Richard Joseph Lerro: 2011

1918-2013

Richard Joseph Lerro was born February 7, 1918, in Philadelphia. His early years were spent in an orphanage outside of town. His maternal grandmother, Justina Camarrotta Lerro, brought him into her family around age 6, and he grew up behind the counter of the family meat market at 1024 S. Ninth Street in the heart of Little Italy. He was surrounded by aunts and uncles who were just a few years older than him. He married Caroline Fusco in 1939 and had a son, Richard Joseph Lerro, Jr. two years later. In 1941 he joined the U.S. Navy and toured the Pacific, serving in the "Sea Bees" in the Philippines, Japan, and Attu, Alaska. He remained in the Navy Reserves into the 1950s. After the war, Caroline and Richard divorced and he moved to Texas where he met and married Myrtle Metcalf Gibson on April 11, 1956. Together, they moved to Dallas and had a son, Richard Marcus Lerro (b. 1958). Rick Lerro worked as a maintenance man for Standard Brands Foods and St. Regis Paper Company before retiring. Myrtle died in 2007. Rick Lerro died January 20, 2013, in Tyler, Texas, with family at his bedside.

Friday, January 25

Catholic Funeral Mass
St. Boniface Catholic Church
318 South Broad Street
Chandler, TX

Wake for Residents and Staff
Providence Park Rehabilitation Center
-Andrea Bocelli (Italian music!), signing memory books, refreshments. A friendly gathering around the piano.

Inurnment is scheduled later this year at Arlington National Cemetery.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Snoozy summer in the Texas heat

Honestly, at 93 there's not a lot of action. Days are pretty much limited to meals in the dining room, naps, small group activities, naps, an occasional visitor, and more naps. Providence Park is an attractive home. It's pleasantly decorated, cool, and comfortable, especially on languorous summer days. There's usually little or no odor. This morning the smell of fresh chocolate chip cookies fills the reception area. The physical therapy room is abuzz with seniors working their arms and legs. Jeopardy is on the flat-screen TV in the lounge. Outside in the atrium an elderly resident with striking good looks and costume jewelry enjoys her cigarette and coffee.

What are his dreams? Childhood in Philadelphia? War in the Pacific? An ordinary life in Dallas? Are there voices from the past?

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Rick's father, Joseph M . Lerro, born May 8, 1896.

This is a WWII registration card with details about Joseph M. Lerro, Rick's father. He was born on this date in 1896 in Philadelphia. Katherine is one of Joe's sisters.

Joe was an Army veteran of World War I and an avid dancer, winning at least one dance contest. He married Catherine Meo, but they lived together only briefly and never divorced. Unlike his many brothers and sisters, Joe had only one child, Richard Joseph Lerro, and had almost no role in raising him.

In the 1963 Joe flew to Dallas Love Field to visit his son and to meet his new grandson. Joe is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Rick celebrates his 93rd birthday

Four generations gathered to celebrate Rick Lerro's 93rd birthday in February 2011.

Pictured: Mason, Siearra, Cauleen, Jacob, Kyle, Rick, Jackie, Ash, Rachel, Jerry, and Marc. Rick's actual birthday was the 7th, but everyone could gather on the 20th. Jackie brought a cake, Marc brought balloons, a card, and confetti. Rick only lasted about 45 minutes and was ready to get back to his room. Afterward, everyone else gathered at Applebee's for a long afternoon of food and conversation.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

WWII Victory Medal

The World War II Victory Medal didn't see the light of day much after Rick Lerro returned to the United States. It joined some other trinkets in a small metal box in Dallas. Life moved on.