Wow, that takes me back...her name was Mary Ann (so long ago I can't remember her last name) I met her at All Star Bowling Alley on Macombs Road. We were in the 10 and 11 year old league. man she was a knock out. When I finally got up enough nerve to talk to her, it turned out she had a boy friend who didn't take kindly to me talking to her. Every time I hear the Four Season sing "Mary Ann", it takes me back!

Bob like you I find these threads interesting. We all came out ofthe Bronx with different memories. I love hearing them. Please keep posting.

I had just gotten out of the Army and went to live with my sister in the Bronx, I had gotten a job in the North Bronx at a grocery store, it was the summer of 1963 that I first saw her standing on the corner singing with a group of girls, she was young, blonde and had the voice of a Angel. For weeks I stand in the dark doorway of the grocery store, listening to her and that group of girls sing, there was something about her that drew me to her, her voice, her looks? It was weeks before I could get up the courage to even talk to her, but one night there she was, walking towards me, I don't even remember what I said, but she stopped and said Hi, don't know what came over me,but I grabbed her and kissed her long and hard, taking her breathe away. She walked away quickly. I thought to myself that I had blown it wtih her, but a couple of days later I saw her again and I walked over and said I was sorry. We talked for awhile, she had the most beautiful blue eyes, her skin was soft and white
her lips round and full, I was hooked, she had to be mine, it was a few weeks till I found out that this young lady was all of 15, I was 21.
By the time I realized the age difference I didn't care, I was in love with my Angel. Still in school I made sure she studied, did her homework, we spent every second together. I'd pick her up from school, go to school dances with her, her singing group was getting popular and she was singing more, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, but being a male, I screwed things up, and after 4 yrs together she left me. To make a very long story short, she married someone else, I married someone else, but I kept tabs on what she was doing, having children, where she moved to, where she was singing, going to her concerts. I never stopped loving her, she was my one true love.

There's more to this story, a sad ending that I had no control over, and to this day I still love her.........

My My Jose, that was an amazing first post you made, a very touching story, I liked reading it, and welcome to the forum.

You sound very similar to the guy who took me out, lol,, but he was 30 when I was 15.

I would like to hear the rest of your story, if you feel comfortable posting it here at the forum.

Jose, please finish the story, it was very good. Yvonne, you crack me up!

Jose, that was the first intelligent and indearing post I have read in a very long time. It is why I joined this board. Please give us some more. Looking forward to hearing more of your memories.

Part II

As I said I knew just about all the news in her life, I had people keeping me up to date on everything, then I got a call that her husband had died, I picked up the phone, hands trembling
what was I going to say to her, would she even talk to me, but I had to try. She was surprised to hear from me, but she didn't hang up, we spoke for about 25 mins. she said that all the anger she felt was gone but the hurt of what I had done would never leave her. I called on occasions such as her birthday just to say hi. My son who was the same age as her daughter moved about 40 miles from her and I went to go see him, I called her and she agreed to meet me, still my angel, still blonde
still those sparkling blue eyes, we spent 2 hrs
reliving our past, and the horror that I caused her, I cried, she cried, I begged her to forgive me, I knew what I had done, would scar her forever. That day changed my life, I vowed to try to make it up to her in some way. Fast forward several years, my marriage which was nearly over, time does strange things to people
they change, and I wanted out. I divorced my third wife and set out to fix the wrongs I had done. But fate, got in the way, my Angel had met someone, she was crazy in love with a married man, I begged, pleaded with her to be careful, she was still singing, doing concerts
in major citites, she was happy, but I was waiting for the fallout. I got a call one day from her, hysterical that he was tormenting her for no reason, he drove her over the edge, someone had to be there to pick up the pieces
the stress triggered an illness that turned out to be terminal, all alone, her boyfriend never acknowledged her in any way, though I know he knew she was ill. I promised I would stay with her so she wouldn't be afraid, she died holding my hand. Her boyfriend, well he never did anything when she died, although he was invited to the memorial service held in the Bronx he never came. I'm not guilty anymore, I did what I thought was right, I still mourn for my Angel.
She was a part of me for nearly 30 yrs, and I know that she watches over me and protects me.

I had a heart attack a couple of months ago, the doctors said it was due to my grieving, I'm on the road to recovery, slowly, my boys are at my side. Still I grieve everyday, a life was cut short for what.........someone's ego, that he could still attract a woman, he is a coward, he should have stepped up, instead he ran like a coward into the night. THE END

Oh My, how tragic.. It's almost like a gothic romance story, so tragic yet so loving on your part. Movies are made of these stories, very heartwarming.

Jose,, just you be careful, you sound like you might be headed down the same path as your Angel. Don't let yourself die from depression, live life and always remember the good times you had, live off your good memories and throw away the memories of bad times.

Jose was her boyfriend's name Johnny Gorman? You don't have to answer is OK! Take care rgds Luis M.

Johnny Gorman was her first boyfriend. They sang together and then they parted ways. Then I stepped into the picture.

My e-mail address is latinlover44@hotmail.com
for futher information.

My first true love was when I was 16-17 a girl I met at the Lowes Paradise by the name of Susan Gober. She lived off of the Grand Concourse behind the Medical Arts Building (I don't remember the street address). We went together for about 2 years and then her parents broke us up because they did not approve of me because I was of the wrong religion. I wonder whatever became of her? That was 50 years ago.
While on the subject, I have a question that someone can maybe help me with: I have this strong desire to go back and visit my old neighborhoods which I have not seen in 40 years.
I started out at 926 Morris Ave. moved to Tremont, Jerome Ave, 198th.& the Grand Concourse, Fordham Rd, 161st $ Melrose and a couple of places I can't even remember. Question is: Should I go back and visit those places and break my heart when I see how everything deteriorated or should I just keep the beautiful memories of growing up in the Bronx and spending the best part of my life there in the early 50's and 60's.???
I do have a strong desire to go back before I die. I'm 67 and live in the mountains of northwestern South Carolina. Is it even safe to go back into those neighborhoods I mentioned??

Steggie, GO FOR IT!...Yes, things have changed a great deal. I just had a friend come back from a 50th HS reunion in the Bronx and he is very happy that he took the opportunity to go back to all the old neighborhoods and take pictures. If you go, conduct your tour during daylight hours and be aware of your surroundings. ENJOY

PS: I am looking forward to taking such a trip back in the not too distant future.

Steggie, I agree with mike, Go for it.

of course things will be different when you go there, but don't think of it as a bad thing, just different.

I can give you a case in reverse.

I lived on the Lower East Side for awhile, the neighborhood was very deteriorated. But I lived there and I had fun while living there, many memorable times were had while living there. Well I recently went back and now the hood is a Yuppie paradise. It's cleaner, richer and a bit more whiter, and the funny thing,,, I didn't like it. I liked the grittier Lower East Side. So, you will find your experience back to the Bronx a bit painful, as I did going back to the LES but you will be able to see some of the good times you had as you walk down the streets. It won't be all that bad.

Of course go back, as everyone said, the place has changed, but your memories are still with you, stand as I did and remember that first kiss, walking up the Concourse with someone special, The Paradise is still there, take a look at the remarkable work they did to restore it, of course Fordham Rd. is not what you remember, but much is still left, go enjoy and close your eyes and remember.

And yes, go in the daytime, it would be much safer. You may leave the Bronx, but the Bronx doesn't leave you.

Thanks for all of your encouraging replies. I plan to go back to visit this August and take my 27 year old son with me. Best wishes to you all. Joe

Joe, we'll be looking forward to hearing about your trip after you return.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mike McWatt,

I go down to my old area all the time. Its better then it was 30 years ago. The buildings in that area are mostly the same; But you will not find old friends down there

Mike- thanks, I will certainly keep you all posted. Joe

dbob-thanks, I certainly don't expect to see old friends, I will be happy if some of the buildings and main memories are still there. I think just being there will bring back a lot of good memories even if the areas (and I know they won't be) are not the same. It will be like saying goodbye to an old friend. A bittersweet reunion not to be repeated in my lifetime.

Hey Steggie I'm from 165th and Sheridan. When I became old enough I would go to Jo-cars Bar and Grill on 165th and Morris or Downeys Bar On Morris between 163rd and 164th of course they are no longer there. I go to Yankee Stadium once a month and always take a walk to the old nabe. It's not like it was when I was a kid but it's better than it was in the 70's and 80's. Like some of the others have said take a shot go for it. Good luck.