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Weekly Bulletin March 6, 2022
by Terrie Evans
On this 1st Sunday of Lent, we welcome members of the Esposito/Metz, Gargano, Morra/Moore, and Prinzo families. Generations of these families have for many years made were a big part of the history of San Antonio Church. The Nobile Esposito family settled at 1994 Queen City Avenue and have been present at our church as members of the Men’s and Ladies Clubs, the Choir and were Committee Chairs for our Golden Anniversary. Rosemary (Metz) and Tony Esposito were the power couple at a time when their direction was needed. Their daughter Barb (Esposito) Ilacqua directed the Choir and played at Sunday Masses for 8 years. We felt honored to have Barbara and she felt honored and humbled on the day she played for the Funeral Mass on December 8, 1968, for a young man from South Fairmount who was KIA in Quang Nam, Vietnam. Army PFC Michael Robert Bach (The Wall of Faces Panel 37 W, Line 60 Inscription: CO A 31 INF 196 LT INF BDE) was a friend to our parishioners Denny Gardner and Gary Dudley who grew up on Biegler Street. Michael (1949-1968) was a parishioner along with his father Peter, mother Garnet and sister Shelia Bach who resided at 2094 Queen City Avenue. On the day of Michael’s funeral, San Antonio Church parishioners and all South Fairmount came to grieve and to show support for his parents. Barbara witnessed other milestones while leading the choir especially when Fr. Fred Serraino celebrated his 1st Mass of Thanksgiving at San Antonio on June 1, 1969. The Esposito family offered up many years of selfless dedication for the good of our church.
The Metz Family have been in the area near the church for many years and resided across the street from the Esposito’s at 2003 Queen City Avenue. Mary Metz along with her daughters, Rosemary, JoAnn, Carol, and Mary Jane were active in promoting our church. It was only natural for JoAnn Metz (1930-2021) to continue and work every day to save our church and sustain the ”healing valley” of Little Italy in the neighborhood she loved. JoAnn attended the South Fairmount Association meetings, worked with the City of Cincinnati Sewer District, and kept our area current while keeping all of us informed. We will always remember JoAnn Metz and her family for all they have done for San Antonio Church and the community of South Fairmount.
The Sebastian and Rosa (Esposito) Gargano Family are part of the Esposito and Metz families and were neighbors to the early settlers on Queen City Avenue: Stevens, Delseno’s, Panaro’s Marckesano’s and Minella’s when their home was located at 2000 Queen City Avenue. There are many good memories of this family and the 6 young children left motherless when Rosa died at 31. All the siblings prospered, married, had families, and shared memories of Grandpa Sebastian, his gardens and the grapes used for wine making. The Gargano men served our country during World War II and Korea and their names are listed on the Military Honor Roll in our Hall.
The Morra/Moore Family members have been involved in church activities for many years with close ties to the Minella and Roberto families through the brothers Louis and Dominic’s marriages. They were early members of our church with young Joseph Moore shown in the group picture after making his Confirmation in 1927. Don, Frank, John, and Louis Moore all served as Officers on Parish Council. One of the most dedicated was Don Moore who had been active until his passing in 2021. Don and Rosemary Moore were a big part of the Golden Jubilee, all the Monte Carlo Night Fundraisers and were witnesses at the marriage of Brigitte to Jean Baptiste in 2009. Don Moore handled many duties at our church and was in the Hall for every Lunch on the House, Spaghetti Dinner and Pizza Party.
The Prinzo family have been with San Antonio Church for over 4 generations. The Vito Prinzo Homestead was located at 1937 Queen City Avenue with Vito pictured on the St. Anthony Welfare Center dedication with son Bobbie Prinzo between Gennaro Palmieri and Pat Galardo. Virginia “Virgie” Prinzo is also listed along with Bobbie Prinzo in the 1927 Confirmation Class picture. All the members of the Prinzo Family were involved in the Men’s and Ladies, all the fundraisers and events. Vito and Virgie (Schiavo) Prinzo had many close friends and family members with Virgie witnessing the wedding of Dena Panaro to her uncle, Silvano Minella in 1913. Butch and Gladys Prinzo had been active for many years and now our church community has welcomed their daughter Cyndi (Prinzo) Fitzpatrick to our Sunday Mass, Men’s, and Ladies Club meetings and all our events.