“Radiator bursting away,” he said. “There were six of us in a six-room apartment. We shared a bed. I didn’t have my own bed until I got married.”
His father’s family came from Ischia, Italy, in 1909; his mother’s family came from Naples. His grandfather worked as a day laborer; his father, Angelo, was a longshoreman on the docks in Red Hook, where he rose to become a boss of loading and unloading the trucks.
“He was very well-respected,” he said. “He was a tough boss, but he was fair, so I had a good role model to follow.”
As a boy, young Sal went to Public School 142 and Brooklyn Tech and then Boys High School, where he bowled. His parents took their four children to Roman Catholic Mass each Sunday, at St. Mary Star of the Sea.
“My mom and dad taught us all about family life and how important your family is,” he said.
At 10, he landed his first job, working for his brother-in-law delivering crates of soda in glass bottles, sometimes walking them up six flights on his shoulder.
He rooted for the Dodgers. His godfather was single and had season tickets to Ebbets Field.
“I used to go there three or four times a week when they were home,” he said. The shortstop Pee Wee Reese was his favorite, so he wore his number, 1, on his jersey in baseball and softball leagues he played in.
After school, he worked with his dad on the waterfront, then found work in a bank.
Does that sound like someone who knows what it REALLY means to be from Carroll Gardens, or what?
I loved the article and I agree that it sounds like someone who knows what it REALLY means to be from Carroll Gardens! I remember what it used to be like (nothing against the way it is now) mostly Italian families, lots of Italian deli's,everyone knew you by your first name,the smell of freshly made tomato sauce on a Sunday morning while walking home from church, etc.
ReplyDeleteNice memories for sure!
I knew Sal Cassano from the old neighborhood, which back then was Red Hook. We both graduated from P.S.142 in 1958, we had the same 8th grade teacher, Mr. Selsky, four years latter we both gaduated from Boys High School, which was located on Marcy and Putnam Ave's in Bed Sty. latter on I found out that we both served in Vietnam around the same time 1966-1967.I remember Sal was liked by everyone, and was always a perfect gentleman.I just know that Sal will be a excellent fire commissioner and will be well remembered.
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