Criscuolo - The next generation

By the time Nicola died, all but Andrea (remember Bob) had done their bit to carry on the bloodline of the Criscuolos of Pontone di Scala.

Giolina (prosaically known as Julie) had had three gorgeous children (Iolanda, Andrea and Rita Maria). Iolanda came to be known as Nonnie (an anglicization of the Italian word for grandmother, Nonna) because she was what might have been called an 'old fashioned woman'. Andrea was generally known as Boysie (for reasons that escape me) and Rita managed to keep her given name.

Marie had brought a daughter, June, into the world. Amelia (Millie) had also had a daughter whom she called Sylvia.

Tony, despite marrying twice, never had kids. He'd sent his first wife Helen to America during the war to protect her from the Blitz. Unfortunately, she died in the States during childbirth and the child died with her.

Alfred (grampa) had sired his only son (my father) Tony and Lou and Ann had brought their only son Robert into the light.

Bob, following his siblings' example restricted himself to one child - Rachel - in 1948. The only grandchild that Nicola never lived to see.

I find it kind of strange that, coming from a large family as they did, all but Giolina resisted the temptation to have any more than one child. Fortunately, as you will see eventually, the next generation redeemed themselves on this score.

It also strikes me that Julie was the only one that upheld the Italian traditions. She married a nice Italian boy. She gave her kids Italian names. The kids had nicknames (that's important). She and Giovanni never changed their surname. I like to think that that was born out of stubbornness but more of that later.

For all of these people, Pontone had become a word. A place that existed only in history. A place that had no real exitence except in connection with their father. Their world now lie in London ... and the home counties.