Maria (Mary) MOLINARO was born on October 23, 1896 in Cerrisi, Decollatura, Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy to Luigi MOLINARO and Serafina MERCURIO.

On 12 maggio 1906 (May 12 1906) Serafina and her children, Maria, Francesco (Frank) and baby son, Michele (Michael) left Italy from the Port of Naples, sailing on the SS Republic. Also on this journey was Mama's nineteen-year-old cousin, Giuseppe MOLINARO, son of Giorgio MOLINARO and Palma BONACCI.

Mama was nine years old when they arrived at the Port of New York and passed through the gates of Ellis Island. The day was May 25, 1906. Their final destination was 65 Hospital Street, Carbondale, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania, the home of her uncle, Costantino MOLINARO, where Mama was reunited with her father and older siblings, Antonio and Filomena.

The previous year Luigi and his two oldest children made the same journey. After settling in with his brother, Luigi worked hard to save enough money to pay for his family's passage. This wasn't an easy task, Luigi was already fifty-six years old, and passage for one adult took approximately six months wages.

Serafina and Luigi had three more children, Joseph, James and James L., all born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, Gaetano Gatto was preparing for a journey of his own. . .

Gaetano (Thomas) GATTO was born January 14, 1892 in Bronte, Catania, Sicily, Italy. He was the son of Nunzio GATTO and Nunzia CHIRIELEISON.

On 17 aprile 1909 (April 17, 1909) at the age of seventeen, Papa left Sicily. He would never return to his homeland or see his family again. He traveled alone on the SS Italia, which sailed from the Port of Palermo and arrived at the Port of New York, Ellis Island on May 1, 1909. His destination was that of his cousin's home, Guglielmo (William) PINZONE on Dundaff Street in Carbondale, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania. By 1910, Papa was living with the Pinzone family on Brown Street in Carbondale, working as a coalminer.

Mama and Papa were married on May 22, 1913 by Fr. Anthony CERUTTI at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Carbondale. Antonio AIELLO and Teresa MOLINARO were their witnesses.

Together, Gaetano Gatto and Maria Molinaro had twelve children, Nunzio, Vincenzo (James), "Baby" Serafina, Serafina (Sadie), Salvatore (Samuel), Louis, Anna, Marie, Rita, Thomas (my Dad), Joseph and Carmelita, all born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.

By the late 1940s, Papa's laboring work in the coalmines had taken their toll. He passed away in his sleep on May 18, 1951 at the age of fifty-seven. He is remembered as a very proud, hardworking family man who possessed strength and determination. His sense of family was his strongest quality, and to this day, remains his legacy.

We were blessed to have Mama with us until August 28, 1983, when she passed away at the age of eighty-six. Mama was the heart and soul of our Italian family. She had a deep and unwavering belief in our Catholic faith, and lived by its principals each day of her life.

It is because of Mama and Papa's hard work, dedication, sacrifice and love of God and family that we are proud to call ourselves Gatto's.