Growing up "DeFalco"

 

In Loving Memory of Carmine "Frank" "Ookie"  "Daddio"

 

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I would like to tell you a little bit about our history.

I am the youngest of four children. We grew up in a suburb of Long Island, New York, to Italian parents Connie (Cungie) and Carmine DeFalco, or Frank, as Dad liked to be called. Cungie's family was from Sicily, and Frank's family came from Nola, Italy. Both families settled in New York City in the early 1900's after having come to America.

With both grandfathers, as well as my father, in the butcher business, I have fond memories of hanging meats, salamis, cheeses, and sawdust on the floor. Our life always revolved around the dinner table. The aroma of garlic, onions, and fresh tomato sauce filled our home daily.

Every meal was a special event, consisting of antipasto, bread, meat, pasta, and a vegetable. When we finished all of the above, and I do mean ALL, Mom would then let us have dessert as the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. We weren't allowed to leave the dinner table unless our plate was empty. Needless to say, none of us were ever what you would call skinny!

I have always been inspired by my wonderful parents and the example they set for us. My father worked very hard to provide for his family, while my mother worked just as hard staying home to take care of us. I loved to watch her cook in the kitchen. Everything was made from scratch and took hours and hours to prepare.

Holidays were always a blend of Italian food and traditional American custom. Thanksgiving consisted of meatballs and lasagne at noon, turkey and all the trimmings at four. Christmas was a two day feast, with a menu too long to fit on one page. Any occasion was a special event.  Cungie once travelled 2,000 miles with a pan of frozen lasagne to my brother who was away at college missing mom's pasta!

I have taken on my mother's love of cooking. It has brought joy to so many over the years, so, therefore, we wanted to share it with others.

 

Momma Cungie and I were blessed to have our dream, cooking side by side, at our restaurants in Henderson, Nevada.  Dad and his dog, Snickers, would come to visit nightly, eating the food he savored for over 60 years. They were the best of times.  

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My life " Growing Up DeFalco" was a fairy tale I was honored to live, with many happy memories surrounded by the love of a big family and all of our special moments in time.  I am forever grateful for two stellar examples of hard work, perserverence, dignity, and absolute love, my  amazing parents, and my three incredible siblings.  Add in our spouses  nieces and nephews, and the legacy keeps growing. 

 

We have celebrated so many events over the years, the most remarkable being Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary, at our restaurant, surrounded by our family and friends.

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My beloved Dad, my best friend , Frank, recently went home to our Heavenly Father, just short of 65 years with Mom, taking a piece of each of us with him. We will never be the same...

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Dad was always so proud of his family . He was my biggest cheerleader, my quality control specialist, and for this, I am determined  more than ever to share our love of food, beverage, and making memories with all of you.

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We can bring our signature dishes, beverages, and staffing to your home, office, or favorite venue.  We offer our Italian specialties, as well as many other items per your request.  Our services range from simple delivery in disposable hot tins to china, linen, and five star  events.

  

 We would be happy to help you plan your next gathering, be it a birthday, anniversary, communion, bar mitzvah, graduation, wedding, funeral, or corporate social.  Italians celebrate every occasion.  If it is special to you, it is special to us ! "La Vita e Bella!" 

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Thank you for taking the time to read about us. We look forward to making many more memories with all of you.   We cannot thank you enough for all your support over these past two decades.

 

Sempre Famiglia.

Ciao ~~ Annie

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