Francesca and Pietro (Peter) Asci

 

Francesca, known as Frances or Chicchina, was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Marino and Marianna (Pazzini), born on May 2, 1899 in Verucchio, Forlì, Italy

Francesca was 9 years old when the family moved from Verucchio to live with their uncle, Don Secondo Grilli, a priest, at his parish rectory, San Gaudenzo, in Montefiore in 1908.  Since the school system in Verucchio only went up to the sixth grade, education for Francesca and her siblings was limited.  The lack of schools in Montefiore brought their education to a halt.  They were expected to do all the housekeeping chores which included the church as well.  By 1913, with Caterina and Maria settling in America, these chores became a burden for the 14-year old Francesca.  On March 26, 1915, her mother, Marianna, died unexpectedly from the complications of diabetes, leaving the 3 youngest children, Francesca (16), Paolo (13) and Innocenza (11) without maternal guidance.  Their maternal grandmother, Angela (Gai), had died early in 1912 at age 71.

Life at San Gaudenzio continued to become more difficult.  Plans for the family to join Pino and his sisters in America were delayed with Marianna’s sudden death.  In October, 1919, 17-year-old Paolo and his father Marino left for America, leaving behind Francesca (20) and Innocenza (15).  The only family members left were Don Secondo (51) and grandfather Francesco (87) in Montefiore and brother Luigi’s family living in nearby Rimini.

Apparently, when Innocenza was finally eligible to obtain a passport, the two youngest girls left Montefiore.  In April of 1921, Francesca and Innocenza, accompanied by their two  young nephews, Emilio (8) and Eugenio (6), sailed on the SS America from Genova, landing in Philadelphia.  They all stayed temporarily with Pino and his family in Everett.  Francesca and Innocenza eventually settled in East Boston.

Francesca met and married Pietro (Peter) Asci in 1923.  They lived on Avon Street in Everett, the next street over from Pino’s house.  Peter, born on April 25, 1897,  had arrived in the U.S. in 1914 with two of his half-brothers, whose family name was Persico.  While here, they all received draft notices to report for military duty in the Italian armed forces.  His brothers returned to Italy, but Peter wanted no part of World War I.  He tore up his draft notice and found work at a quarry in Saugus, Mass. 

Peter was a hard working gentle man who loved smoking his stogies and tending his garden.  Francesca and Peter lived at several locations in Everett, where their two sons, Robert and Dante, were born.  They eventually settled in Malden.

Francesca died on March 24, 1969 at age 70.  Peter died on May 21, 1977 at age 80.