In memory of Julia Mary Civitano

In loving memory of

Julia Mary Civitano – Bianca 

15 August 1929  ~ 24 June 2018 

There are time’s in ones life when you are blessed to meet a person who leaves such an impression on you that it changes your entire outlook on how to view the world and this was certainly true of Julia for me.

Julia was born to Francesco Civitano (1884 – 1972) and Rosa D’Armiento (1888 – 1963) both of  Grumo Appula, Bari, Italy. Her parents were married in 1908 in Grumo, arriving in New York by 1909, they settled into a new life and began their family.  The last born of  8 children, Julia, joined siblings Angelina (1909), Mary (1911), Louis (1912), Helen (1914), Julia (1917 -1917), Dominick (1920) and John (1922).

At the time of Julia’s birth the family was living at 1129 Croes Ave, Bronx. By then   daughter Angelina had married Sam Vizzo, and daughter Mary had married Anthony Gentile. The entire family was all there together at the Croes address. Living a few doors down was my grandfather Frank Civitano and his wife Katie at 1141 Croes. This was a grand time of intertwined family which I know nurtured Julia’s love for family and her deep faith.

Her father had 5 siblings, Dominick m Jenny Maggio, Julia m Vito Simone, Rose m Dominick Simone, Vincent/James m Anna Plavcsan, and Joseph m Nancy Traini. Joining Julia from this branch of our family was 27 1st cousin’s. Julia’s mother Rosa had 3 siblings, Rita Margherita m Peter Lucatuorto, John m Mary Cirillo and Frank m Rosa Laudo. From this side of the family Julia had 17 1st cousins.

A typical  photo of family all gathered to enjoy life

Julia, my 2nd cousin 1x removed was deeply passionate about everything as well as sharing the love of genealogy with her grandson Peter Marino and myself. I can’t  remember how Peter and I originally connected, it’s been so many years now, but I quickly bowed to his expertise referring to him as Sherlock taking a back seat as his Holmes. But Julia ~ she was our “Ace Photo Detective” We shared many days and hours swapping photo’s and asking Julia to help us with identification of unlabeled photo’s.

Sometime around 2013/14, I had the honor to meet with Julia, Peter and Phyllis in Delray Beach. Surprisingly my adopting mother, Grace lived there too, it was certainly kismet that we all connected. Myself and Grace met with them in an Italian restaurant (of course) for lunch. The impression left on me, even more so on my mom was one of genuine love and the pure joy of life from Julia. The memory of her warmth and caring for my mom (very health compromised) for those few brief hours would see Grace through to her time of passing in 2015. She never stopped talking about Julia and how much she adored her. I can not say thank you enough for the love she brought to my mothers spirit.

I would like to share something Peter wrote to me that captures Julia’s heart and our love of genealogy and this blog.

“The Civitano Family was everything my grandmother lived and breathed for. While my grandmother was the last of the old guard, I feel it is my responsibility to keep her, and all those that came before her, memories alive” ~ 

I have often said ~ we have a responsibility to remember those who have passed before us, without them we would not be, without us to remember, they will not be ~

Julia Bianca, 88

Julia Bianca, formerly a 37 year resident of Pelham, passed away peacefully at home in Delray Beach, FL on June 24, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was 88 years old.

She was born on August 15, 1929 at 1129 Croes Avenue in the Bronx, NY to Francesco Civitano and Rosa D’Armiento who immigrated to this country from Grumo Appula, Province of Bari in the Apulia region of Italy. The youngest of seven adult children, she attended Public School 47, Jane Addams High School, and James Monroe High School. After leaving school, she worked as a clerk at Bonwit Teller before spending over 10 years as a counter for the American Bank Note Company. She met musician Joseph Bianca at Charlie’s Inn in the Bronx and they married on June 7, 1959 in Yonkers, NY. Julia was passionate about her Catholic faith and her family was everything in the world to her. She truly lived life to it’s fullest and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Mrs. Bianca is survived by her daughter Phyllis (Peter) Marino and grandsons Joseph and Peter Marino. She was preceded in death by her sisters Lena Vizzo, Mary Gentile, Helen Hardina, and an infant sister Julia, and her brothers Louis, Dominic (Dick), and John Civitano. 

Photo Courtesy of Marino Family

While those of us left will miss her greatly Julia is now at rest. May love and light surround those of us left. Cousin Julia you were an amazing woman, strong, compassionate, caring, full of laughter and love. Your shoes can never be filled and your loss will always be felt. I am thankful for the short precious moments I had with you in my life time.

Photo’s Courtesy of the Marino Family