Notes |
- 12. Vincenzo Jacob (James)4 Di Duca (Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born 11 9 1907 in Dundee, Scotland, and died 09 26 1995 in Paradise, Butte County, California. He married Mary Constanza Randolfi 08 15 1924 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan, daughter of Carmine Randolfi and Domenica Rossi. She was born 12 3 1907 in Atina, Frosinone, Italy, and died 12 28 2001 in Paradise, Butte County, California.
Notes for Vincenzo Jacob (James) Di Duca:
Attended St, Marco's Church at Atina, Italy. Attended a Catholic school called "La Cepella" meaning at a small town, taught by Nuns. Later James referred to the school as St. Mary's Catholic School at Frosinone.
James related a story that his great-great-great grandfather, while crossing the Alps with a horse in tow, was arrested for stealing the horse. He responded that he was only dragging a rope and it was not his fault the horse was at the end of the rope.
Another story, that while they were living in Italy, everyone wore wool clothing. Mondays were the market days in Atina, and everyone went to the market. His family lived between the Malino and Malfi Rivers on property called "El Duca." Their greatest fun was playing with hoop snakes, rolling them down the hills.
James told of being able to see Monte Cassino from their two-story home that had been in the Di Duca family for over 400 years, last owned by his uncle, Achillo Di Duca. The Benedictine Monastery is situated at Monte Cassino on a hill of the same name overlooking the town of Cassino, Italy, northwest of Naples. It was founded in 529 by Saint Benedict of Nursia on the site of an Apollonian temple and the monastery became the home of the Benedictine Order that was for many centuries the leading monastery in western Europe. It was destroyed by Lombards in 590, by Saracens in 884, an earthquake in 1349, and was rebuilt each time. The present buildings are in the style of the 16th and 17th centuries. During the 11th and 12th centuries it was a center of learning, particularly in the field of medicine. In 1886 when monasticism was abolished in Italy, Monte Cassino was made a national monument. After the collapse in 1943 of the Fascist regime during World War II, German troops occupied the town of Cassino, Monte Cassino, which was in use by the Germans as a fortress, and was severely damaged during the course of subsequent Allied siege of the town. It was later reconstructed. The Di Duca home was also damaged during World War II.
During the harvest season, tomatoes would be boiled into a paste, then put on a piece of cloth and placed on the roof to dry. When the tomato paste was thoroughly dried it was rolled up and stoned on stone ledges inside house. All manner of foods were hung inside to dry, including spices and salted meats
Notes on back of an envelope given to me, "Tony Genvise, Leona and Nelda. (Children of Tony?). Mrs. Frank Di Pace, Anthony Genevisi. Jery & Delores adopted a little girl named Fortuna."
1920 Port Huron City Directory. Vincent Diduca (Di Duca), works for Grand Trunk Railroad Shops. Home on Yager Street. (Living at home.
Obituary: James Di Duca of Paradise, a partner of Di Duca Bros., Inc., construction firm died Tuesday, September 26, 1995 at Feather River Hospital. He was age 92. Services are planned for 10 a.m., Friday, September 29 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Paradise.
Mr. Di Duca was born November 9, 1902, in Scotland to Benedict and Carmellia (Carmella) Di Duca. At age 13, he came to the United States after living in Italy and England. (Scotland). In 1924 he married Mary Randolph in Michigan. After working 33 years as a bridge and building inspector at Grand Trunk Railroad, Mr. Di Duca retired then continued to work with Di Duca Bros. for 20 years. He moved to Paradise with his family about 10 years ago. Mr. Di Duca was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church as well as the Operating Engineers. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Di Duca is survived by his wife, Mary of Paradise; two sons, Mark and Joe Di Duca of Paradise; three daughters, Dorothy Eagen of Los Gatos, Joyce Kihnley of Cupertino and Stella Meyer of San Jose; brother Albert Di Duca of Michigan; three sisters, Rose Valenti, Mary Kreiger and Christina Hall, all of Michigan; 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Burial will be at Paradise Cemetery. Pallbearers are Benedict, Jim and Joseph Di Duca; Michael Kihnley and Bill and Chris Eagen.
According to his application for citizenship James Di Duca listed his birth date as November 7, 1902.
Burial: Paradise Cemetery, Paradise, Butte County, California
+23i.Mark Benedetto5 Di Duca, born 07 31 1925 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+24ii.Dorothy Sondae Di Duca, born 07 28 1927 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+25iii.Joseph Charles Di Duca, born 04 26 1929 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+26iv.Joyce Di Duca, born 09 1 1930 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
27v.Estella Di Duca, born 10 31 1933 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. She married Jerome Meyer; born in New York.
|