2010: JOE DELORENZO, I MISS YOU
Joe and I became fast friends in the early 90's when he made one of his weekly or bi-weekly trips to the library to pick up books for Mrs. DeLorenzo. After I left the Circulation desk at the library and established my Local History workshop in the lower level, Joe would always stop in to say hello each and every time he came to check out books for his wife. He and I would just sit for a few minutes and remember old times. Joe loved to hear my stories about my love of a DeLorenzo tomato pie, as I recalled going to that vintage restaurant way back in the 40's when I became a teenager. I told Joe that it was one of the first places I went on my first date. I also told him how we sat in one of the booths waiting for our pie, and looked around the room in amazement as we saw actual photographs of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, and many other national celebrities who made sure to stop at DeLorenzo's when they were in town to eat a UNIQUE DeLorenzo tomato pie. I told him how my dear wife Judy went there as a teen ager with her girlfriens, always sharing a pie, and how they wrappe up the crust in a napkin to eat on the way home. My memory is a bit dim, but I do recall that "Pat" was one of the DeLorenzo's at the Hamilton Avenue location way back then. The other gentleman's name eludes me. I also recall how recently retired "Ricky D" would answer the phone when Judy called to order one of our near weekly tomato pies. He would do the Cary Grant thing: "Ju-dy, Ju-dy, Ju-dy." About a year or so ago, I came across a clipping while I was digitizing local history for the Library's Local History Collection. It was a photo of a young Joe DeLorenzo during his time serving in the military during World War II. Joe was truly a card-carrying member of "The Greatest Generation." When I gave him the digitized copy of that photo, you would have thought that I presented him with a ten karat diamond. He was truly touched and once again we started talking about "the good old days." Joe, I know you're up there and you hear me. I hope to be up there to see you again, and we can sit down and enjoy a DeLorenzo tomato pie; they are certain to be on the Heavenly menu.
Joe and I became fast friends in the early 90's when he made one of his weekly or bi-weekly trips to the library to pick up books for Mrs. DeLorenzo. After I left the Circulation desk at the library and established my Local History workshop in the lower level, Joe would always stop in to say hello each and every time he came to check out books for his wife. He and I would just sit for a few minutes and remember old times. Joe loved to hear my stories about my love of a DeLorenzo tomato pie, as I recalled going to that vintage restaurant way back in the 40's when I became a teenager. I told Joe that it was one of the first places I went on my first date. I also told him how we sat in one of the booths waiting for our pie, and looked around the room in amazement as we saw actual photographs of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, and many other national celebrities who made sure to stop at DeLorenzo's when they were in town to eat a UNIQUE DeLorenzo tomato pie. I told him how my dear wife Judy went there as a teen ager with her girlfriens, always sharing a pie, and how they wrappe up the crust in a napkin to eat on the way home. My memory is a bit dim, but I do recall that "Pat" was one of the DeLorenzo's at the Hamilton Avenue location way back then. The other gentleman's name eludes me. I also recall how recently retired "Ricky D" would answer the phone when Judy called to order one of our near weekly tomato pies. He would do the Cary Grant thing: "Ju-dy, Ju-dy, Ju-dy." About a year or so ago, I came across a clipping while I was digitizing local history for the Library's Local History Collection. It was a photo of a young Joe DeLorenzo during his time serving in the military during World War II. Joe was truly a card-carrying member of "The Greatest Generation." When I gave him the digitized copy of that photo, you would have thought that I presented him with a ten karat diamond. He was truly touched and once again we started talking about "the good old days." Joe, I know you're up there and you hear me. I hope to be up there to see you again, and we can sit down and enjoy a DeLorenzo tomato pie; they are certain to be on the Heavenly menu.
I loved reading every word of this post Tom:))
ReplyDeleteTom. The memories just keep rolling in with this one. I spent many wonderful days of my youth in Delorenzo's and still swear to this day there is nothing better in the world than a Trenton Tomato Pie. I do not live in the area anymore but within the last year I had a contractor here working on my house. He was from Trenton and just talking to him was a feast in itself. Much to my delight he brought me a DeLorenzo's tomato pie one of the days he was here and I thought I was in heaven. Thanks for an article that recalls such great memories.
ReplyDeleteJudy Bingley Staed
Tom, I worked with Joe for 15 years growing up (full time and part time). He was a great man as are all of the DeLorenzo's. Working for Rick DeLorenzo was about as close to the military as you could get without actually being in the military. DeLorenzo's on Hamilton is the best pie in the country, bar none. Joe D. made a great pie. He never allowed the dough to go through the machine -- everything was hand banged.
ReplyDeleteJerry Foley
JERRY FOLEY! HOW GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU! I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE WORKING WITH RICK JUST A FEW YEARS AGO. MY BEST TO YOUR DAD. I THINK OF YOUR FAMILY OFTEN WHEN I GET TO REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD IN "KAY'S FOLLIES" BACK IN THE 70'S WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE RUG-RUNNER.
ReplyDeleteTOM GLOVER
Yes, and I was annoying everyone during the practices at St. Anthony's and St. Joachim's...
ReplyDeleteAll the best.
Jerry.