NICKNAMES of ITALIAN HARLEM
ALTV~ JIMMY BLINK~ROGIE~CRAZY JOE~
~HARRY “GoGOATS”~
Italian Harlem
Embracing the memory of when East Harlem was Italian!
BASILE~JIGGY LOU~CHARLIE THE MOUSE~ZOPO~ TERESINA STRACCERIA~UNCLE AL~ DON UMBERTO~SIGNOR LOMBARDI~
THE DALTON BROTHERS~TITI~KIKI~ CHARLIE DING-DING~CHARLIE JACKSON~PATTY WINE-NECK~JOE BLACK~FRANKIE STIFF~BIG BOY LEFTY ~DANNY McGRAW~SONNY McGRAW~THE ZULA~ZOOLAH~TORDIE “TOJO”~LOUIE THE LUG~PIP THE BLIND~HARPO BALAJOTE~ALBADUCE~DUTCH~JOE BOTTS~PUGGY
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Hello! I created this ancestral urban history blog, way back in 2008. At one point or another, I thought about adding a donation button, but felt indifferent about asking for money from my readership. At this point in time, after over 14 years of keeping the memories alive and ticking, I decided to ask for donations! :-) I intend to upgrade this site, by adding more storage space, in order to upload audio, video, more photos, etc. I'd also like to do a podcast, and to finally scan all of the ephemera/memorabilia/vintage photos, that I have been collecting for over 15 years! I look forward to the journey! Thanks so much for your donation! I really appreciate it! Best regards, Angela :-)
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Italian Harlem 
Charlie Jackson is my father and Patty Wineneck is his brother and Buatt is my cousin…
Wow …. should I even be saying this…. LOL
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I did something a little craze when a was young and the girls said I should be in a nuthouse & that’s how I got my nickname Frankie nuthouse.from 116 street pleasant ave.
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Frankie Nuthouse. I thought so.
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Does anybody remember Freddie Eggs
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My father use to play baseball around 112th and 116th st
nickname was Joey Two cents
Cause his baseball glove was only worth 2 cents
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Does anybody remember Freddie Eggs
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Freddie (eggs)Cincotti who was the nephew of Cincotti Pastry has passed away, but has a son Peter Cincotti who is now in the entertainment business , he was in the movies (beyond the sea) and has recorded records
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Does anyone remember “Pete Black” from 117/118 St?
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jimmy paolino
i thought i already left this nicknames paddy bones, eddie win, frankie eyes, nookie, nicky buns,mikey bannanas, charlie irish, danny dumbo, johnny monk, petey muscles, tuna fish, pizeel, jerraz,jerry cane,mikey frogs, wazoo,joey fleabags,joe black,and my dad,danny red.
thats all i can think of for now LOL jimmy Ahun21st st.
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Paddy Bones ran the candy/soda shoppe on 119th street and i would run down to tell him the cops were coming down the block and as a little girl he would let me have a candy of choice.
One time I lied to get a candy bar and he scolded me and I never did it again! My addiction to candy started during those days. I believe back room was a gambling spot.
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Anyone remember The Swordfish.
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My father was Chic . So many Frank’s so each had a nickname. His brother was
Johnny Curly.
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Sally Fish
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Any relation to the Tocco’s from 113th Street First Avenue. My grandfather and uncles were referred to as the “Fishes” because my grandfather had a fish market.
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How about Nicky Red, Frankie Red, Petey Wreck(Marylin Monroe’s NY Chaufeur), Joe Bananas, Good Lookin Al, DaDa, Angelo cigar head, Joe White, Lawton, Augie Twist, Porky, Rosie Teeth, Three finger….,Pups, Yish, Pepsi, Rubber Legs, PeeWee Sonny, Crazy Al, Joe Bimbo, Totsy, Four Eyes, The Red Heads,
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Are you George pups?
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Angela, first off you are a saint.
My wife Terese (1195h St. 1st & 2nd Ave) are planning a trip back to E. Harlem and our cherished roots for Festa de Giglio in August. Please send me info on the dates of the feast. I will certainly connect with you.
By the way, Terese’s brother Joeseph Crocco graduated from Benjamin Franklin HS, Under Dr. Covello who had a great influence on him. He was best friends with James Luisi who lived on my block 123rd. St., first and Pleasant. Joe was the GO/Student President. He made the honorary presentation to Frank Sinatra when he visited BFHS right after the riot. I have a picture of Joe and Sinatra if you are interested in a copy.
Joe went on to West Point through a recommendation of Mr. Marcantonio plus his grades. He ended up in the Air Force and flew during the Korean and Vietnam War. I spoke to him a number of times when I was an Air Traffic Conrtoller when he flew helicopter on his aircraft to Riverhead, LI. He contracted Leukemia as a result of exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam conflict and is interned at West Point. You may be familiar with James Luisi. Great BFHS basketball Player going on to St. Francis college on a scholarship.
He then played with the Baltimore Bullets, drafted into the Army, and then onto to a career on Broadway and Hollywood as an actor. He is in the St. Francis Basketball Hall of Fame for Scoring.
JAMES Luisi moved into acting in the late 1950s after hearing that his neighborhood friend, Anthony Franciosa, was appearing in a Broadway show. “I can do that,” James said, and promptly enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Although he was probably best known for The Rockford Files role, Lt. Doug Chapman, with James Garner, James. Luisi won an Emmy in 1976 for his portrayal of George Washington in the NBC special First Ladies’ Diaries: Martha Washington. James also appeared in episodes of many of television’s most popular detective and adventure series, including Cannon, Kojak, Hunter, Wonder Woman, T.J. Hooker, Hart to Hart, The A-Team, Knight Rider, The Fall Guy, Magnum, P.I. and L.A. Law. Joe and James are products of Dr. Covello. Funny story, I met up with James on Newfoundland at Harmon AFB during the Korean War. James was stationed on Iceland. He was sent to Harmon for our Northeast Air Command basketball and fast pitch softball tournament. I was on the Harmon Softball team as a pitcher and catcher.
I again met up with James Luisi when I moved to Southern California in 2000 prior to his passing on June 7, 2002.
Joe retired from the Air Force as a Colonel and passed while living in the Tampa Bay Florida area.
James got his big start on Broadway staring in Alfie and Sweet Charity then onto a number of years as Lt. Doug Chapman on the Rockford Files. They are part of the pride of East Harlem.
Another great achiever you may not be aware of is Louis D’Esposito who is Co-President of Marvel studios in Hollywood. His father is my friend and classmate Anthony D’Esposito at Cardinal Hayes HS and co-milk box harmonizer on 123rd St.at Jimmy’s Candy Store… There are a lot of great success stories of the alumni of Italian E. Harlem.
Regards
George
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Thank you so much for this information, George!This is what Italian Harlem is all about! 🙂 Blessings!
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I lived on 430 East 115st. across from Mt Carmel. That would be about 100 yards from Benjamin Franklin but I decided to go to Cardinal Hayes also. Played two years on the football team and then about 5 years for the Mr Carmel football team. Mikie Lenteni was the quaterback..I was the half back. We won three out of 5 chanpionships and we also played aganst the Jets before they became the jets. Great fun. The name for the Jets in the league escape me. Sorry.
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I played one year at tackle, of course that was the year we lost I remember mike being QB Tony buggsy Gennusa playing def. back
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I think you went to Hayes with my brother Alfred Guglielmelli. We lived at 425 east 115th street too. He passed away 8 years ago. He and his wife lived in Staten Island.
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Of course I remember you and Al. Your father sold produce if I am not mistaken. Good to hear from you and if you want you can email me ponzv@comcast.net. I have been in Florida for the past 12 years. Iam in florida. I think you went to school with my sister Rosalie…..
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My brother was Nickey beans number 74 u might know him.I played for the next team turkey was our quarterback we had great games we also won 2 or 3 Championships.I played with the juniors being they were my age and they were also Undefeated and un scored upon. Ponzo was our coach.
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George would like to speak with you. I am a relative of jimmy luisi. I would like to talk to you about him and his brothers. Vincent. Nickname Sonny. My dad and Gerard or Gerry. Or by his nickname Nordie. Thanks. Vinnie luisi
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My Grandfather is GIGI:) And my Dad was Lefty:)
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I lived at 325 Pleasant Avenue. My father’s name was Sonny. He was a bartender at The Colonial Tavern on ahun16th street and 1st Avenue and also at Johnny Pups bar on ahun18th street and Pleasant Avenue and also at Patsy’s Restaurant on 1st Avenue. Does anyone remember him? I knew a lot of the names listed on your website. It brought back memories of my childhood on Pleasant Avenue. I went to P.S. 78 and to Benjamin Franklin High School. My father was a member of the Friends of Victory social club and my late brother John was a member of the Nighthawks social club.
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Hi Larry, add your post to my new page, “The Stoop” Perhaps someone will see your post, and respond back. Thanks for visiting!😊
Oh, and don’t forget to follow my blog, to receive updates on new posts! Thanks!
Angela
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I lived at 351 Pleasant Ave. we used to go up on the roof and steal pigeon eggs from Johnny pups pigeon coop we would punch two holes in the shell and suck out the eggs my father was Vincent [Jimmy] Altieri his father had a bakery on 117 st. between Pleasant Ave and 1st.those were greaqt times we used to sleep on the fire escape and never worry about anything. Scotty’s deli was accross the street school was on the corner never had to leave area everything was there family was within 3 blocks. Great times
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Aa
My father use to play baseball around 112th and 116th st
nickname was Joey Two cents
Cause his baseball glove was only worth 2 cents
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Love seeing the names of my Uncles, Wee Gee and Funzi!
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Wee Gee was/is Guy Gerani’s cousin
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alahambra! lets add him to the list
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My Uncle was Jimmy Blink. That is Uncle by marriage. His Brother was Rogie. I know there could not be two Jimmy Blink. That is amazing. My Family was from 118 and 117 and Pleasant Avenue. My Mother was born on Pleasant avenue itself. 326 I believe. The building has been torn down.
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My Uncle by Marriage was Jimmy Blink. His Brother was Rogie for Rocco. Now I doubt that there were two Jimmy Blink’s. So I believe this was him. My Family lived on 117, 118 and Pleasant Ave. My Mother was born at 326 Pleasant Ave. The building was torn down and now a vacant lot is there.
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Hi Michael,
Yes, you have the right “Jimmy Blink.” He was my dad’s best friend from childhood, and my godfather! Small world, isn’t it? 😊 Jimmy lived at 342 E. 110th Street, 2 doors down from where my dad lived. They are all very much missed. May they all rest in peace. Thanks so much for your message, and for visiting my site! 😊
My best regards,
Angela Puco
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Hi my name is Josh
I run a page on Facebook and may help you connect with old friends…it’s called
PLEASANT AVENUE CONNECTION….
FEEL FREE TO JOIN AND RECONNECT
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Angela, thank you for your site. I wasn’t born Italian but became one because of great people like Anthony Staffa with his great parents especially his dad Sammy. I’m black but Sammy would take us to see the Mets play good days. I lived on 112th Street and First Ave and Tony on
111th Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave. I was back there in May and things were really different, Delightful restaurant is gone the biggest shocker for me, I now live in Germany but I still miss my Italian Harlem. Rick
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My uncle Carmine (Carmanuch also known as Carmine red)owned the hotdog store and before him
My grandmother on 117 and pleasant ave my cousin Marie Cuomo owned the five and ten next door to Armond the barber. My mother was Rosie Cuomo and we live over the Pleasant tavern. Please keep me notified thanks
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My father Salvatore Ventola had a friend “Johnnie High Fever”. Jonnie got his name because he went out with his friends when he had a high fever. My day was from 104th street and was born in 1917. He told me that most of his friends had nick names. Can’t recall the others. One of his friends Freddie De Franciso (?) who got in the florist business. Freddie some how tried to avoid the draft during WW 2 and was in a prison on on Harts island (off Orchard beach). He tried to escape by swimming to Orchard, but guards, with weapons, said if he stepped foot on land it would make it worse for him. So Freddie swam back to Harts island. That’s the story my dad told me. Freddie had a florist some where in East Harlem and one on Tremont Ave in an area called Throngs Neck. in the 1950’s. It seemed the Freddie was always involved with the police.
Regards
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That’s a great story! My dad knew a guy from the old neighborhood, that owned a florist on Tremont Ave. The name of the florist was “Jerome’s Florist.” I wonder if that was Freddie? The name sounds familiar. “Freddie Jerome”
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Hi. My parents on both sides group in East Harlem in the 40s and 50s. My grandmother’s nickname was Mary Red and she had funny nicknames for everybody. She had a friend they called Annie Pots (literally because the woman supposedly had beautiful cooking pots). Her sister was married to Joe Rao (yes, of the restaurant), and I’m in LA now and hoping to visit the LA one (I hear Johnny Roastbeef works there). I’d only been to Rao’s in East Harlem maybe 6 times, never saw anyone famous, but I loved it. So unique, great food, the whole thing was very special. But my mom does say her food is better:) East Harlem nicknames were just the best thing when I was growing up. They’d make me spit out my drink sometimes.
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My father’s uncle, Joe, my paternal grandmother’s brother, was nicknamed Joe the Heat. My father’s family lived on 123rd Street between 1st and Pleasant Avenues, close to 1st Avenue. I’m talking about Italian Harlem way back in the 1930s and 1940s, so I doubt there would be anyone on here who would remember my uncle. Thanks for reading this.
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