Friends Remembered
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We put [our dreams] "in a drawer. And sometimes, late at night, we take them out and admire them. But it gets harder and harder to close the drawer..."
- Parahrased from J.M. Barrie
(Left to Right; Starting in Back)
Donald, Pete Muccioli, Roselie, Nick Salomone, Billy, Rudy Guilano, Marie [Muccioli], Tony C., Tony Muccioli, & Angelica "Angie" Depresso [nee Luciano].
Do You Remember When...
Maybe you remember Nicki, Tony, Pete, Rudy, Al, and the gang. Maybe you were one of their friends or family. Maybe they told you what it was like growing up in the 1940s & 1950s in the Bronx.
Whatever your story is that lead you to mine, please enjoy the photos. If you have any stories, memories, or photos to share, please use the contact me form.
In the meantime, let's share a dream of a time now passed, where stickball kept young men out of trouble, being a Hostess Delivery Man was a job worth fighting for, and movies cost a dime.
Alfred "Al" Civarelli
Birth: December 25, 1933
Death: July 12, 2008
Alfred "Al" Civarelli was at the core of the Oak Tree Place Gang. Close friends with both Nicki Salomone and Tony Muccioli, he was in both of their weddings and Nicki's best man.
Al's nickname was "Skacky".
Al grew up on Arthur Ave, near Nicki and Angie. His father owned the grocery store across the street from the corner of Oak Tree Place and Arthur Ave.
During the 1940s, Al wanted to be a Hostess Deliveryman.
Angelica "Angie" Depresso
Birth: June 2, 1928
Death: November 13, 2006
Angelica Depresso, nee Luciano had red hair and was very thin. She had amazing eyes, a wonderful smile, and was very close to Marie Mucchioli and Annette Salomone (wife of Nicki Salomone). They remained friends until the end of their lives.
Rudy Guilano
Rudy Guilano was a part of the 'Gang' during the summer of 1944. He was also on The Oaks Stickball team. His father got the boys their matching sweaters, with the orange O.
Do you / Did you know Rudy? Do you have any stories about him? If so, please contact me.
Marie Muccioli
Birth: 1930
Death: January 8, 2013
Marie Muccioli, nee Sandonato, was one of the original Gang of 1944. Growing up in the Bronx, she became very close with Tony, Nicki, and Al. In --- she married Tony. They remained married until Marie's death in 2013.
Pete Muccioli
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Birth: October 26, 1927
Death: December 18, 2011
Pete Muccioli & Tony Muccioli were twins. Growing up in the Bronx together only brought them closer. Part of the gang of 1944 and the Oaks Stickball team, he was an important part of the cluster.
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Peter worked as a New York City Police Officer and was an Army veteran of WWII.
He is remembered as being a mellow, calm, and good man.
Nicki and Annette's son was named after him.
Anthony "Tony" Muccioli
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Birth: October 26, 1927
Death: October 7, 2017
In many ways, Tony Muccioli was the nucleus of the group. Twin of Pete Muccioli, Tony was born in New Jersey, but moved to the Bronx when he was a boy. He was quickly drawn to Marie, who he called "My Girl" by 1945, four years before they were married.
Nicholas "Nicki" Salomone
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Born: June 24, 1927
Death: December 29, 1954
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Born Nicola Salomone, he was the first of his family to be born in America. Nicki's name was 'Americanized' to Nicholas in school. Nicki was part of the Gang of 1944 and The Oaks.
He was the best man in Tony Muccioli's wedding. Pete Muccioli was his best friend, and the best man in his wedding. He married Annette Wurch in the early 1950's, and had a son in 1953.
Nicki worked for the New York Postal Service, and tried to work through a cough during the holiday season. The cough turned into bronchitis and he died just after Christmas in 1954. Tony recalled being at a poker game when Annette came in to tell everyone, and the just couldn't believe it.
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Tony recalled Nicki as having high family values. When asked how he would have felt about his grand-daughter, Tony answered, "Baby, he would have loved you."