It was the middle of World War II when a handsome young man met and fell in love with the woman who would one day become his wife. Every time he spied her on her balcony, he knew he'd have to talk to her, until finally one day he mustered up enough courage to talk only to say "buon giorno signorina" (good morning Miss). The friendly response sealed their fate forever.
The war had other plans. Salvatore went to war, but before he left, he asked this young woman (Fiorentina) if she would wait for him.
And so it was. There were many hardships incurred by both. (Salvatore was captured by the Germans but escaped with others from the German camp). (Fiorentina began working to help out her family). For several years after the war they lost contact.
But God was not going to keep this couple apart. As fate would have it, Salvatore began to work in the same building as Fiorentina, and upon seeing her again, he asked her family for her hand in marriage. After many years of knowing each other only in passing, they were engaged in 1950. The engagement lasted for three years until they were finally wed on October 18, 1953.
Their wedding day was not without problems though. The blushing bride fell in her first time worn heels going up the stairs of the church. Thank goodness the "father giver" was strong and kept her from tumbling backwards. The groom almost didn't make it to the wedding. The car he was in had a flat tire on the way to church. (Can you imagine the thoughts going through Fiorentina's head?) Salvatore had waited far too long to have a flat tire stop him from marrying his true love. Some how he managed to get to the church and they sealed their love before God, family and friends.
Their life together for the last 50 years has been filled with many things but mostly with joy. They left family and friends in Italy in 1959 to pursue a better life in the Bahamas. They watched this island nation grow and there they raised their four children: (three who were born in Italy), Maria Rita, their eldest daughter, Domenico and Armando their sons, and their youngest daughter Angela born in Freeport. They have three beautiful grandsons, which bring them much pleasure and keep them forever young; Angelo, Angela's son, Daniel, Armando's son and Nicholas, Domenico's son. In 1991, after spending a lifetime working, they retired and relocated to Miami, Florida.
In February of 2003, the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami acknowledged couples wed for 25, 50 and more years. When interviewed by a reporter as to how their marriage sustained so many years, Fiorentina responded "that they always have God in their life, they respect and trust each other and they talk to each other as best friends". (Salvatore also said, " it also helps that I can't hear too well ".)
We their children and grandchildren wish them many more love-filled years with good health and prosperity. We acknowledge all our family and friends who have seen them through the past 50 years. May God continue to keep you and yours always in his care.
The assembly and construction of these pages are a work in progress and will evolve over time. Photos are scanned, repaired, color corrected, adjusted and optimized for clarity. Family information will be gathered and added as it becomes available. Please check back as we update the images and information.
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