OUR FAMILY HISTORY
Fiore & Barbara Porcaro
Fiore: 1879 - 1959 Barbara: 1888 - 1971
Herman Porcaro
1904 - 1925
Fiore “George” Porcaro was born on 09/14/1879, in Rovito, a town in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. He lived to be 76 years old. Fiore immigrated to the United States in 1900. Barbara (DeNotto) Porcaro was born on 05/15/1888 in Cosenza, a city in Calabria, Italy. She lived to be 83 years old. Barbara immigrated to the United States in 1895. On 06/14/1903, Fiore and Barbara were united in marriage in Chicago, Illinois. They were married for 53 years. They resided at 1135 Forest Street in Racine, Wisconsin, and raised a family of eleven children. Their five sons were: Herman (05/05/1904 - 07/21/1925), Frank (11/29/1909 - 04/30/1992), Anthony (09/14/1917 - 01/24/2017), Joseph (05/04/1920 - 04/13/2006), and Earl (04/22/1926 - 07/16/2010). Their six daughters were: Mary (05/08/1906 - 02/14/2006), Rose (07/04/1907 - 06/28/1928), Grace (05/15/1912 - 07/02/2005), Louise (10/25/1914 - 11/01/1968), Lucille (09/09/1922 - 06/15/2000), and Betty (09/25/1924 - 04/17/2018). Fiore was employed for 56 years at the Belle City Malleable Iron Co., and he received multiple honors for his years of dedicated service with the firm. He worked as a molder. Fiore and Barbara were members of Sacred Heart Church and the Holy Name Society. Fiore was a member of Belle City Twenty Year Club, UAW-CIO Local 553, and Roma Lodge. Barbara became a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Apostolate of Suffering. Fiore passed away on 09/06/1956. Barbara passed away on 07/29/1971.
Rose Porcaro
Herman Porcaro was the first child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Herman was born on 05/05/1904, in Racine. He was a graduate of Racine schools and worked as a shoe worker for Davies Shoe Manufacturing. He was only 20 years old when he was stricken with an illness which took his life on 07/21/1925.
Mary (Porcaro) & Mac Matagrano
Mary: 1906 - 2006 Mac: 1903 - 1969
Mary (Porcaro) Matagrano was the second child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Mary was born on 05/08/1906, in Racine and lived to be 99 years old. On 10/20/1923, she was united in marriage to Anthony “Mac” Matagrano (03/08/1903 - 07/12/1969) at St. Lucy's Catholic Church in Racine. They were married for 46 years. Mary and Mac had one daughter, Marie (08/25/1924 - ). They owned and operated Matagrano’s Inc., a beer distributorship, in Racine for many years. Mac had been a wholesale liquor and beer distributor with Matagrano, Inc, and with B&D Beer Distributors, He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, B.P.O., Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Meadowbrook Country Club, and Roma Lodge No. 1196. Mary was a member Vittoria Colonna, All Saints Healthcare Volunteers, and was a charter member of Meadowbrook Country Club. She was also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and Golden Mothers of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mary passed away on 02/14/2006.
1907 - 1928
Rose Porcaro was the third child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Rose was born on 07/04/1907, in Racine. She was only 20 years old when she was stricken with an illness which took her life on 06/28/1928. At the time of her death, she was engaged to be married. Rose was laid to rest in what would have been her wedding gown.
Grace (Porcaro) & Mike Mascari
Grace: 1912 - 2005 Mike: 1905 - 1975
Grace (Porcaro) Mascari was the fifth child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Grace was born on 05/15/1912, in Racine and lived to be 93 years old. On 04/28/1934, she was united in marriage to Michael V. Mascari (06/02/1905 - 08/13/1975) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Racine. They were married for 41 years. Grace and Mike had one son, Michael W. (05/23/1941 - 08/10/1959) who was tragically killed in an accident at the age of 18. Grace was a graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic School. She worked for 10 years at Neisner Brothers and then for 20 years at Rainfair. Mike worked for Rex-Nord, Inc. for 17 years. Grace and Mike both retired in 1970. They were members of St. Joseph Catholic Church. In her youth, Grace enjoyed playing first base on a girl's baseball team. In her senior years, she enjoyed bowling in a women's bowling league. Grace passed away on 07/02/2005.
Anthony & Yola Porcaro
Anthony: 1917 - 2017 Yola: 1925 - 2005
Anthony S. “Tony” Porcaro was the seventh child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Tony was born on 09/14/1917, in Racine and lived to be 99 years old. On 05/15/1948, he was united in marriage to Yolanda J. Rende (03/14/1925 - 05/15/2005) at Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Kenosha. They were married for 57 years. Tony and Yolanda had three sons, Dennis (08/02/1952 - ), Mark (12/19/1954 - ), and Anthony J. (08/21/1963 - ). Tony served in the United States Army Air Force and was stationed in the Philippines during WWII, and Yolanda was the secretary to the president of Nash Motors around the time they began dating. In later years, Yolanda served as Sergeant at Arms for both the Racine Women's Bowling Association and the Racine Junior Bowling Association. She was also the secretary of the Paradise North Damsels for 34 years and the Coach Director of the Junior League Program at Paradise North for 25 years. She was inducted into the Racine Women's Hall of Fame and also received the Volunteer's Award from the Wisconsin Junior Bowling Association in 1996. She was elected Member Emerita to the Racine Women's Bowling Association in 2001. In addition to bowling, Yolanda was also very active in the Junior League, Card Club, and Bingo. She also enjoyed working at the election polls for many years. Tony was employed by Racine Hydraulics for forty-six years, retiring in 1982, and belonged to “25 Plus Year Club.” He was a sports enthusiast who especially enjoyed watching Packer and Brewer games. He also took pride in his perfectly manicured lawn and bushes, and he is fondly remembered by his family for having the best-kept yard in Racine both summer and winter. He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Roma Lodge. Tony passed away on 01/24/2017.
Frank & Rose Porcaro
Frank: 1909 -1992 Rose: 1914 - 2002
Frank Porcaro was the fourth child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Frank was born on 11/29/1909, in Racine and lived to be 82 years old. On 07/20/1935, he was united in marriage to Rose Kowalewski (09/05/1914 - 11/15/2002). They were married for 57 years. Frank and Rose had two sons, George (12/28/1937 - 02/07/1990) and Don (03/10/1939 - 01/20/1996). Frank had been employed by Rainfair, Inc. for more than 40 years and was the former owner of Frankie’s Club, a local bar where he amused customers with his gift-of-gab and his funny hats. Rose was well-known for the Italian Beef she would serve there and at family gatherings. After being Racine residents for more than 70 years, they retired to Stuart, Florida. Frank passed away on 04/30/1992.
Louise (Porcaro) & Russ Young
Louise: 1914 - 1968 Russ: 1919 - 1993
Louise (Porcaro) Young was the sixth child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Louise was born on 10/25/1914, in Racine and lived to be 53 years old. On 08/31/1946, she was united in marriage to Russell Young (09/08/1919 - 11/20/1993). They were married for 22 years. Louise and Russ had one daughter, Diane (10/18/1942 - 08/25/2002), from Louise’s first marriage. Russell was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the South Pacific during WWII, and had been employed by Wisconsin Natural Gas Company for 33 years. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the V.F.W. Post-1391. Louise was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Apostolate of the Suffering. Louise passed away on 11/01/1968.
Joe: 1920 - 2006 Anna Marie: 1921 - 2009
Joseph A. “Joe” Porcaro was the eighth child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Joe was born on 05/04/1920, in Racine and lived to be 85 years old. On 05/31/1947, he was united in marriage to Anna Marie Costanzo (08/05/1921 - 02/27/2009) at Holy Rosary Church in Kenosha. They were married for 58 years. Joe and Anna Marie had one son, Charles (09/13/1953 - ). Joe served in the Pacific during WWII with the 24th Division Infantry and received the Purple Heart. He was a tester at Racine Hydraulics which changed ownership over the years. He retired in 1985, after 45 years of service, when the company was owned by Dana Corporation. He served as a president of the 15 Plus Club at Racine Hydraulics, vice president and secretary of the Lodge 437 Retiree Club, a charter member of the Athletic Club at St. Lucy’s, a greeter and usher at his church, and a member of the International Association of Machinists. Anna Marie was employed as a billing clerk for Simmons. Co. in Kenosha and also as a supervisor for the Officer Personnel Accounting Department at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. She belonged to a bowling league for more than 25 years, was a teacher’s aide and performed clerical work as a volunteer at St. Lucy’s School. Joe and Anna Marie were members of St. Lucy’s Catholic Church in Racine and the Italian-American Club in Kenosha. Joe passed away on 04/13/2006.
Lucille (Porcaro) & Oscar Brusha
Lucille: 1922 - 2000 Oscar: 1922 - 2016
Lucille (Porcaro) Brusha was the ninth child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Lucille was born on 09/09/1922, in Racine and lived to be 77 years old. On 09/06/1947, she was united in marriage to Oscar Brusha (07/17/1922 - 07/09/2016) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Racine. They were married for 52 years. Lucille and Oscar had two children, one son, Brian (09/29/1953 - ), and one daughter, Sandra (01/19/1962 - ). They became members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Racine. As a young adult, Lucille was employed by the Wood Nathan & Virkus Company and Hamilton Beach. While a stay-at-home mom, she was a devoted homemaker and loved to bake. She bowled for 28 years on the Damsel Bowling League at Douglas Avenue Bowl and then Paradise North. Oscar joined the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1939, serving in Camp Pattison Company 3663, and then he joined the U.S Coast Guard in 1942 during WWII. Through 1946, he served on the USS Sellstrom (DE-255) doing convoy duty throughout the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean and patrolling the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Alaskan waters, Sea of Japan and the Pacific. He was a member of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed cooking for his family and staying active by walking, gardening, and traveling. He also took up skydiving when he turned 90. Oscar and Lucille were co-owners of Brusha’s Club and Restaurant in Racine, opening in May of 1955 and retiring in November of 1991. Lucille passed away on 06/15/2000.
Betty (Porcaro) & Frank Valente
Betty: 1924 - 2018 Frank: 1924 - 1999
Betty (Porcaro) Valente was the tenth child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Betty was born on 09/25/1924, in Racine and lived to be 93 years old. On 06/05/1948, she was united in marriage to Frank Valente (04/02/1924 - 12/26/1999) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Racine. They were married for 51 years. Betty and Frank had three daughters, Maureen (04/08/1950 - ), Karen (02/22/1952 - ), Patricia (04/30/1956 - ). They became members of St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, Meadowbrook Country Club, Kenosha Country Club, and the Roma Lodge. Frank was the first president of the Tuesday Optimist Club, and he was also president of the Kenosha Country Club, an officer of Junior Achievement, president of the Spring Lake Association, and treasurer of Elmwood Park. He was employed by Walker Forge, Inc. for 32 years, retiring as executive vice president in 1986. Betty was a devoted homemaker and a wonderful cook to her family. For recreation, she enjoyed golfing, bowling, and card clubs with friends. She especially loved golfing, dining, and dancing with her husband. She spent her final years living near family in Scottsdale, AZ. Betty passed away on 04/17/2018
Earl & Jo Porcaro
Earl: 1926 - 2010 Jo: 1930 -
Earl Porcaro was the eleventh child of Fiore and Barbara Porcaro. Earl was born on 04/22/1926, in Racine and lived to be 84 years old. On 05/29/1954, he was united in marriage to Josephine Ingrasci (05/04/1930 - ) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Racine. They were married for 56 years. Earl and Josephine had three children, one daughter, Barbara (10/22/1958 - ), and two sons, Tom (07/22/1959 - ) and Randy (07/19/1962 - ). Earl attended William Horlick High School and served his country in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Delta during WWII. Earl was employed by Modine Manufacturing for 45 years, retiring in 1988. He was also a bartender at Brusha's Club and Restaurant for 30 years, where he became affectionately known as "Uncle Earl." Earl was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and a member of the Modine 20-Year Club. Josephine worked for 18 years at Insinkerator and at Gordon Auto Parts as a bookkeeper. Josephine remains active in card clubs, playing bingo, and by spending time with family and friends. She loves making crafts, knitting, and is known for keeping up the tradition of baking Italian cookies. She is a long-standing member of Vittoria Colonna as well as the Roma Lodge where Earl had been a 60-year member. Earl passed away on 07/16/2010.
