(Recollection of Joseph Ragucci)

While growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s we would frequently visit the “Aunt and Uncle from Elizabeth”.  That’s how we knew them.  But later I realized that they were Antonio and Maria,  my father’s Aunt and Uncle.  I also realized that they spelled their last name differently – Ricucci – verses our spelling of Ragucci.   (See story on how Ricucci became Ragucci).

The place I most remember is their large home onWestfield Avenue (Rt 28).  They lived downstairs and their daughter Angie lived upstairs with her husband Joe Esposito and my cousin Martha Esposito.  We would always drive to the back of the house and park next to their garage.

They were a typical Italians talking with a Italian accent and always ready with the food and wine.   The “uncle” made his own red wine that was potent!  I found out that he soaked the barrels with alcohol to increase the alcohol content.  They typically added coke to the wine to dilute it.  As I got older I was offered some heavily diluted with soda.

My father said that his uncle didn’t like to work and was constantly out of work.  When I knew them they were retired.   The Aunt was a typical Italian grandmother figure.