Great Grandma AMELIA T0LLA immigrated from Avigliano, Italy to the United States in l906 at the age of 61.  This information was derived from Ellis Island records.  Apparently, she was born in l845.  She was the widow of ANTHONY  TOLLA who was buried in Italy.  Unfortunately, we know nothing about him. Amelia came here with her son, Guiseppe, our grandfather.  We don’t know her maiden name, but we do know that she gave birth to six children.  She died in l928 and is buried in St Mary’s Cemetery in Port Chester, NY.  Her children are: Anthony, who died in a bar fire; Carmella, who married Louis Bracciale; Josephine, who married James Lomiento; Nick, who married Donata Marie name unknown; and our Grandfather Guiseppe (Joseph) .  Click here for information about the above relatives and their families.

GUISEPPE (JOSEPH) TOLLA was born in Avigliano, Italy in l886.  He immigrated to America in l905 at the age of 20  with his first wife (name unknown). She died either of the flu or giving birth and was buried in St Mary’s  Cemetery.  He immediately returned to Italy where he married her sister (?), DONATA MARIE GENERALLA or GENCARELLI.  She was born on 2/6/l884.   He brought her to America along with his mother and eventually brought over his other family members.  Unfortunately for Donata, Guiseppe was very strict about her having any friends or relatives visiting.  Her support system was virtually non-existent except for her seven children.  Donata’s father’s name was VITO GENERALLA and she had fifteen brothers and sisters, but only young Vito lived into adulthood.  It is believed that he was a POW in World War 2 and has relatives in Stamford, Conn. . Guiseppe and Donata’s son, Nick Tolla, said, “ My mother was a great cook and liked to knit. She had to be  tough because she had a hard life with my father.”  It was mainly due to his alcoholism. He was an Estate Caretaker and owned his own home at 50 Edgar Place in Port Chester, NY. He spent most of his time in his backyard shack making wine, , drinking, singing and playing cards with his friends. He had a dog, named Dickie, whom he was very fond of.  Guiseppe died on 3/l7/l96l.  Donata passed away on 7/25/l965.  They both are buried in St Mary’s Cemetery.


As stated, Guiseppe and Donata had seven children, the first of whom were twins, John and Anthony.  They were born on 5/15/1912 but John passed away.  He is buried next to his Grandma Amelia Tolla in St. Mary’s Cemetery.  His gravestone reads J. T0LLA.

  His twin brother ANTHONY JOSEPH (DAD) TOLLA  worked for Empire Brushes in Port Chester as a machinist.  He married his beloved Helen (Betty) Arnold born 3/16/1915 on 4/21/? and moved to what I lovingly refer to as the Tolla Family Compound…105 Midland Ave. in Port Chester.  Many family members followed in his footsteps and started their families in this building (including #103 & #107) that contained 9 apartments.  I remember Betty as being very creative, especially with crafts.  She passed away 1/23/1996.  He and Betty had 4 children and lived on Riverdale Ave. in Port Chester.
     Their first son, Joseph, was born (date ).  He was followed by Jeanne.  She was born on 6/1/1947 and passed away suddenly on (DATE)  Anthony Clifford was born 9/9/1948.  He married Diane Dala, born 9/7/1951 and they have a daughter, Stephanie Irene, who was born 11/5/1987.  Tony and Betty’s youngest child, Michael, was born 9/30/1953.  He married Nancy Matturo born 9/14/51, and they had 2 daughters.  Their first, Danielle, was born on 7/2/1980 and became an angel of the Lord the next day 7/3/1980.  Their daughter Katherine Alexander was born on 8/24/1994.  Anthony Sr. passed away on (DATE)

JOHN TOLLA was named after his deceased older brother.  He was born on 2/22/1915.  He lived his entire life of 86years in his father’s house at 50 Edgar Place in P.C.  He also worked as a machinist at Empire Brushes.  He served his country during World War 2 and had a relationship with his “lady friend”, Tilly Luzzi, for more than 26 years.  It is with much affection that we remember Uncle John. Click here for eulogy by Nick Tolla Jr.  He passed away on 12/17/2001 after undergoing surgery for colon cancer.  He rests in a mausoleum in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

  MOLLY TOLLA was born on 4/23/1917.  She married Thomas Perseo (date)  who worked at a Florida state correctional facility.  Nick uses the adjectives, quiet, shy, and happy when remembering his aunt.  At one point in their marriage, Molly and Tom lived at The Tolla Compound. Tom died on (date) and Molly passed away on 11/14/1998. They had  three children.
     Thomas Jr. was their first child born (date). Joseph was born on 8/28/56 but died tragically on 12/11/92.  Their youngest is a daughter, Marilyn, born on (date).  She married _____Wires and lives in Florida.

NICHOLAS JOSEPH TOLLA was born on 6/29/1919.  He met the love of his life, Marie Antoinette Tolla born 10/24/1919, before becoming an Army Sergeant in World War 2.  He was awarded the Purple Heart and other citations for his part in the Battle of Leyte in the Phillipines.  After the war, they married on June 3,1945.  Nick worked for the Village of P.C. Sanitation Dept. and they started their family at the Tolla Compound, 107 Midland Ave.where they lived for 17 years.  He bought a home at 95 Birch St. in November of 1963.  Ever smiling, energetic Marie (aka Aunty or Ann)  hosted every holiday at her dining room table with John and Marge always present.  Life changed for all of us when beloved Marie passed away from leukemia on 1/28/1997.  Click here for her memorial.  They have 3 children.
     Nick Jr. was born on 5/20/1946.  He married his high school sweetheart, Carole Mack,born 11/2/1946 on June 15,1968.  They have two children…Nicholas Carl was born on 5/30/69 and is married (September 8, 2007 to Vickia Rosado.  Their daughter, Sherilyn Elizabeth was born 10/27/71.. She married David Alan Legeret born 12/7/1970 on 5/18/1996 and had a son Trevor on 12/30/1998.  Donata (Donna) Marie Tolla was named for her Grandma and was born on 6/23/48.  She married Frank Durante (born 12/13/48) on 6/3/1969.  He passed away on 5/25/2002.  They have 2 children: Joseph born 6/15/1970 who married Josephine Mikal on 8/23/1997.  They have a son, Frank Joesph Durante III  born 11/29/1999 and a daughter, Caroline Brynne Durante born on 11/11/2002..  Donna’s youngest son, Frank Jr. was born 12/30/72.  He married Kathleen (Kate) McCarthy on 10/20/2001 and has two daughters, Emma Marie born 9/3/2003 and Maggie Francis Durante (8/2/06) Nick Senior's youngest child is Maryann, born 12/27/1953.  She married and divorced (after 16 years) to Anthony Valbiro.  They have 2 sons: Frank born  4/2/85 and  Anthony born 9/21/87.  She is engaged to Reddick (Skip) Wilson.

     MAE TOLLA was born on (date).  She worked at E.J. Korvettes and married Vito Pace (date) who worked at Empire Brushes.  Mae is the Bingo Queen of Port Chester and Vito’s helping hand and musical talents are well known by the family and community.They own a home on Locust Avenue and have 2 children. 
     Their daughter Kathy was born on (date) and married Mike Gugliano (date).  They have 2 daughters, Michelle (date) and Christine (date).  Their son,  Billy Pace was born (date).

  ROCCO (STONEY) TOLLA  was born on October 6, 1921.  He served in the US Army in World War 2 and married Josephine Santora,( born June 5, 1925) on (wedding date)   Rocky was a happy go lucky guy with a wide smile .  Josephine had a quick wit and great decorating style. They lived in their own home at 23 Cottage Street. She predeceased him on June 1, 1982.  Rocky died of lung cancer on July 14, 1999.  They are buried at St. Mary’s cemetery and have 2 sons.

     Their son John was born June 3, 1950.  He married Linda Bardelli (born November 9, 1953)  on June 22, 1974. They have 2 children, Rocco, born May 12, 1979, and Jennifer, born May 22, 1976.  Rocco was engaged to Jennifer Rico on Thanksgiving, 2007.  Jennifer married Alberto Camacho on October 6, 2006.  Their son, Nicholas Rocco Camacho was born on September 10, 2007.

.  Rocky and Josephine’s youngest son is Joseph, born April 3, 1952.  He married Louisa McCarthy on September 1, 2007. They reside in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

MARGARET TOLLA was born on  / /1926 and was the baby of the family.  She still lives in the house she was born in at 50 Edgar Place that she shared with her brother John.  She retired from Bantam Toys after working __years.  She just informed me, with a hearty laugh, that she has chicken pox at the age of 76?

  Feel free to print this right off our website.  I need help with all the unknown information designated in red.  Any other pertinent info would also be appreciated.  Send it via e-mail to Tollaland@aol.com or to Carole Tolla, PO Box 44, Yorktown Hts., N.Y. 10598.  I will update as the info is received and hope to keep this on the site as long as possible..  I would love to put  family photos below, so send me a copy if you have one.

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