Antonio Manna

Antonio Manna, age 96, Beloved husband of Rosa nee Passaro, Loving Papa of Enza(Alessandro) Agrella, John(Rosa) Manna, Beatrice(Francesco) Falco and Christina Esposito, Loving Nonno of Maria(Calogero) Principato, Leonardo Agrella, Rosanne(Anthony) Maggio, Anthony Manna, Nicoletta(Mario) Pastore, Jonathon(Kayla) Manna, Diana Falco, Giovanni (Emily) Falco, Antonio(Carrie) Esposito, John Esposito, Antimo(Theresa)Esposito,  Assunta(Kyle)Macintire, Great GrandFather of 11.

This is a story about a wonderful man
My father Antonio was born September 5 th 1923 in Acerra Napoli to Giovanni
Manna and Vincenza Travaliginio. My father was raised on a farm with his 2
brothers Pasquale , Vincenzo and his departed Sister Maria. There are many
things that you do not know about my father I will share some of the things with
you now. When my father was 18 he was drafted into the ARMY. Can you
imagine that ? fighting in World War 2 at 18? My father was captured by the
Germans and was held as prisoner of war for 2 years. He has told me many
stories of how they survived by eating out of the garbage cans, they had to work
in the coal mines every day and would hear the bombing up above. He was shot
at many times and has many war wounds all over his legs from being shot at. He
told me that only 3 of them surviving while captured by the Germans. AFTER 2
years they were then rescued by Russia. He has told me that everyone at home
feared he was dead and they were so happy to see him one day just walking down
the street to get home.
In 1948 my father married my beautiful mom Rosa. They were married in a civil
ceremony at home nothing special but they were happy. My father then went to
ARGENTINA because at that time there wasn’t any work in Italy. Now he went by
himself to find work Can you imagine taking a boat for 40 days to a country you
knew nothing about to start a life. Well that’s what my father did after 1 year he
called for my mom. She also was on a boat for over 40 days to meet her husband
in un unknown land. BUT even though they were all alone without family they
survived it they made it. My father who had NO schooling what so ever owned a
water and sewer company and employed many people. We had a wonderful
home never without anything. For 17 years they lived in Argentina. My mom was
very lonely for her family especially her mom who now had moved to the US and
could not wait to see her. In 1964 we got the call to come to Chicago and have
been here ever since. My father started working right away as a brick layer and
till this day we will drive by a building and he will say see that building a lay the
bricks there. My father still made wine and tomato sauce and still drove until 90.
He even cut his own grass till 90. if were are not quick enough to do it he will
shovel the snow. He always worked hard for us so that we could have great

things. They gave us a beautiful life. Even though we all know papa was not a
man of many words. We know he loves us. And were are grateful for him every
day. Thank you Papa WE love you so much.