Ida shared this wonderful bit of family lore with me a couple of weeks ago. In Giovanni's obituary, he is listed as being "President of the Columbus Committee", which makes this story below very likely true! Hopefully someday we will track down an article to prove it. But even if we never find "proof", there is truth in the words of the great actress Sarah Bernhardt; "Legend remains victorious in spite of history". Also, here is a monument page for the statue if you are interested. Click on "comments" above to add your thoughts and/or memories! COLUMBUS STATUE
Family lore has it that our grandfather (Giovanni) placed the globe of the world in his left hand at the re-dedication of the memorial (year?) after it was reportedly stolen from his hand! Your grandfather (Armand) told me this story and I in turn told it to the second grade teacher at St.Thomas's Day School in New Haven where I taught. Part of the Social Studies curriculum included the founding of our country and the history of New Haven. Every year she would take the class on many field trips around and about New Haven. When they got to the famous Chris statue she would include in the story that Mrs. Ginnetti's grandfather placed the "world" in his hand. Hundreds of second graders were very impressed by this. I have tried over the years to verify the story as fact, however have come up cold! Needless to say, the Santomasso Family lore story has been passed on and told and retold many, many times!
2 Comments
joe scali
12/2/2015 11:17:44 am
It is a wonderful story UNCLE ARMAND TOLD ME OF THIS HONOR A MILLION TIMES
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Tricia
12/2/2015 06:40:28 pm
Thanks for sharing, Joey! I love that this story has been passed on to so many people. It will live on, whether it be truth or legend!
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