Alessandro Melchiorre

an Italian immigrant born in September, 1891, was a kind and gentle man. He was baptized in Bisenti, Province of Teramo, Abruzzo, Italy on May 5, 1892. He arrived in the United States in 1910 via the ship S.S. Haverford leaving Liverpool, England on April 27, 1910 with the final destination being Philadelphia. He was not naturalized until at least 1920.

Alessandro had a leg injury in the early 1920's and had to crawl on one knee. His daughter, Catherine, started crawling the same way. Alessandro told Catherine, his daughter, that he loved Virginia, his wife, "like an angel."

Alessandro helped raise the Madore children with Virginia and he treated them as his own. He was a very generous man who also helped many neighbors by supplying firewood when it was cold and food when they were hungry. He also would take the children shopping in town and would always make sure he brought home something special for Virginia.

He loved music and played the concertina and made sure his step-daughter Mary took piano lessons. He provided the family with a car, piano and telephone which was very rare during the 1920's.

Catherine described his love for her as very special, she could just feel his love in the way he looked and touched her.

Alessandro remarried later in life and again proved to be a special man by adopting his wife's children and providing a great life for them. He lived his final days in Swarthmore, PA. until October 19, 1970. 

Family
 

Spouse

Virginia DeSantis
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Children  

Catherine Melchiorre Nygard
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Helen Melchiorre Jackson
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Salvatore Melchiorre
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Step-children

Mary Madore Pittoco
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Rose Madore Campbell
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Rita Madore Scheib
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George Madore
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