I wrote this book to honor my grandfather, Raffaele Colaluca, and tell the story of his journey from Bugnara, a small, medieval farming village, in the mountains of central Italy, to America
The privileged first son of Baron Venjenzo Colaluca, Raffaele grew up well-known in the village, recognized for his clarinet
playing, wood-working skills, and fun-loving irreverence.
After serving in the Italian Army Marching Band he married Anna Maccarelli, settled back into village life and their first child was born a year later. Increasingly concerned about the direction Italy's King, Victor Emmanuel III was taking the country, Raffaele decided he did not want to be the next Baron Colaluca and made the difficult decision to immigrate to America. He left his new wife and baby in his parent's care, promising to send for them as soon as he could.
What follows is the story of his struggles and triumphs in America, settling in the Italian community of Germantown, Pennsylvania, finding work, reuniting with Anna and Clara, raising a family, becoming a naturalized citizen, and living an old-world life in the new world. There was heartbreak and happiness in my grandfather's journey, and a message of hope for all of us who follow our dreams.
This book covers the first six decades of Raffaele's life, and introduces you to the second first son, my father, Paulo, and me, the third first son, nicknamed Biff.
A second volume of Three First Sons will cover the final twenty years of my grandfather's life, full of stories of all three sons into the 1960's, where you'll meet the family's fourth first son,
Raffaele's great-grandson, Damon Colaluca.
