Andrea Doria - Newsletter Vol 2 Issue 3

Susan Lacapra has contacted me to tell us that her mother Maria Chiradia-Garzone and her Aunt Eufemia Chiaradia are living in the US. Maria was on her way to the US after being married in Italy. She was traveling with her sister. She is now 69 years old and would like to attend the next reunion.

George A. Boswell is a survivor of the collision, but not from the Andrea Doria, he was on the Stockholm. His grandson Albert writes that George will be 102 Years old this summer and he lives in the US. Seems to me he may be the oldest living survivor of the collision.

John Vali and Melania Ansuini were married 8 months after the collision. John jumped into the ocean to save Melania's life. They had two daughters, Doria and Dina. Dina has contacted me about her parents and I hope to get some more information about them.

Captain Raffaele Minotauro informs us that his father, Gaetano Minotauro passed away in September 2003 at the age of 80. Gaetano was a tourist class waiter on the Andrea Doria.

Mario Morrone tells me that his father, Giovanni Morrone, passed away last year. However his mother is 77 years old and in very good health. God Bless her.

Andrea Doria crewman, Luigi D'Urzo, is currently living in Italy in Torre del Greco. Torre del Greco is near Naples and for centuries provided seafarers for the nation.

Sometimes things happen that floor me. I received a call from Alvin Moscow, author of the book "Collision Course". He informs me that Lyons Press will print a new edition of the book that will contains some updated information that he is writing. I'll give you more details as I get them. Ok, so who is going to make the movie?

My name is Joseph Kearney, residing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, and have recently completed a scratch built replica of the Andrea Doria. It is nearly eight feet long, assembled with approximately 4,200 parts and took seven years to build.

My son told me about this web site and suggested that I contact you and update you on my Uncle Ettore Marrazzo. He was one of the survivors and I met him for the first time when he visited with my father who was his older brother. He stayed in America for several years and worked for a wood working group. He later returned to Cozensa, married and started his own fine furniture company.
He and his wife are deceased. They did not have any children. He is actually the only member of my father's immediate family that I ever met and was my father's baby brother. My dad had not seen him since Ettore was around six or seven years of age. One interesting thing that did come of the sinking is that when the passenger list was posted, my father learned that we had relatives that lived in Niagara Falls, NY and Canada. They had seen the list and recognized the name.

I really enjoyed meeting my uncle and did keep in touch with him until he died. He didn't talk much about the harrowing events of that day, however I am sure it never left his mind for too long a period.

From the editor:
Paul Deluca came to the US around 1954 as a child. He is looking for a copy of the Passenger List booklet that lists his family. The names are: Loreta, Antonio (Anthony), Paolo (Paul), Philomena, Maria. If you have the booklet, please contact him at paul_v_deluca@hotmail.com.

My name is Pierette Simpson, passenger Piera Domenica Burzio on the Andrea Doria. Like Mr. Anthony Grillo, I am interested in preserving the legacy of the greatest sea rescue in history. As a teacher, I realize the importance of leaving a legacy of good character to society. Those of us who were on the ship on July 25, 1956 were faced with extraordinary obstacles just to survive. Time is fleeting. It is important that we do not allow time to erase from civilization the acts of courage and heroism that transpired on that fateful night. I am working on a project to document the memories of those who survived the collision. Therefore, I would like to interview as many survivors as possible. Please help me by contacting me at psimpson@globalbiz.net. If you are not a survivor but have contact information about a living survivor, please contact me as well.

It is with heavy heart, I announce the passing of my mother, Giovanna (Joanne) Chiappone (nee Corosu), one of the Andrea Doria survivors.
Giovanna "Joanne" Chiappone (nee Corosu) Of Buffalo, NY, entered into rest January 11, 2004, beloved wife of the late Angelo Chiappone; devoted mother of Joe (Linda) Chiappone of Wheatfield, Lia (Don) DePerro of Dublin, OH and Anthony (Donna) Chiappone of Creedmoor, NC; cherished grandmother of Adam, Amanda, Michael DePerro, Anthony and Dominick Chiappone; loving daughter of the late Giovanni and Rosalia (nee Usai) Corosu; dear sister of Ignazia (late Gino) Sabatini of Tuscany, Italy, Paolina Corosu of Ozieri, Sardinia and the late Guiliana (late John) Lullia, Petronilla, Andrea, and Antonio Corosu; dear sister-in-law and best friend of Isa (late Salvatore) Chiappone; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Chiappone was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society at Annunciation Church. Entombment Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Published in the Buffalo News from 1/13/2004 - 1/14/2004.
Joseph Chiappone

Ciao!
I am seeking information for a book that I am writing about the Doria. This historical fiction is geared towards the young adult reader. In my work as an educator, I find that most students (and adults) have never heard of this great ship and think the only ship that ever sank is the Titanic. I feel there will be a greater appreciation for the Doria was we approach the fiftieth anniversary of her sinking and the recent launch of the QM2.
I need a first hand account of daily life aboard the Doria from passengers' and crew' point of view. I particularly want to hear from anyone who traveled on this ship as a young adult - especially anyone who was on the Doria's last voyage, July 1956.
What procedures did you go through when boarding the ship? Where did you board? Describe the port. What types of food were served at meals? Describe a typical meal? What artwork do you recall seeing? Did you visit the dog kennel? What were they like? Describe your cabin in detail? Colors ? Carpet? Furniture? How did the crew respond to you? What did you do for entertainment? What was popular? Was there a lifeboat drill? And if so, how was it conducted?
If your were aboard Doria's last voyage. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Grazie mille, Sandra Nazlian Gavette s_gavette@yahoo.com (Editor's Note: Here is you chance to document what ship life was like aboard the Andrea Doria and the other ships of the Italian Line)

Your submissions, letters, and comments are welcome. Send them to: fotad@andreadoria.org

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