My Italian Poppie

Andrew "Ando" Baiamonte

I decided to do a post on my Italian grandfather (who we lovingly called "Poppie"). I recently told a friend, that I wish I had a clearer memory of him, but we had to give him back to the Lord when I was just 10. It's so hard to try to remember what someone was like, when you are so young. Everyone always tells me what a kind and giving man he was, and that he was the humor of the family. When he heard of good news, he would always look and say "Oh Honey! That's worse than wonderful!"

His father came over from Sicily, Italy in the early 1900's with his family and they thought that they would coming to the land of plenty, however this was not the case. Unfortunately, my great-grandfather had to get a job mining coal for 12 hours a day, making only .25 an hour with which to support his wife and 7 children, and, when the Depression hit in the 1930's, they had to live on such funds.



During World War II, Poppie enlisted in the Navy as a Radio Operator First Class. After the War, he was honorably discharged , and was the only one in his family to go to College majoring in Business Management. A few years later, he met my blond-haired, green-eyed, Irish (Yah.... ;) Grandmother in an office that they both worked in.



They were married a short time later, and moved back to his home-town where he opened one of 2 restaurants that he owned (he was the chef, as he himself was an incredible cook). And, years later was able to get his brother started in the restaurant business.

He was such a beloved man,that I am sorry that we had to give him back to the Lord, before I got to ask him everything that now I would like to.He and my Grandmother were both saved through the testimonies of my Aunts and mother, so it is a wonderful thought to know he is in heaven.

Poppie (far left) and his cousins

Poppie and his father, Anthony
(Wasn't he such a cute little Italian man?)

Such a smile on my Poppie!