Giuseppe Citarella was the youngest sibling of the first generation in our family of Citarellas to emigrate from Sarno, Italy. He arrived in America at Ellis Island at the age of 17 on December 27, 1904 aboard the S.S. Prinzess Irene. Thousands of Italians were arriving in America, expanding their ethnic presence and creating a demand for Italian tradesmen to satisfy their needs. Therefore, a well trained butcher like Giuseppe would find immediate employment.

A few years later Giuseppe met and married Sarafina (Sarah) DeGrazia and raised six children. Hard work earned him his own butcher business after which he acquired various real estate holdings. Eventually he built a beautiful home in the Bronx where he and Sarafina raised their six children and where the two of them lived for the rest of their lives.

More to come...

Vinnie DeGrazia (02/28/07)