll come with you guys. Can I?”

“Really,” came a chorus of replies. “Sure, of course.” And he did. As we piled into the car a few days later, he took the helm at the front seat window, a smile on his face, a cigar tucked in the side of his mouth.

We stayed at The Taft Hotel. It was not long before we gathered at the bar; Uncle elbowed up with the rest of us. The beers came. So did his money. He was so excited, he insisted on paying for everything. We would not allow him to pay for everything, but he did his share.

It was happy hour and hors d'oeuvres were free. Imagine! Free hors d’oeuvres in New York! Well, it was 1961. After one beer, we ambled to the chef who pleasantly dished out a modest plate. Who could expect more? They were free. Uncle was a big man, and it took more than a few tidbits to fill him. Tom returned with his dish piled high.

“How did you get all those,” Uncle chirped with wide-open, keen, craving eyes.

“Gave the guy a tip.”

“How much?

“Twenty-five cents.”

“Here, give him this dollar.” Tom returned, smiling, with two plates full, an adequate fill before game time, where in The Garden we would have a few hotdogs, and more beer.

“You have given me a thrill, Uncle beamed.” He kept up with us; smiling, joking, cheering, eating, drinking as if he were an underclassman again, making up for the missing years.

Uncle Carlo loved life. He loved his family, his work, his food, his friends, his nephews, and his college. And he loved being with us that weekend. Just as we loved his presence. His attendance in all he did, in all he gave, and in his gentle demeanor matched his size.

Providence College won the tournament.

 

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli is the author of three popular memoirs, “Growing up Italian; Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories”, “What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner” and “My Story Continues: From Neighborhood to Junior High.”  Learn more HERE.