I was 20 years old when I came to the States from Sicily in 1970. Emigrating with my parents turned out to be the best move I could have ever made. We settled in Connecticut: my uncle resided in the Hartford area, as did many paesani .The Italian community in Hartford was a godsend, especially for my parents, who never learned to speak English but could work and shop easily in the Italian neighborhood we settled into.

This is my story: from a young boy thru high school graduation in Sicily to emigrating to the States and my life here. It is a heartfelt tribute to my native Sicily, its culture and home life and my thanks and appreciation to Connecticut for what I have become: a more complete person with a strong Italian base shaped by a new way of life.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: one plus one equals three.