Wedding Bells.......

We have pictures of some of the happy couples when they married. Hopefully we will be able to add the rest of them, or just add a nice picture with all the info.


Julia and Harry Callahan - St. Patrick's - June 26, 1939

Lucille and Tom Barron - St. Patrick's - July 15, 1939

Johnny and Norma Crotty - July 4, 1942 in Wilmington, NC

Betty and Willie Rastatter - St. Patrick's - October 31, 1942

Virginia and Mike Jackson - St. Patrick's - March 31, 1943

Our gang....

These pictures speak for themselves......









Rich & Pat - First Holy Communion May 25, 1950

New Contributor

Lucy will be contributing shortly.

Random thoughts continue...

Does anyone remember the light switches in Anna's house that you pushed a button to turn off and another button to turn on?

Remember the door bell that you turned/cranked?

Above Anna's doorbell she had hung a crucifix? When she went to St. Mary's that was hanging either outside her door or was in her room. Richard Barron now has the cross and sent this picture.

In my very early years, I recall a huge radio in the middle room. There was also a desk that had a 'kidney' shape..........also an etagere or curio shelf. On this shelf, there was a 'silver' cocktail service with a pitcher and silver goblets.

Anna's 'modern' bathroom with the very high vanity and sink..........the high vanities are now coming into style.........we have one in our house. After it was in, I remembered the one Anna had.

More Random Thoughts

Who remembers a davenport – a/k/a couch or sofa?

Who remembers a purse being called a pocketbook?

Being told that girls shouldn't whistle because it made the Blessed Mother cry. My mother, Julia, told me that all the time.

How many of the cousins have the gene – drinking beer in small glasses?

The five Crotty sisters all wearing dresses or skirts, nylons & high heels. Only remember Betty occasionally wearing slacks.

Why did Anna use the name Ann instead of Anna? Anna is a great name!!

What did Grandpa Crotty do for a living?

I have often wondered what Grandpa Crotty did for a living. We do know that he ran several taverns. That he served in the Army during the Spanish American War. And I believe that he was a Deputy Sheriff at one time.

Does anyone know more?

Crotty’s West Third St. Residence

Grandpa & Grandma Crotty had lived on West Third St. between Myrtle & Chestnut Streets sometime before moving to 509 Parade St. Grandpa Crotty ran the tavern that sometime later became Sophia’s Tavern. Some may remember that Sophia’s Tavern was across & down the street from where we, the Callahan’s, lived.

The tavern had a residence connected to the back. My mother, Julia, was born there. Her uncle, probably Dr. Wilson, delivered her. She was baptized immediately after birth. There must have been a problem because she was the only one of the nine children that was born at home.

I’m not sure how long they had lived on West Third St. My mom said that the drivers of the beer trucks use to give her & Pierre rides on their trucks until one day Pierre fell off and was seriously hurt.

I wonder if Grandpa Crotty had owned that tavern.

Does anyone know of any other places they may have lived?

Richard may have some resources to help answer my questions.

Mike Rastatter - SpeechEasy

The following is from Willie - as told to Dede, and posted by Rich.

As we look to our past to recall fond memories, it is important to acknowledge where we are going. We come from families that were part of the wave of immigrants that made this country what it is. A lot of family members did not even complete high school, and college was only a far reaching dream.

I have been blessed to be a part of the Crotty clan and want to preserve in this blog the accomplishments of my children. Mike is my second child, and only son. He is currently a professor at East Carolina University.

Mike is part of a team that designed the SpeechEasy device, which has allowed stutterers to speak fluently almost immediately. Mike has been interviewed by ABC News, NBC News, British Broadcasting Corp, and People Magazine about the device.

If you do a Google search on SPEECH EASY, you can see testimonials from people that this has helped. You can also do a Google search on U S Patent 5961443.

A person can have no better legacy that helping others.

Aunts and Uncles

Dede's comment about marrying into the family prompted me to send what I wrote about her dad.Most of my memories of my great aunts and uncles come from Anna's parties in the 1970's. I remember the unique smell of the back "shed", empty except for storage of beer and pop. No matter the time of year it was an uncomfortable temperature. We kids used to like to play behind Anna's vanity dresser in the winter. In the summer, we played on the porch which turned our hands black. What I remember most about the grown ups was poker and laughter. Harry Callahan told jokes that made people peal with laughter. I never got the jokes. But, because I was often shy around my cousins, I would sit near my parents in the crowded, smokey kitchen and listen to the adults. This is why I was witness to one poignant memory.It was a warm summer party at Anna's when a new widower came late to the party. He seemed nervous to me and he began to cry and tried to leave the party. Next thing I knew, the Crotty sister's jumped up in unison. (Of course this woke me up from my casual day dreaming). My grandmother (Lucille) reached out to him and said, "Mike, you are part of the family, now stay". He composed himself and started to relax. I remember he turned to me and gave me a "High five". This must have begun the infatuation my cousins and I had for Mike Jackson. We always expected "high fives" after that.Something struck me as significant at the last Crotty reunion. We have all moved across the United States chasing our dreams and assuming we are just the average American from the melting pot. But, I came to realize that I too have ethinic roots. It's some kind of Irish, Catholic, blue collar, industrial, Great Lakes, beer drinking roots where families laugh and love in their unique way. (over beer that is).

The Veterans

Richard Crotty









Richard Crotty was a sergeant in Company A of the 15th Pennsylvania Regiment during the Spanish-American War. He is in the front row in the center with his arms crossed. This picture was photographed from a book that used to be in the Heritage Room at the Erie County Public Library when the library was located on Perry Square. The book disappeared some time ago. (Click on the write-up to enlarge).

Anna Crotty

If I remember correctly, Anna said that one day during the war, she decided to go up to the recruiter's to inquire about the Woman's Auxiliary Army Corps - WAAC. She came home and announced that she had joined! This raised quite a stir in the family. In early 1943 she attended Administrative School in Daytona Beach, Florida. She then was posted to Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Later that year the WAAC was converted to Woman's Army Corps WAC. As a WAC Anna served as a Supply Clerk with the rank of corporal. She was discharged in early December, 1945.

John Crotty

Johnny was drafted into the Army in August 1941. He was in the Ninth Air Force Service Command, which serviced the fighter planes and bombers. He was stationed in England and went with the D-Day invasion into France.

The following shows a letter which was given to the troops as the D-DAY invasion began. It is from General Eisenhower. There are also two pictures which were taken following the Liberation of Paris. One is of Johnny holding a baby in the French countryside in 1944, and the other shows him as a victorious American soldier holding a tattered American flag.

Richard Crotty

All that is know about Richard's militay service is that it earned him the right to be buried in Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island in New York.

Michael Jackson

Mike was in the Army from June 25, 1942 until December 19, 1945. In 1943 he was stationed at Camp Howze, Texas. He was in the 86th infantry division, 404th field artillery battalion. The 86th was also know as the Blackhawk Division. His Military Operational Speciality (MOS) was 814 - Operations NCO. Steve Barron, who is currently an Army lieutenant wrote the following:

An operations NCO would assist in running the operations center ( a TOC, Tactical Operations Center). In my day, we have our TOC filled with digital maps with live feed showing where all the troops are in sector. Soldiers send reports to the TOC, and their Stryker vehicles send off an encrypted FM signal that transmits back to the TOC so we can see their location at all times. We project live video streams from un-manned aircraft and show this in the TOC, amongst many other digital methods. Mike Jackson would probably manage the TOC in a similar way. In his day, he probably received continuous reports over an AM radio, and compiled reports for the Commander. He would update a paper map with symbols showing the status of everything on the battlefield. He would manage all the soldiers who would be constantly monitoring reports from troops on the ground. He would have to maintain clear situational awareness at all times to brief any high ranking officer who came by at any time.

Mike kept a record of his European tour of duty. It follows (click on each page to enlarge).

After Victory in Europe (VE Day), the 86th returned to New York. After a short leave they were off to the Philippines. Dede has a copy of a map showing the return route from the Philippines, and a 'certificate' that shows he crossed the dateline on August 27, 1945. Mike came back on the USS Adm Hugh Rodman.

William Rastatter

Willie (Bill) was a Staff Sergeant in the Army, and was stationed at Frederick Army Airfield, Frederick, Oklahoma. He was a Physical Training Instructor training pilots PT, how to land after a jump, hand to hand combat, and how to protect themselves and a lot more. He also served at Randolph Field, San Antonio, TX. He was up for promotion to Sergeant Major, and the war ended.

(Click on newspaper clipping to unlarge)


Norma Crotty

Norma was a registered nurse in the Army Nurse Corp. She spent most of her service time at the 809th Army Air Force depot in Erie, and then with the VA. Later she was employed at St. Vincent's.

Below is her graduation picture from St. Alexis College in Cleveland, Ohio in 1941.

Aunt Hannah...

Aunt Hannah.....it seemed like she was a permanent fixture in Anna's living room....I remember her smoking and being cranky.....she would give me money to go to the corner store to buy her some candy bars. She would give me a quarter and I had to get her five candy bars. I would go back to Anna's and give her the candy bars....she would stick them in her pocket and never give me one. As a kid, I thought that was very mean. I guess I still think it was kind of mean!!

I have memories of her living on East 5th street in the same flat that Uncle Humphrey lived in.

-

The following is by Richard -

I don't really remember too much about Aunt Hannah. She was born in 1875 and died on May 17, 1960 at the age of 85. Some time in the 1950's, Anna told her mother's sister that she could come and live with her. One thing that sticks in my mind was that Anna gave up her TV chair so that Hannah could sit there. I remember a few times Anna came over to talk with my mother because she was so upset over Aunt Hannah.

My mom related this story. She had always admired a ring with a blue stone that Aunt Hannah wore. She told Hannah that she liked the ring, and if someday she no longer wanted the ring, could she have it. She gave it to mom. It was Hannah's engagement ring, and when the engagement was broken she just kept the ring.

-

This picture is of Aunt Hannah in 1952.

More random thoughts...

...Did you know that I have Grandma Crotty's wedding ring? It is a plain gold band.
...What did Aunt Hannah do for a living?
...Do you remember Aunt Hannah sitting in the chair in Anna's house....all the time?
...Was Aunt Hannah as much of a curmudgeon as I remember?
...From our great great grandfather, David Crotty (Ireland in the early 1800's) and all the descendants, there are currently only 3 male Crottys left in our branch of the family? PD did not have sons and Richard had Johnny who had Mike who has two sons (John and Tim). No pressure, boys!

Memories of Mike...

I don’t think we can fully acknowledge our growing up without also paying homage to the brave men and women that married into the Crotty Family!
These brave souls did not just marry their intended, they married the whole family. We all need to share their story.
While reading through the Cousins15 blog, I realized that one very important person (to me, anyway) was my Dad, Mike Jackson.
Memories of my Dad, a great sense of humor, a ready smile, and total love for his family. He was first and foremost a family man…and his family included all the Crottys as well as the Jacksons. There was no difference to him. Family was family.
He had nicknames for some of the cousins, and always affectionately referred to Uncle Tom as "The Barron". He would set out on Saturdays and to go "around the block". This was Mike speak for going to the Callahans and/or Anna’s for a beer (or Mozdy’s or Sophies). He could always be convinced to have just one more….
When I was a senior at St. Ben’s, we had a Dad and Grad banquet. The night before the banquet, I came home and found him sitting on the couch with 2 front teeth missing!! I was horrified…how was he going to go to the banquet? He gave me this huge gap toothed grin and said nobody would notice….he looked awful!! My mother was sitting there staring intently at theTV not saying a word and ignoring me. Finally, he started laughing and pulled out a small black candy wrapper that he had stuck to his teeth. I was saved!! He would not look awful…..we went to the banquet…I had never noticed before that my father had good table manners…….It was very evident when compared to some of my friends fathers. I was so proud. After the banquet, he and I went to the Turners. Elsie Campbell was playing the piano. We sat at the bar, Dad had a beer, and I had a pop. I was 17 and felt so grown up. I have a picture (thanks Richie) taken that night in front of Anna’s, that I will add later.
Dad always helped everyone, not expecting anything in return.
Dad was born in Avoca, Pa on March 17, 1912. Extremely proud to be 100% Irish and born on that day. His parents were Will and Annie Jackson. He was one of 5 children, all gone now. After graduating from high school, he hung around Avoca for a while. There were no jobs there, except for the coal mines. He went to New York City and lived with a distant cousin while working for Horn and Hardart (an automat). I do not know how long he stayed, but at some point decided to move on. This was in the middle to late depression, and jobs were scarce. He relocated to the thriving metropolis of Erie, PA. When he came to Erie, he lived with his cousin, John Tormey and his wife Margaret at 304 Myrtle Street. This is where the relationships get interesting.
While living there, he worked at Parker White Metal (I believe), but I don’t know for how long. When WWII began, Uncle Sam tapped him on the shoulder, and he was in the Army. At some point during this time, he met my mother. Dad’s other cousin, Leo Tormey and wife Elizabeth, lived in the other half of the duplex with Julia and Harry. To complicate this further, Elizabeth and Harry were cousins. During my Dad’s stint in the Army, he met and married Virginia and 6 year old Nancy!! Like most that have served during war time, he did not talk about it. I believe that he was infantry and served in Germany and possibly the Phillipines too.
When Dad got out of the Army, they moved into the little house at 411 East 5th St. Dad took a civil service test for the post office and was qualified for a job in Pittsburgh. They elected not to go….it was either the fact that they were expecting me (!) or they just didn’t want to leave Erie. They stayed, I was born, and the rest is history.
We moved to Eagle Point when I was 4………It was a little house, but I loved it. Dad stayed on after my mother died, but was lonely and decided to move to Houston and live with us. I think it was more a decision to be closer to his little grandson, Kevin Michael.
An important side note here, Dad and Mom were looking forward to his retirement so they could kick back and enjoy life and to spend more time with Nancy and I. Mom died before this happened. When I decided to retire at age 58, one of the 20 reasons that I retired was so that I could truly enjoy my life, my husband, my children and grandchildren. Life is too short…..grab it while you can!!
Dad brought many laughs to all of us during his life and I thank him for being the strong man that he was. I still think about him.

Richard and Julia Sullivan Crotty Descendants

24 Jan 2008
Descendants of Richard J. Crotty

1 Richard J. Crotty b: 07 Dec 1874 in Erie, PA d: 22 Apr 1950 in Erie, Pa
+Julia Sullivan b: 12 Jul 1876 in Erie, PA d: 04 Sep 1950 in Erie, PA
_ 2 David Crotty b: 12 Oct 1904 in Erie, PA d: 16 Jul 1975 in Erie, PA
___ +Mary Sinnott
_____ 3 Tom Shrenk
_______ +Betty
_ 2 Richard Crotty b: 25 Oct 1905 in Erie, PA d: 16 Jun 1981 in New York, NY
_ 2 Pierre Crotty b: 01 May 1909 in Erie, PA d: 09 Feb 1963 in Erie, PA
___ +Helen Blossey b: Abt. 1910 d: 26 Jan 1987 in Erie, PA
_ 2 Julia Crotty b: 03 Jul 1910 in Erie, PA d: 25 Oct 1997 in Erie, PA
___ +Harry Callahan b: 30 Mar 1914 in Pittston, Pa d: 05 Oct 1999 in Erie, PA
_____ 3 Mary Ann Callahan b: 27 Nov 1940 in Erie, PA
_______ +Stanley C. Niedzielski, Jr b: 18 Apr 1940 in Erie, PA d: 25 May 1991 in Erie,
PA
________ 4 Kimberly Niedzielski b: 21 Nov 1967 in Erie, PA
__________ +Christopher Lucas b: 15 Mar 1966 in Erie, PA
____________ 5 Zachary Lucas b: 27 Mar 1989 in Erie, PA
____________ 5 Julia Lucas b: 05 Nov 1993 in Erie, PA
________ 4 Karen Niedzielski b: 27 Sep 1969 in Erie, PA
__________ +Gregory Feltenberger b: 19 Sep 1969 in Erie, PA
____________ 5 Brittany M. Feltenberger b: 24 Oct 1989 in Yokoto Air Base, JAPAN
____________ 5 Aaron S. Feltenberger b: 05 Mar 1992 in Yokoto Air Base, JAPAN
________ *Partner of Karen Niedzielski:
__________ +Michael Warren b: 17 Feb 1958 in Erie, PA
________ 4 Kristen Niedzielski b: 22 Sep 1975 in Erie, PA
__________ +Matthew Bruschi b: 30 Aug 1964 in Erie, PA
____________ 5 Luke Stanley Bruschi b: 14 Sep 2007 in Erie, PA
____________ 5 Maria Rose Bruschi b: 14 Sep 2007 in Erie, PA
________ 4 Stanley Niedzielski b: 07 Oct 1978 in Erie, PA
_____ 3 Patrick Callahan b: 29 Jul 1942 in Erie, PA
_______ +Angie Gruenwald b: 14 Dec 1943
________ 4 Patrick Callahan b: 11 Mar 1961 in Quonset Point, RI
__________ +Jane M. Schnider b: 27 Oct 1960 in Pittsburgh, Pa
____________ 5 Megan Julia Callahan b: 24 Aug 1991 in Chicago, IL
________ *2nd Wife of Patrick Callahan:
__________ +Renee E. Harrington b: 21 Nov 1961 in Warren, Pa
____________ 5 Martin Gehrlein b: 09 Mar 1981
______________ +Hilary Rectenwald b: 27 Dec 1980
________ 4 Freida Callahan b: 11 Nov 1962
__________ +Ronald Donohue b: 12 Apr 1960
____________ 5 Jennifer Donohue b: 22 Dec 1981
______________ +John Richard Anderson b: 18 Aug 1982 in Little Rock, Arkansas
________________ 6 Naomi Amari Lamb b: 14 Nov 2002
________________ 6 Mariah Alena Anderson b: 19 Nov 2007
____________ 5 Blane Donohue b: 28 Mar 1985
____________ 5 Joseph Donahue b: 24 Jun 1986
____________ 5 David Donohue b: 27 Feb 1989
_____ *2nd Wife of Patrick Callahan:
_______ +Carole Charney b: 19 Aug 1942 in Rimersburg, Pa d: 14 Sep 2000 in Erie, PA
________ 4 Michelle Callahan b: 09 Sep 1969 in Erie, PA
________ 4 Erin Callahan b: 21 Jul 1971 in Erie, PA
__________ +Sean Michael Spinelli b: 16 May 1972 in Erie, PA
____________ 5 Noah Sean Patrick Spinelli b: 17 Dec 2007 in Erie, PA
_____ 3 Harry Callahan b: 27 Sep 1944 in Erie, PA
_____ 3 David Callahan b: 15 Nov 1948 in Erie, PA d: 05 Jun 1969 in Viet Nam
_____ 3 William Callahan b: 30 Mar 1951 in Erie, PA
_______ +Marie Bruno b: 22 Aug 1951 in Erie, PA
________ 4 Kati Callahan b: 27 Nov 1983 in Erie, PA
________ 4 Kevin Callahan b: 16 Sep 1987 in Erie, PA
_ 2 Virginia Crotty b: 30 Aug 1911 in Erie, PA d: 26 Nov 1975 in Erie, Pa
___ +Albert Barber b: 01 Jan 1902 d: 31 Dec 1940 in Erie, PA
_____ 3 Nancy Barber Jackson b: 25 Mar 1937
_______ +John Mozart b: 30 Apr 1930 d: 21 Jan 2006 in Mentor, Ohio
________ 4 Melanie Mozart b: 06 Jul 1955
__________ +Patrick Mahoney
____________ 5 Colleen Mahoney b: 25 Sep 1985
________ *2nd Husband of Melanie Mozart:
__________ +Richard Providente
_ *2nd Husband of Virginia Crotty:
___ +Michael P. Jackson b: 17 Mar 1912 in Avoca, PA d: 23 Dec 1979 in Houston, TX
_____ 3 Doris Margaret Jackson b: 20 Sep 1946 in Erie, PA
_______ +Richard Zacks b: 08 Jun 1944 in Erie, PA
________ 4 Kevin Zacks b: 19 Nov 1973 in Houston, TX
__________ +Amy Grubb b: 10 Apr 1976 in Huntingdon, PA
____________ 5 Jeffrey Zacks b: 19 Nov 2001 in Harrisburg, Pa.
____________ 5 Erin Zacks b: 18 Aug 2003 in Harrisburg, Pa.
________ 4 Robin Zacks b: 12 Nov 1982 in Houston, TX
__________ +Anthony Grosso b: 16 Oct 1983 in Houston, TX
____________ 5 Aubrey Celeste Grosso b: 19 Apr 2006 in Whidbey Island, Wa
_ 2 Anne Crotty b: 20 Nov 1912 in Erie, PA d: 01 Apr 1999 in Erie, PA
_ 2 Lucille Crotty b: 15 Jul 1914 in Erie, PA d: 20 Jan 2007 in Erie, PA
___ +Thomas Barron b: 27 Jan 1914 in Windsor, Ontario, CANADA d: 22 Jul 1998 in
Erie, PA
_____ 3 Richard Barron b: 16 Jun 1942 in Erie, PA
_______ +Barbara Whitbeck b: 27 Mar 1948 in Meadville, Pa
________ 4 Julie Barron b: 12 Nov 1968 in Meadville, Pa
__________ +Robert McCracken b: 07 Jun 1968
____________ 5 Michael McCracken b: 14 Dec 1993
____________ 5 Meghan McCracken b: 16 Jun 1998
________ 4 Michael Barron b: 11 Feb 1971 in Meadville, Pa
__________ +Michelle Sundberg b: 21 Mar 1969
____________ 5 Molly R. Barron b: 29 May 1991
_____ 3 Thomas Barron b: 03 Feb 1944 in Erie, PA
_______ +Margie Boyle b: 04 Jan 1947
________ 4 Christopher Barron b: 26 Jul 1972
____________ 5 Kyle Barron b: 15 Jun 1996
________ 4 Andrew Barron b: 20 Aug 1975 in Erie, PA
_____ *2nd Wife of Thomas Barron:
_______ +Patricia Johnson b: 07 Jan 1948
________ 4 Heidi Wolf b: 30 Sep 1972
____________ 5 Michael Wolf b: 23 Jun 1993
________ 4 Trista DeSanti b: 09 Aug 1974
____________ 5 Alexis DeSanti b: 23 Mar 1994
____________ 5 Christopher DeSanti b: 21 May 1996
_____ 3 David Barron b: 02 Mar 1949 in Erie, PA
_______ +Sandra Connick b: 07 Jan 1952 in Conneautville, Pa
________ 4 Steven Barron b: 18 Aug 1982 in Washington, DC
__________ +Ashlea Novalis b: 31 Dec 1982 in Wheeling, WV
________ 4 Jeffrey Barron b: 02 Sep 1985 in Erie, PA
_ 2 John P. Crotty b: 09 Apr 1916 in Erie, PA d: 13 Jun 1986 in Erie, PA
___ +Norma Chellis b: 27 Feb 1919 d: 03 Oct 1977 in Erie, PA
_____ 3 Patricia Crotty b: 02 Jul 1951 in Erie, PA
_____ 3 Michael P. Crotty b: 21 May 1953 in Erie, PA
_______ +Christine E. Hess b: 07 Nov 1956 in Warren, Pa
________ 4 Mary Margaret Crotty b: 24 Jan 1984 in Warren, Pa
________ 4 John Hess Crotty b: 03 Feb 1986 in Cocoa Beach, FL
________ 4 Timothy M. Crotty b: 17 Feb 1988 in Cocoa Beach, FL
_ 2 Betty Crotty b: 17 Apr 1917 in Erie, PA d: 08 Mar 1999 in Erie, PA
___ +William Rastatter b: 28 Oct 1916
_____ 3 Lucy Rastatter b: 31 May 1949 in Erie, PA
_______ +Joseph Cappello b: 27 Sep 1946 in Erie, PA
________ 4 Sarah Cappello b: 03 Nov 1974
________ 4 Daniel Cappello b: 24 May 1977
_____ 3 Michael P. Rastatter b: 13 Oct 1950 in Erie, PA
_______ +Colette M. Vetter b: 13 Jul 1955 in Portsmouth, OH d: 26 Oct 2007 in
Greenville, NC
________ 4 David M. Rastatter b: 01 Sep 1980 in Bowling Green, Oh
__________ +Heather Currie b: 01 Oct 1976 in Lumberton, NC
____________ 5 Jack Michael Rastatter b: 28 Jan 2006
________ 4 Brian W. Rastatter b: 14 Jul 1982 in Bowling Green, Oh
__________ +Alyssa Schumitz b: 02 Sep 1983
____________ 5 Jasen Brice Rastatter b: 17 Jul 2006
_____ 3 Anne Sullivan b: 11 Sep 1956 in Erie, PA

Random thoughts from the middle grandchild...

....Remember the skating parties that St. Pat's used to have at the rink on Payne Avenue?
....And Lucille used to skate with us?
....the Little Flower Novenas in October?
....Uncle Tom trying to get everybody to be still for photos?
....the cemetary bench that used to be at our house and is now in Houston?
....how Doris become Dede, 2 Davids became DaDa, William became Bumpy?
....going up in the attic at Anna's and discovering stuff? like Grampa's Spanish American War Flag?
....Great Uncle Humphrey living in the house at 5th and Wallace?
....Aunt Hannah also living on E. 5th, then having to move in with Anna?
....Mike Mulligan with his boisterous personality?
....Picnics at the 'schoolhouse' in North East? (owned by Lucy, Mary, and Anita, I think)
....Picnics at Turners Farm? our food all prepped at home and taken there. Kegs of beer and planters peanuts in the shell?
....Italian food at Hectors (?) on Liberty Street
....Sleepovers?
....East Erie Turners? Special dinners there...Elsie Campbell playing the piano?
....Lucille and Tom Dancing? Betty and Willie dancing?
....The basketball games at the Cauley when we were in grade school?
....The mysterious 3rd floor of St. Pat's school?
....The sunken gym at St. Pat's? While I was there, it was converted to a lunch room. The nuns patrolled us from the top of the railing.
....Sledding on Frontier hill?
....Taking Nolan's ferry service to the peninsula?
....Betty TRYING to teach me how to dive and then giving up?
....Chestnut pool? taking your sandwich and a bottle of pop with you?

As more lovely, but useless thought ramble through my head, I am going to add to this. This is a work in progress!!

Memories of Virginia...

I am finding that writing about your own parents is extremely difficult. My mother, first and foremost a Crotty. A complex person to say the least, but I think that is a trait that all the Crottys shared.

The picture above is from her Senior year at East HS (1928-1929). Note in the yearbook entry her nickname was Tinny. I believe that the one on the right was taken by the family photog, Tom Barron, probably in the 1940's.

An extremely smart woman.........she was valedictorian of her HS graduating class, but froze and couldn't give her speech. She had a scholarship to Villa Maria College, but elected not to go.........she said they were snobs. She worked during WWII at the Lord Corp. The Navy took over Lord's during the war and she was a secretary for a Navy man there. (thanks for remembering this, Richie!)

My earliest memories of Mom are in the kitchen at 411 East 5th St. Don't remember what she was cooking or doing, but I remember her being there. I also remember Richie, Tommy, and I playing in the back shed on 5th Street.

When we moved to Eagle Point, my memories are also of the kitchen. (food thing again!) Each Monday she did laundry.......if it was nice, the clothes got hung outside....in inclement weather, they were hung in the basement. Tuesdays were ironing day.

The most memorable part of Mondays was that she would bake.When she baked, it was all from scratch....Mayonnaise cake, spice cake, apple pie, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, nut bread. I have most of these recipes on note paper in my mothers handwriting....priceless.

I would climb on the chair and watch her. We talked, but I don't remember about what. One distinct memory was the smell of vanilla.......I loved to smell it and thought it would taste wonderful. She gave me a taste and of course it was awful! I still love the smell of vanilla and it reminds me of my mother. She also used to let me eat chocolate chip cookie dough. When she baked a pie, she would take the leftover pieces of the crust, spread some butter and cinnamon sugar on the pieces. I would then get to roll them up, and she would slice them and then bake them. I thought I was baking and they were wonderful!! I also remember waldorf salad.............I have not had this since I was a kid. We used to have either parnips or turnips on Thanksgiving day.

On particularly sharp memory is going out to play in the snow....coming in to the house freezing!! I would stand on the register to toast my feet..I would then sit down and Mom would rub my feet. She always had dry warm socks waiting for me to put on..........she would lay them on the register until I came in the house.

As I became a teenager, I was convinced that my mother didn't know anything..........boy, was I wrong! After I married and Kevin was born, I truly realized that mothers know just about everything. When Kevin was about 3 months old, he had a bad upper respiratory infection....he wouldn't take a bottle. I called good old Mom. She told me to just feed him his formula from a spoon...she reminded me his nose was all stopped up and when you stuck a bottle in his mouth, he couldn't breathe. I tried it and it worked.

Mom has been gone over half of my life. I still think of her often.

Erie....the center of the universe

Well, not really the center of the universe, but it was to us growing up....5th and Parade, that is. Gramma and Grampa always lived in Erie, 8 of the aunts and uncles did also. There were other places to see and to visit, but Erie was home.

As our generation grew up, some of us established our lives and families far away from Erie. Of the 15 of us, we live in Ohio, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and some still remain in Erie.

Our children live in Washington, Pennsylvania (other than Erie), Texas, Kansas, New York, New Jersey, West Viriginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, and of course Erie. We have one doing a semester in Japan, and one providing military service in Iraq. God Bless you, Steve and keep you safe.

Wow!! we sure have spread out!!

As I think about home, the first thought that comes to mind is the home and family that I grew up with. I have been gone from Erie for almost 39 years!! But thoughts of Erie still brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.

I believe that as a group, we have made efforts to stay connected. Email and this wonderful blog that Richie created are two ways we can recall the past fondly and remain part of each other going forward.

Recalling memories and creating new ones........

Memories of Pierre and Helen

The thing I remember most about Pierre, is how do you spell "Peery"? I always wondered about that.

My memories of Pierre and Helen are not as abundant as those of the rest of the family. I remember them living in strange little apartments...one that I remember was on lower State Street. I recall Helen as a very sweet lady, but very nervous or ill at ease around all of us. (I guess we were an intimidating bunch!)

I do remember when Pierre was the janitor at Edison school. I was in the second grade in Mrs. McGovern's class and was sitting in the first row. (probably because I talked so much!) He came in to empty the trash and said "Hi, Dede!" I was so embarassed because all the kids laughed at the name Dede (they knew me as Doris) I also think some of the laughs were because my uncle was a janitor.

As a kid, I had attended numerous funerals of the Sullivan sisters. When Pierre died, I believe that I was 16 or 17. It was the first time that I really locked into the fact that my parents could die too and I wasn't ready for that.

Hindsight working now, I wish I had known them better. This picture is from Richie Barron. Inscription reads :Geom Class East HS 1924".

Crotty legacy

We know that Grandpa's father was David, and that he died on December 10, 1876, aged 28 years and 8 months. The 1871-72 City Directory has the following two entries:

Crotty, David Jr., Saloon, 410 State - Boards at Wm. Power
Crotty, David, Blacksmith helper, Erie Car Works - Boards at Wm. Power

I believe David Jr. is our great-grandfather. Is the other David his father or cousin?

Who is Wm. Power? Was he grandma Powers husband? (When my mother was young she said the family sometimes mentioned grandma Powers, but she wasn't sure who she was).

The cemetery records have a P. Crotty as being buried in the same lot as grandma, grandpa and David Crotty. Who was this P. Crotty?

When did the Crotty's come to Erie? Where in Ireland did they live? Who were David Crotty's parents?

What did grandpa do during the Spanish-American War?



Answers to these and other questions may have been answered by the contents in the attic of 509 Parade St. In the summer of 1946 the house was sold to the Filipkowski's. One day before they moved in, I was riding my tricycle up the sidewalk past the house. I heard a crash and looked in the narrow area between 509 and 511. There on the ground was a lot of "junk"! Anna was in the attic on the 3rd floor, and was throwing everything out the window. I quickly went home and told my mother that "Anna was throwing stuff out the window"! She quickly ran up to 509. She was upset with Anna. After awhile, my mother picked up two antique picture frames. Nothing else was done. Everything was lost.

Mike Jackson

Mike occasionally stopped by Anna's to have a quick beer when he was out and about. Whenever he saw Tommy, he'd say "What do you know, Moe?", and Tommy would reply "Not much, Joe". He always called me Long-John.

Memories of Johnny and Norma....

I cannot recall memories of Johnny and Norma without going into the recent past. In February of 2006, Rick and I were in Florida with his brother. I called Little Ann and Mike to arrange to meet for lunch.

While driving to our lunch spot, I was trying to think of how long it had been since I had seen Mike. I pictured him as a much younger man with reddish hair....It had been 20 years plus since we had seen each other. We got out of our car, and a man was walking toward me and said "Hello, Dede"........my heart skipped a beat.......he reminded me so much of Uncle Johnny. If he had greeted me with "Hiya Kid" (the typical Johnny greeting), I probably woul have fainted. More on this later.

Johnny and Norma............the house on Charlotte Street.....I remember Christmas....Norma made doll clothes for Patty's dolls...........and Norma made the best fudge!! What was it called?? Here I go with the food thing again. As Richie mentioned in his blog, Johnny would go into his 'when I was the durango kid...' routine.

Patty and Mike were such quiet kids compared to the rest of us hooligans......

Norma....so assured, red nails, hair kinda swept back in a 1940's style. I remember picnics in that big back yard......Norma made popsicles that were yummy (food thing again). I remember that she liked to play cards.

Their collie..........what a beautiful dog. Why do I think his name was Mike, but then changed to Bummy when Mike was born??

I remember Gooie.........didn't she live on East 5th Street? Again, I also thought she was a relative of mine.

Fast forward to 2006.......when Rick, Mike, Ann and I met for lunch, I couldn't help but wonder what we would talk about........boy was I wrong!! The hours melted away as we all caught up on our lives, and reminsced about our past.

The idea for a cousins reunion started after Jack Mozart died. When we had lunch that day in Florida, we really decided to go forward and do it. It was a wonderful afternoon that we all hated to see end.....but it started a beautiful connection with all of the cousins.

Memories of Betty and Willie...

When I think about Betty and Willie, I immediately picture Betty of the 1950's era. Black hair pulled back in a bun, dressed to the nines, and very high heels....always the character. And her laugh!!! Willie.......just being Willie, now the last of the aunts and uncles.

I remember their house on East Lake Road........first with just Lucy and Mike, and then little Ann made her debut. I was going to St. Pat's then and rode the bus. I would stop after school, just to see the baby, and Betty would let me hold her. Such a big thrill!!

At Christmas time, the room off the living room (sun room?) would have a huge tree......in my child's mind it was the biggest tree ever. When I would go over there, they had no backyard, so Lucy, Mike, and I would run through the house like wild indians!

When I made my first communion, the Rastatters came to it....Lucy and Mike were dressed up so cute. We have a picture (attached)of the 3 of us on Eagle Point on that day. My dress was scratchy and Lucy and Mike looked uncomfortable in their church clothes.

Betty and Willie moved alot....it was always an adventure to see where they moved next. I remember the downstairs flat across from St. Pat's church. Also the house on 5th st next to St. Pat's school....little Ann would stand and peek through the fence at the kids on the playground....she was such a solemn child!! I think she was trying to figure out the world and her place in it.

I also remember the flat on Parade Street between 6th and 7th.

I remember the picture of little Ann and butchy dog looking out the front window....like they were waiting for someone to come home. Did uncle Tom take that one?

When I was a freshman at St. Ben's we were allowed to bring a younger child to school one day...I think it was for a Christmas program and we were encouraged to bring little ones. Betty let me take Ann to school. I was so proud of her. She would have been around 4 yrs old.

Turnwald (aka Turners Farm) I remember Mike falling in the creek and me pulling him out. I don't think any of us were supposed to be down there.

I remember Mrs. Razanauskas and Stanley in the house on Ash between 5th and 6th. Mrs. R made the best pickles ever.......every time I eat a dill pickle, I mentally compare it to those. I remember Lucy and I made dill pickles and peanut butter sandwiches at our house on Eagle Point. They were pretty tasty.

I also remember that when Lucy ate, she either ate one thing all at once OR she had to make sure no food was touching another...not sure which it was.

My mother loved pickled pigs feet (yuck). She would get them from Betty....did Mrs. R. do those also??

I remember Madeline and Paul Eighmy.....for years I thought I was related to them!!

When I was in my teens or early 20's, they lived on East 6th st. During their later years, they moved to Florida and then back to what little Pat refers to as 'the center of the universe, Erie'.

Dear Uncle Willie.........I can't wait until he gets online again to get his wonderful jokes and his prayers for all of us.

Has anyone noticed...

Most of my memories seem centered around food??

Memories of Anna...

Memories of Anna....505 Parade Street. We all have many Anna stories to share......sitting around her kitchen table.......lots of beer for the grown ups and Rola pop for the kids. Planters peanuts, swiss cheese in a dish with mold on it.........you just scraped off the mold and ate the good parts (I still do this). She introduced all of us to epicurean delights....boiled shrimp, lobster tails, good cuts of steak. I remember one time when she cooked duck....I remember not liking it. Does anyone remember when she would bake a whole roaster pan of chicken wings?
Going to Turnwald (aka Turners Farm) in the summer....Anna always brought the huge bag of Planters peanuts in the shell. When we had our reunion last year, little Pat and I tried to figure out a way we could have the peanuts in the shell......but made a grown up decision that it would be too much of a mess that we would have to clean up.
Anna was always ready and raring to go for any adventure or for a chance to visit her sisters, brothers, and nieces and nephews. She made many trips to our home in Houston.
I have in my house the bottle opener that she had at 505. Most beer bottles now are twist off, but the opener will always be here.
When I learned how to knit when I was about 10, Anna wanted me to knit her an afghan. She and I went to Trasks and bought pink and green yarn, and I proceeded to make a bunch of little squares. My mother sewed them together. While Anna was still in the house, she gave it back to me.....my daughter Robin has already called dibs on it.
On Christmas eve, after I was married and gone from Erie, I waited that night for the call from the gang at Anna's. After saying hi to everyone, I knew that the Christmas tradition was still alive and she made sure Iwas still part of it.

Remember the glass of dimes she collected and kept in her cupboard? When you reached a certain age, you were given a key to Anna's house....a rite of passage that you eagerly looked forward to......you were welcome at Anna's any time.

Anna loved her 15 nieces and nephews unconditionally.