1994: ROBERT "BOB" IMMORDINO - A TRUE HISTORIAN

The fascinating graphic took some time to re-format and put together. It tells the little know story of the city of Trenton as the very first American city to manufacture spaghetti and noodles. The gentleman's name was Giovanni Baptiste Sartori; a devout Roman Catholic and also instrumental in the founding of St. John's Roman Catholic Church on Lamberton Street in 1714. St. John's ultimately became Sacred Heart Parish at the intersections of South Broad, Centre Street, and Greenwood Avenue. 

Bob Immordino was a dear friend and true student of American-Italian history in the Mercer County area. He was also a viable contributor to Dorothea's House in Princeton. When Bob Immordino, Maury Perilli and I got together at one of our monthly lunches, local history took us well past a normal lunch hour. The aforementioned gentlemen were true local legends in the history of the Italian Americans from the early years. Bob took issue with the term "Italian American," insisting it should be referred to as "American-Italians." I have been using that term ever since.

2012: WHY NOT HONOR OUR CITIZENS WHILE THEY LIVE?

After being referred to as the "Hamilton Township Historian" for all these years, and given the fact that Hamilton Township hasn't created an official position of town historian, I will continue to refer to my passion for local history as an "archivist." That being said, I feel that I am qualified to recognize those who rightly should have worn the formal title of "Township Historian." Such was the case with my dear departed friend, Robert "Bob" Simpkins. Bob's historical knowledge of the Hamilton Township area was superb. He had the knowledge and experience of living and learning as a native of Hamilton Township dating back to the early 20th century right up to his passing on at age 102. The same situation surrounds the story of Mr. Bob Immordino; perhaps the most knowledgeable Lawrenceville area historian who devoted his life to the history of the "American-Italian" experience in the local area.
(I referred to it as "Italian-American" and Bob said, No, we are American Italians, and should be referred to as such.)
Even in his 90-plus years of life, Bob had a razor sharp mind with an incredible storehouse of local history. He was an authority on the the history of Lawrenceville, and Princeton's Dorothea House. I am proud to say that both of these dear departed gentlemen were among my very best friends.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...SPEAKING OF OLD AGE, I HAVE NO TROUBLE RECALLING EVENTS THAT HAPPENED YEARS AGO BUT ON OCCASIONS CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. MOST PEOPLE IN THEIR 90'S HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR MEMORY BUT I CAN SAY I GET ALONG PRETTY GOOD. I HOPE BOB IMMORDINO AND YOU GOOD LUCK IN YOUR PROGRAM OF THE PAST. BEST REGARDS.

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Tom Glover said...

ME TOO AND MOST OTHERS, RALPH. I'M TOLD IT IS A VERY NORMAL GAME OUR BRAIN PLAYS ON US. I'M FINDING IT WHEN I WATCH "JEOPARDY" EVERY NIGHT. I OFTEN HAVE TROUBLE BRINGING FORTH AN ANSWER AND I KNOW THE ANSWER...JUST CAN'T REMEMBER THE PERSON'S NAME, THE PLACE, ETC.

TOM GLOVER

Saturday, January 07, 2012

2009: Lawrence Historian Robert Immordino

tIn my estimation, the above gentleman and very close friend is the "Historian Emeritus" of Lawrence Township, as well as "Historian Emeritus" for the American Italian community. My original library folder was entitled, "Italian-American." Bob tactfully suggested that it be changed to "American Italian." It was and is changed. Bob and I have been very close colleagues throughout the years. He is very active in the activities of Princeton's Dorothea's House, and also an expert on the history of organized labor. I, Bob, and my dear friend Maury Perilli have frequent luncheons together and as you might expect, our conversations revolve around things historic, nostalgic, and ephemeral. Lawrence Gazette photographer Diana Pichardo really captured a splendid portrait of the Bob Immordino we all know and love.