As an Italian-American I’m pleased that my hometown of Belmar holds a yearly San Gennaro Festival in September. This holiday honors Saint Januarius, the patron saint of Naples. Coincidentally, most of the immigrants who settled here hailed from Naples, and just south of the area. My family members originated from small villages in and around Naples....they were called Napoletana.
While members of the D’Ambrosio family are proud Americans, we cherish our Italian traditions brought to us by our ancestors. They arrived here in the early 1900s seeking better lives. How courageous of them-with no knowledge of the English language or ways of life-or job opportunities -to journey across the ocean, hoping to find success and experience happiness!
