I have a login to Ancestry.com and received a “hint” about Uncle Mike Kushlyk that made me check the census records for him. I was always confused when we visited with Aunt Ann and Uncle Mike in the Bronx because we called his mother that lived with them as “Mrs. Peterson” and his brother who lived upstairs was Joseph Peterson. So why was his last name “Kushlyk”? I found this was very confusing but with sufficient searching this week it is an interesting story that I wanted to share with you…
Author Archives: Joe
Benjamin Cook Graduation
Ben graduated from Union Catholic High School this week with honors. He wore the National Honor Society cape, and 2 ribbons from National Spanish Honor Society, and Peer Ministry. At the graduation ceremony they awarded metals for several areas of excellence. Ben was awarded 3 of those metals for Engineering, Music, and Religion. He worked so hard all through High School and it shows. Good luck at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall.
Benjamin going to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Benjamin has accepted going to RPI for college in the fall. He applied to 11 colleges and was accept to all of them. Last fall he was awarded the Rensselaer Metal, a scholarship worth $40,000 for up to 5 years at RPI. He was impressed by RPI for several reasons including that he felt comfortable with the program and the students he observed on campus. Rensselaer is in Troy, NY outside of Albany. He is entering the Aeronautical Engineering program which is a specialized Mechanical Engineering option.
Facebook Post on Dom Ragucci Dementia
Facebook Post – Nov 3, 2012 – Dom Ragucci Dementia
“My Dad has been with Rose and I since Wednesday when our power came on. His home is still without power. Spending all this time together gives us a real appreciation of what happens to your mind at 94 years old. He has a difficult time making connections between people and relationships even within his own family. It’s tough to see what time is doing to this vibrant man who could do anything. We are using pictures to try and help him understand. He knows what’s happening to himself and keeps trying to understand but can’t change it. Fortunately, it is not upsetting to him, just confusing. We pray that God will be kind to him in the years he has left.”
[Note; Dom passed away almost exactly 3 years later on Nov 21, 2015 from Dementia.]
Joe Ragucci
Disney Mediterranean Cruise – 2023
We just completed a cruise of the Mediterranean on the Disney Dream ship with Rose, Joe, Rosalie, John and Ben. The traveling to Europe was a disaster for all of us due to canceled flight and long delays. We will never forget the troubles we encountered getting to Europe or back but it all worked out in the end.
Rose, John, and Ben started the vacation with 3 days in Paris and 1 day in Barcelona. Since Rosalie had been in Paris many times for work, she was able to guide them with a great time visiting Paris. They then spent a day in Barcelona.
Rose and I met them on the cruise ship after that and spent 7 days on the ship. The ship skipped the first port in the French Rivera due to a medical emergency on the ship so our first stop was in Italy. The cruise is a great way to get a quick view of the area but since the cruise ports are so far from the cities we visited it was no more than that. Also, the crowds made it impossible to visit most of the buildings due to long lines so we experienced the cities from the outside only – a real disappointment.
All of us visited Florence but it was so hot and humid that Rose and I decided to use the on-off bus rather than all the walking the the Cooks experienced. We did meet for lunch but then back on the bus. After that, Rose and I decided to stay on the ship for the next 2 ports – Sorrento/Amalfi and Rome while the Cooks took excursions. Rose and I had been to all these places on Tauck tours so it wasn’t an issue.
We all enjoyed the time on the ship with great food and the “disney” experience on board. Overall, a mixed vacation for us having experienced this same cruise in 2007 without all the crowds or heat and without the air travel troubles. Rose and I consider this our last trip to Europe but we encourage Rosalie, John, and Ben to experience Italy with Tauck tours to see more with a high-end experienced travel company.
Ben Cook Spring 2023
Well Ben just got his drivers license since he turned 17 – hard to believe!
And in addition to his National Honor Society, he now belongs to the Spanish National Honor Society. Way to go Ben!!!
Karate Black Belt
Ben was awarded his Karate Black belt on June 18 after many months of intense training. He has been taking karate since the 1st grade achieving one belt after another. However, the black belt was the most difficult. Here is he holding all the belts from white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown and finally black. Congratulations on a job well done.
Italian American Man of the Year
On Oct 9th 2022, Joe Ragucci was honored with “Italian American Man of the Year” at a ceremony at Woodbridge Town Hall sponsored by State Senator Joe Vitale and Colonia Knights of Columbus at their annual Columbus Day celebration.
My Italian American Story:
Being an Italian American has been an important part of my entire life. Both of my grandparents immigrated to America from Italy, my maternal grandparents from the mountains north of Naples settling in Carteret, and my paternal grandparents from Monte Sant Angelo in the Gargano mountains along the Adriatic Sea settling in Port Reading. Growing up in Port Reading most of the people around me were of Italian descent. I was blessed to meet and marry the love of my life, Rose whose family was also Italian Americans.