This is from a little book written by Joel Valenti in 1951 entitled "God Bless America - A biography of George Corrado" It gives us some insight about life in Calabria at the turn of the century and immigrating to America.
JoAnn Grizutto,Volz:
In this land of abundance and modern comforts the average boy of seven, whose chief preoccupation today is the fact that something my interfere
with his favorite televised program, cannot understand that in another
country, fifty-six years ago, a boy of his own age had to work and earn his
own bread to keep from starving. And how can a child brought up among
sterilized milk bottles, scientific formulas, be-ribboned bassinettes,
fancy bathinettes and cushioned cribs, be expected to realize that there
have been and still are children in the world who have never had enough
milk, an adequate meal, a warm bath or a decent bed. Click Here...
George Corrado. Return...
This is, however, the case of George Corrado. Yet, who can tell what
proportion of the children raised in the midst of all these modern luxuries
and with so many wonderful opportunities awaiting them, will attain as much
success, as they grow up, as our good friend whose stimulating life story
you are about to read.
My husband and I have known George Corrado for over sixteen years. He is
one of the most successful businessmen in the community, He is the owner of
a feed mill in his town which is the largest in Herkimer County, N.Y., and
also of the largest feed retail store located in the county seat of
Herkimer. George Corrado is highly esteemed by the townspeople. As a
result, in 1947 he was elected trustee of the village of Frankfort, in the
fall of 1949 councilman of the town of Frankfort and on March 20, 1951 by a
large plurality he became Mayor of Frankfort. His hospitality is well
known and his house is always open to his friends. He and his charming
wife play hosts in a warm, sincere manner which makes one feel right at
home. The house the Corrados live in is over 150 years old, as far as the
shell is concerned, but inside it tells a different story. It boasts of
the most up-to-date General Electric Kitchen and of many other modern
gadgets which make life easy and pleasant. His cellars are stocked with
the finest wines, liquor and delicacies for George Corrado likes a fine
home, excellent food and comforts of all kind.
George Corrado stands about six feet tall. He is a well built, fair
skinned, blue-eyed, handsome man with a mop of white hair and a warm,
winning personality, which together with his keen business mind have helped
him to achieve his vast success in business. He is also open minded and
progressive and constantly strives for improvement in everything with which
he is connected. He is kind and humane towards his employees and is quick
to acknowledge merit wherever he finds it.
Although he was not born in the United States, he is truly one of its most
loyal citizens. He believes, in a pugnacious way, that there is no other
country in the world like it and his favorite and most sincere expression
is -- God Bless America!
Because I was so impressed with the story of his life and by his sincere
admiration for his country of adoption, a few years ago I promised George
Corrado that some day I would write his biography and call it -- God Bless
America! I am now fulfilling that promise and I hope to convey to others
the thrills I felt as he related to me his interesting experiences.
Joel Valente:
God Bless America:
Our Calabrian Magazine
