'Greatest city, greatest country' ~ JR

paying homage in month of love and loss

Christophers lived here for 51 years. My brother and I used to run up and down 4 floors and knock on the door of my grandma’s cousin to go in for a visit. All the grownups in the building made a big fuss. My grandparents most of all when we came.

Won’t disclose the locations of the buildings. They’re the oldest on the blocks.

My 4 grandparents and parents lived in these. I want to protect historic roots of America’s ‘greatest city in world’s greatest country’ my father would say. I don't trust developers or visionaries.

Op-Ed (all me)

Hint at location of the Christophers for 51 years. The Vessel monstrosity is an abomination… the highline was unnecessary.

Beninis lived here for nearly 20 years. My parents made out behind that green door. I remember my grandmother (I called her Nonna) used to give me coke in a small wine glass and had a bowl of M&Ms. She also had sweet hugs.

The Benini’s: around the corner from the great Monte’s and Villa Mosconi (two family celebration venues)

I still live in Connecticut but into Manhattan monthly. Would be more but we don’t have a place there.

But we have a lifetime of family memories there and still to the present day one of the most precious Rizzo children is a longtime resident.

Well my reach is short but my heart explodes on those city outings sometimes. I’m lucky Jay is often along and a thousand percent into the nostalgia. He’s indulgent and loves the memories too. Was great friends with Tina and JR. And a New Yorker for a very long time. We all feel the pride.

My roots (2 gen) are in Italy but I’m all American born in Brooklyn and stayed in NY Metro a lifetime by choice amid so many options. Travel out of a city airport and always love landing back. I just do.

I’m paying homage memory to Mentina and JR again. Summer brings dates of loss and one of love.

My father died June 25, 2011 and my mother July 3, 2015. They married on June 13, 1953 at Our Lady of Pompeii with 250 guests in the heart of my mother’s neighborhood. I went to mass there with my parents a few times around their anniversary. I go now to pay homage.

I’ll have masses said at St. Elizabeth in CT.

Mentina (Benini) Christopher (career: St. James Parish, MSBA, (5 Christopher children), Westvaco Paper Co., Cooper Union, Children’s Aid Society, Washington Irving HS.

Anthony (Nicholas) Christopher (career: MSBA, Driver, Shop Steward (Special Olympics volunteer), NYPD (76th), (5 Christopher children), US Army Korean combat (bronze star platoon sgt/unclaimed), Children’s Aid Society, Textile H.S.

Parents help your kids live in New York. If they’re growing up in a NY suburb they want to be there. Help them do it. And make sure they ask the elders (often at the city rec center on 54 between 1/2 where I sometimes workout) for the history of their block. There are countless stories on each. My grandparents spent 51 years on theirs; my other grandparents almost 20. #legacyisforever

I grew up in Brooklyn, Queens and L.I.