When Freddie completed his Boot Camp training, he was assigned by the Army to a base in Germany, even though half of his regiment was sent to Korea as part of the US force fighting North Korea.It was the early 1950’s, and I had already had two brothers, Bernie and John, that had served overseas during World War II. I was aware of the dangers faced by US military personnel, regardless of where they were stationed. Many uncivilized, radical groups, in Korea and in some of the European countries, would shoot at US servicemen because of what they represented…freedom.
I understood that the US had good intentions when our leaders joined the conflict in Korea, to stop the spread of communism. But the South Boston community suffered dearly: several kids never came home (20 in all)…two kids from Gates Street, our neighborhood, were killed in action. It really hit home. I mean, these were kids! And we didn’t have nightly coverage on TV like we have now, so families were left to wonder what was going on. We received our news by letters from those serving abroad.
The D Street Housing Development was built to offer housing to those veterans that were returning from World War II, and eventually Korea. The price to build the development, however, was very steep: the destruction of 10 square blocks of homes, including ours. Families were uprooted and lost touch with many, many friends. Some of the older folks were never the same. Was it worth it? At the time it seemed very unfair to me and my family. Ironically, many of the small streets and squares that were created by the development were eventually named after South Boston men who were killed in action…a small reward for such a supreme sacrifice!
While Fred continued to serve his “hitch” in Germany, I was working at the Carney Hospital in Dorchester and enjoying the first two grandchildren in the Corliss Family. It was not difficult to get attached to “Little Evie” Corliss and “Little Tommy” O’Toole. The kids came fast and furious after that: Francis and Gerard in the O’Toole Family and Michael Corliss III and twin brothers, John and Jimmy. Then Maureen and Francis O’Connor (born 18 months apart) just before my sister, Jose, and her husband, Franna, moved to their new house on Mt. Ida Road in the Fields Corner section of Dorchester. Whenever possible I would babysit for my nieces and nephews.
Even though my brother and two of my sisters (the Corliss’, O’Connors and O’Tooles) were now living in Dorchester, it did not stop me from getting over to visit them. My brother, John, and his wife, Evie, decided to stay in South Boston, just around the corner with “little Evie” so that was only walking distance. Our family had grown quite a bit during this period of time and as each baby came along I realized how fortunate I was to have my brothers and sisters, and had a much greater understanding of how important family is!
Freddie returned home from the Army in 1953 and lived with his Grandmother, “Nana” Curran. His parents, Veronica and Fred, had moved to a suburb north of Boston (Reading, Ma) with their other children (two sons and three daughters) while Freddie was serving in the military. Having been born and raised in the South Boston neighborhood, he didn’t find the move to a suburb very appealing. Nana Curran was a very “special” person in Fred’s life. It was easy to figure out why after meeting her. She was warm and caring. She adored Freddie! He was now enjoying civilian life and started working immediately for F. W. Rooney Motor Transportation Co. owned by his Father. I was very happy to have Freddie back home now as our courtship “took off”!
As the saying goes, “stay tuned”!
June 24, 2009
May 26, 2009
We had a deadline to leave W. Fifth Street, so my parents found an apartment for the family. We only lived there for six months because a single family house was for sale on Gates Street, so this was now the Corliss family home. I thoroughly enjoyed growing up close to Dorchester Heights, which is a National Historic Monument. Being the youngest of five I have to say I had it a lot easier than my two sisters and two brothers. My Father and Mother would probably be considered strict, caring and hardworking parents.
They were born in Ireland but in two different counties, Galway and Mayo. After arriving in America, my Father served in World War I. They provided us with whatever we essentially needed to keep us happy and healthy. They were both very talented and resourceful so that was a big help. My Father made any repairs necessary on the house and my Mother cooked, baked, sewed and knitted for us. They certainly knew how to make ends meet.
The United States entered World War II around the time of our relocation and my two brothers, John and Bernie, enlisted in the U.S. Navy along with many of their neighborhood friends. “Pa”, as we called him, had to sign for them because they were just out of high school. He was devastated, as was the whole family, to see my brothers leave home. During basic training Jose, which is short for Josephine, the oldest in the family, took a bus down to Newport to visit them but never went empty handed. Before they were shipped overseas, John married his childhood sweetheart, Evie. After three or four years, both John and Bernie finally came home safe and sound. Many of their friends, however, were not as fortunate.
After the war TC (Theresa), Bernie (Michael) and Jose (Josephine) got married and all made excellent choices. Our family was extended now and we had many enjoyable times together. My brothers-in law and sisters-in-law treated me as if I were their little sister too. They would come back often to enjoy Ma’s excellent cooking and baking. John remained in South Boston, only two streets away, and the other three moved to Dorchester. When the babies came along, being a teenager now, I would babysit for them whenever I could and was well rewarded in one way or another. I wore a uniform to St. Augustine’s School but I always had an eye for other outfits and if my sisters didn’t get them for me, my brothers did. I was the only one left in the house with Ma and Pa now and my high school graduation was fast approaching.
Around this time, my friends and I would frequent Bessie’s Donut Shop on Broadway before or after a movie. That is where I met Freddie, my husband of 54 years. He was known as “ Buddy” to his family however his best friend, Charlie Malley, nicknamed him "Twilight" and called him that most of the time. We would see each other frequently during that year while Freddie attended South Boston High School.. Now the United States was involved in the Korean Conflict. Like many of his friends , Freddie enlisted in the Army soon after graduation in 1950.
What followed is another story. Check back!!
They were born in Ireland but in two different counties, Galway and Mayo. After arriving in America, my Father served in World War I. They provided us with whatever we essentially needed to keep us happy and healthy. They were both very talented and resourceful so that was a big help. My Father made any repairs necessary on the house and my Mother cooked, baked, sewed and knitted for us. They certainly knew how to make ends meet.
The United States entered World War II around the time of our relocation and my two brothers, John and Bernie, enlisted in the U.S. Navy along with many of their neighborhood friends. “Pa”, as we called him, had to sign for them because they were just out of high school. He was devastated, as was the whole family, to see my brothers leave home. During basic training Jose, which is short for Josephine, the oldest in the family, took a bus down to Newport to visit them but never went empty handed. Before they were shipped overseas, John married his childhood sweetheart, Evie. After three or four years, both John and Bernie finally came home safe and sound. Many of their friends, however, were not as fortunate.
After the war TC (Theresa), Bernie (Michael) and Jose (Josephine) got married and all made excellent choices. Our family was extended now and we had many enjoyable times together. My brothers-in law and sisters-in-law treated me as if I were their little sister too. They would come back often to enjoy Ma’s excellent cooking and baking. John remained in South Boston, only two streets away, and the other three moved to Dorchester. When the babies came along, being a teenager now, I would babysit for them whenever I could and was well rewarded in one way or another. I wore a uniform to St. Augustine’s School but I always had an eye for other outfits and if my sisters didn’t get them for me, my brothers did. I was the only one left in the house with Ma and Pa now and my high school graduation was fast approaching.
Around this time, my friends and I would frequent Bessie’s Donut Shop on Broadway before or after a movie. That is where I met Freddie, my husband of 54 years. He was known as “ Buddy” to his family however his best friend, Charlie Malley, nicknamed him "Twilight" and called him that most of the time. We would see each other frequently during that year while Freddie attended South Boston High School.. Now the United States was involved in the Korean Conflict. Like many of his friends , Freddie enlisted in the Army soon after graduation in 1950.
What followed is another story. Check back!!
May 1, 2009
A Brief History of South Boston, MA.
South Boston is a densely populated neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, located south of the Fort Point Channel and abutting Dorchester Bay. It was formerly known as Dorchester Neck, was annexed to the City of Boston in 1804, at which time the name officially changed to South Boston. Today it is referred to as Southie by its residents. South Boston is well-known for being a tightly-knit, working class Irish-American neighborhood.
Hon’s Story
Where and how it all started was in a little single row house in the “Lower End” of South Boston where the D Street Housing Development now exists. My Mother and Father who worked and saved for this well kept home were presented with a meager check from the Government to take our house and build a public housing project, which originally was intended for rentals to be used by veterans returning home from World War II. Most of our neighbors relocated to another area in South Boston. My birthplace, 84 West Fifth Street was leveled and our great neighbors and friends were scattered. So many wonderful memories, even though I was only 9 when this happened. Our family would now be members of St. Augustine’s Parish after leaving St. Peter & Paul Parish. It was a big change but it was also disappointing to be a distance from St. Peter’s Lithuanian Church which we frequented many times, as it was right across the street from our house, and still remains there.
After attending St. Augustine’s School and High School, which has since closed its doors, I entered the “real world”. I started working in the Office at Carney Hospital and remained there until it moved to Dorchester Lower Mills where it still stands. At the time Dorchester seemed liked the other end of the world, so I got employment at the United States Testing Corporation on A Street and remained until I married my husband, Fred “Twilight” Rooney. With our 55th wedding anniversary coming up this year, it is easy to imagine what could have happened having 12 sons, one of which passed away shortly after birth.
The posts that follow will be a mix of memories, reflections, and stories from the past and present…
Thank you for visiting my blog, check back often for updates.
-Hon
South Boston is a densely populated neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, located south of the Fort Point Channel and abutting Dorchester Bay. It was formerly known as Dorchester Neck, was annexed to the City of Boston in 1804, at which time the name officially changed to South Boston. Today it is referred to as Southie by its residents. South Boston is well-known for being a tightly-knit, working class Irish-American neighborhood.
Hon’s Story
Where and how it all started was in a little single row house in the “Lower End” of South Boston where the D Street Housing Development now exists. My Mother and Father who worked and saved for this well kept home were presented with a meager check from the Government to take our house and build a public housing project, which originally was intended for rentals to be used by veterans returning home from World War II. Most of our neighbors relocated to another area in South Boston. My birthplace, 84 West Fifth Street was leveled and our great neighbors and friends were scattered. So many wonderful memories, even though I was only 9 when this happened. Our family would now be members of St. Augustine’s Parish after leaving St. Peter & Paul Parish. It was a big change but it was also disappointing to be a distance from St. Peter’s Lithuanian Church which we frequented many times, as it was right across the street from our house, and still remains there.
After attending St. Augustine’s School and High School, which has since closed its doors, I entered the “real world”. I started working in the Office at Carney Hospital and remained there until it moved to Dorchester Lower Mills where it still stands. At the time Dorchester seemed liked the other end of the world, so I got employment at the United States Testing Corporation on A Street and remained until I married my husband, Fred “Twilight” Rooney. With our 55th wedding anniversary coming up this year, it is easy to imagine what could have happened having 12 sons, one of which passed away shortly after birth.
The posts that follow will be a mix of memories, reflections, and stories from the past and present…
Thank you for visiting my blog, check back often for updates.
-Hon
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